Allergies can affect anyone, even pets. Approximately 15 percent of dogs suffer from an allergy. Of them, food allergies are the third most common. Although pet foods are made with quality ingredients, dogs can still become allergic to them. The protein in dog food is the most common trigger factor. Unfortunately, following an elimination diet is the only way to make a reliable diagnosis. Here are the most common triggers of food allergies in dogs.

1. Meat products
Pets can be allergic to any meat. However, beef and chicken are the most common triggers of food allergies in dogs. The allergy develops when the pet eats the meat of the same animal continuously for years. So you need to rotate the meat every week to avoid an allergy. Also, if you are keen on feeding your pet beef or chicken, look for organic ones. Lamb meat is a healthy alternative. It is hypoallergenic as it is not exposed to dairy or wheat products that are the most allergic triggers.

2. Dairy
If your dog has a problem digesting dairy products, it may have lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerant dogs show symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, or gas after consuming milk or milk products. But it could be the symptoms of allergy too! Effects of this type of dog food allergy usually appear on the skin. So to know the difference, look if your dog is rubbing its ears on the carpet, licking its feet, or scratching more often.

3. Eggs
Although eggs are very healthy for us humans, they can cause allergies in pets. It happens when your dog’s immune system reacts to the protein in the egg yolk. The dog may experience symptoms like hives, skin infections, bald patches, vomiting, and wheezing in such a situation. Experts suggest that egg allergy can be determined easily by the elimination test. However, it can take several weeks to determine if eggs are the real cause in some cases.

4. Grains
Grains like corn, wheat, and rice are also triggers of food allergies in dogs. Most dogs can handle grains well, but some experience difficulty digesting them and may even be allergic. The symptoms of grain allergy are similar to the ones we discussed above. Dealing with this kind of allergy can be tricky since many dog foods in the market use grain in some way or the other. If you feel your dog is allergic, immediately check with your vet to confirm.

Food allergies, once developed, may last a lifetime. The best way to control a food allergy is to manage the triggers of food allergies in dogs. You need to monitor and remove specific ingredients from your dog’s food to isolate the triggers of food allergies.