Food Allergies in Pets
Seeing your beloved pet suddenly choking and gasping for air and having no idea why is such a terrifying feeling. Food allergies are very common in both dogs and cats and trying out new food or your pet finding their way into your kitchen and gobbling down food meant for humans are two common reasons for such allergies. Knowing that your pet is showing signs of allergies is the first stage of treatment. Here are the symptoms and triggers for food allergies in pets. Watch for these symptoms every time you introduce a new food to your dog or cat. Itching One of the symptoms and triggers for food allergies in pets is itching caused by proteins in the food given to them. This protein triggers an immune response in the pet, which causes the body cells to release a compound called histamine. This compound causes the itchiness. If there is a food allergy, your dog or cat will constantly itch or lick their body or keep rubbing against rough surfaces for some relief. Itching occurs about 80% of the time in the ears. Skin rash Another common symptom of a food allergy is skin rash. Even human beings suffer from skin rashes if they consume food they are allergic to.