Allergies and Food Allergies

Allergies: Dogs, like humans, may be allergic to some plants. A dog taken to an area where different grasses grow to those to which he is accustomed, may show an allergic reaction and appear to be covered with small bumps under the coat. He may also scratch and show other symptoms of discomfort. Returning the dog to its own environment may be the only treatment needed, and the allergy symptoms will recede after a day or so. In severe cases medical treatment may be needed. Some dogs develop allergies to food, especially the commercial foods that have artificial colouring matter added. If this happens, changing the diet to a natural diet, or changing to a brand of food that does not contain colouring matter, will be beneficial to the dog. One of the signs of food allergy is that the dog will have coat problems spreading from the root of the tail forward up the back to about half way up the back. The coat will become thinner than elsewhere and the dog will constantly be biting or scratching the area affected. The coat in the affected area may have a slightly oily feel, and also tend to be more upstanding. Some veterinarians will diagnose the condition as a flea allergy, but no amount of daily baths and dipping of the dog will cure the condition, only a change of diet will help.