anatess
Well-known member
- Jul 26, 2011
- 1,758
- 398
- Country
- US
- Bulldog(s) Names
- Bullie (RIP) & Angus (RIP)
There are many factors that cause allergic reactions (itching and scratching an paw licking, etc.) in dogs. Food is not even the most common one. Seasonal factors are the most common - pollen, grasses/weeds, mold, insects, etc. Also, stress can weaken the immune system and cause allergies. And then theres dust mites in the home, chemical cleaners, and the like. And sometimes, an overload of these factors when, individually, they don't have problems with, could also happen.
From the things you recounted, it may not be the food that is causing this. The stress of travel may be a factor or it can be something in the environment. I would look at those first before embarking on a food switch especially since you have observed some success with the current food.
Also, sometimes, a dog who is doing good on a particular food could end up getting allergies on that same food later. But, a month is too short a time for this to develop... More than likely he's always been allergic to that food, it just took this long for the symptoms to surface so the period of good stuff was from the old food - in your case, it's not as likely because he's been on his old food for a while before you noticed improvement.
So yeah, some detective work is needed. My suggestion is to keep him on the current food, lower the stress level (consistent activities daily), provide baths with oatmeal shampoo and try to check with the weatherman if allergens are popping up. If you're in Florida, pollen appeared 2 weeks ago.
Hope things get better soon.
From the things you recounted, it may not be the food that is causing this. The stress of travel may be a factor or it can be something in the environment. I would look at those first before embarking on a food switch especially since you have observed some success with the current food.
Also, sometimes, a dog who is doing good on a particular food could end up getting allergies on that same food later. But, a month is too short a time for this to develop... More than likely he's always been allergic to that food, it just took this long for the symptoms to surface so the period of good stuff was from the old food - in your case, it's not as likely because he's been on his old food for a while before you noticed improvement.
So yeah, some detective work is needed. My suggestion is to keep him on the current food, lower the stress level (consistent activities daily), provide baths with oatmeal shampoo and try to check with the weatherman if allergens are popping up. If you're in Florida, pollen appeared 2 weeks ago.
Hope things get better soon.