Dogs are said to have a “garbage gut.” A bit of a rude term, but it’s true that dogs can and will eat anything and everything. But, not all human and dog foods are good for them. Some dogs may be allergic to certain foods. In such cases, taking a few dietary precautions is all that is needed to manage the allergies. Here are a few dietary tips for food allergies in dogs.

1. Figure out what the dog has eaten
Puppies are not born with food allergies. But their hypersensitive immune system builds up over time, and food allergies become apparent only after a while. The best way to figure out what a dog can eat and not eat is by food elimination. The first step is to observe whatever your furry one is eating. Also, figure out what they have eaten earlier that may have led to an allergic reaction.

2. Keep track of the dog’s diet
The best way to keep track is to document everything your pet is eating. You can make a spreadsheet that lists all the foods eaten in the day. Make sure to include the ingredient list of all the commercial dog food. If you are giving a home-made diet, add these foods and the ingredients to the list as well. Now, you have a working list of all the foods your dog can eat or not eat.

3. Try out a limited antigen diet
The goal of an elimination diet is to make your dog try out novel ingredients (foods that your dog has not been introduced to). This way, it is easier to figure out non-allergic food. It is usually recommended to start out an elimination diet with one source each of carbohydrates and protein. This is called a limited antigen diet.

4. Give food with fewer ingredients
Most commercial dog foods are labeled as “balanced and complete food.” That is, these foods contain several ingredients. So, it may be difficult to put your dog on a limited-antigen diet with these commercial foods. So, look out for brands that have fewer ingredients and single sources of carbohydrates and protein. This way, it is easier to eliminate the foods that your furry pet may be allergic to.

5. Follow a gradual elimination process
While dogs eat anything and everything, they may not like a sudden change in their diet. So, switch over to the elimination diet gradually. Over a period, substitute your dog’s usual food with increasing portions of new hypoallergenic food. Let your pet get used to the new food slowly. This way, it also becomes easier to observe any changes or allergic reactions that might be the result of the new food.