[marrktravis]

I took him for his regular check up for shots. He told me my dog clearly has food allergies. I think he's trying to sucker me into putting him on some really expensive food. Is this a common practice in the vet business? How can I know for sure that my dog is allergic? He said if his poop is sometimes soft that I need to change his diet. Anyone with any experience in this area?

[marrktravis]

I took him for his regular check up for shots. He told me my dog clearly has food allergies. I think he's trying to sucker me into putting him on some really expensive food. Is this a common practice in the vet business? How can I know for sure that my dog is allergic? He said if his poop is sometimes soft that I need to change his diet. Anyone with any experience in this area?

[Aurora_Bell]

Yes, most vets would recognize the symptoms of skin allergies, and in fact allergies are quite common in dogs. Most dogs are allergic to wheat products and corn. If you buy commercial foods, check the ingredients, those two products are most likely listed at the top.

I like buying holistic foods, and they generally aren't any more expensive then the commercial ones you buy at super markets. I don't like using the foods at the vet, I personally find them to be over priced anyway. You can add some omega oils into your dogs diet too. I like buying the fish oils, cod liver oil, I can buy a bottle of 160 for about $12.

Is your dog constantly scratching, shaking his head, chewing his paws? If he is having loose stools on a regular basis, it can indicate allergies, as long as you are sure it's not worms. The problem with loose stools, is they aren't cleaning out the anal glands, and they can become infected and very painful for your dog. And then you have to either express them yourself (gag)m or pay someone else to do it.

[tickle]

Your vet has probably given you good advice. How old is your dog? A pup?

Food allergies in dogs are not uncommon nowadays; they are more less susceptible to environmental issues the same as we are. We become allergic at some time in our lives to different nuts, grains, flours, whatever happens to be implemented with different insecticides. What makes you think our animals can't be susceptible as well? My Walker Hound became allergic to 'something', never found out what it was. She became enemic and died with not too much blood in her system. Am I scaring you ? Don't mean to. But you have to be aware that our pets are dependent on us for their health and wellbeing and you should be aware of any advice your vet gives you to take care of your dog and give him a long life with you. So what do you want to do?

I don't think your vet I suckering you into anything. Is he making you buy a particular brand of food from his office? Or is he just telling you should be aware of what you feed your dog to circumvent any health problems in his future.

Can you just listen to what the vet is saying if you want your pet happy healthy and with you for his normal life span.

Do we have experience in this area ? Hell you ? Lots of it. Me for one. Fifty years of caring for my pets under a good vet's advice. Do you know how long they go to vet college to obtain this expertise; 7 years or so all told, plus apprenticeship of probably two years before they get into their own practice.

[Aurora_Bell]

Tick, I've only ever had to do it once, and it was DISGUSTING! I know it's something I need to get used to, but ::shudders:: it was disturbing.

[marrktravis]

Yes my dog shakes his head vigorously and often. Scratches more than he used to, and chews his paws. These symptoms didn't start together but have developed. The vet didn't ask me that. I got the distinct feeling that they were selling the dog food they have there. They offered no other options. Really he did not do a thing but ask if his stool was soft. Now if your considering the question Do I love my dog? Don't do that man. Thanks you Aurora Bell. Do you suggest an alternative to feed him? Ill stop his treat as well. My dog is not a garbage can. He's with me all the time. He has never had people food. The vet suggested potato and rabbit on an 8 week trial. The bags are too small and hard to get with out an rx. This is all news to me. I just want to make a choice that I have researched first

[marrktravis]

Oh and He just turned 2

[Aurora_Bell]

What breed is he?

My dogs both have allergies, it was trial and error to find a diet that worked for both of them. Right now I am feeding a holistic dry kibble with a mix of the B.A.R.F diet (bones and raw foods) They get raw beef and beef bones, wild meat-mostly moose, boar and deer-, and chicken with tons of raw veggies and fruit. I will warn you now, the BARF or Raw diet is extremely time consuming and you need to be dedicated to this decision. It can get costly depending on the size of your dogs too.

Now the easiest solution, in my opinion, would be to switch to a pure holistic diet. I mentioned before that a lot of dogs are allergic to wheat products, in the wild, they would only get this in their diet from eating the stomach's and feces of their prey. For treats my dogs get cut up apple and berries.

I have heard great things about a brand called Blue Buffalo, I live in Canada, so our brands will be different. Weruva is a great food to, as is Canadai, but I think it's harder to find in the U.S.

All the things you describe, the head shaking, the scratching and paw chewing really leads me to believe that it's an allergy. What food are you feeding now?

[Aurora_Bell]

Blue Buffalo — Discover the Best Dog Food and Cat Foods with our Pet Food Comparison Tools

Welcome to Weruva

Here are some links to the foods I suggested.

[marrktravis]

He is a pure bred blue pit . He eats eukanuba brand dog food. Id hate to think he's been allergic all this time. Ill check the links you gave me. I need something he can eat that we won't have to order every week.

[Aurora_Bell]

You can buy large bags of any of the foods I just mentioned. My dogs are bully breeds as well. An Am Staff and a Staffy Boxer mix.

Bullies are notorious for skin allergies, and yes Eukanuba is a commercial brand food, and even though it's amongst the highest in price, it's not the best thing you could feed your dog. Think McDonalds in dog food.

[marrktravis]

OK I think ill check out the blue Buffalo company. They distribute through Petsmart here. Thanks for the help.

[Aurora_Bell]

That's why I'm here :)

[Lucky098]

Wellness and Natural Balance are good foods as well =)

[marrktravis]

Thanks he has stopped itching a small bit but still has some issues

[Aurora_Bell]

Have you tried adding a fish oil to his diet? Omega oils are great and in expensive. Cod liver oil, salmon oil, or a can of sardines in with his food can help heaps too.