A Goldendoodle is a breed of dog that comes under the umbrella term of “designer dogs.” The breed is the result of crossing a Doodle with a Golden Retriever. Besides, like other designer dogs, the breed is not a pure breed. In fact, it is a crossbreed. Indeed, the breed has become very famous in recent times. Although, just like any other dog breed, there exist many Goldendoodle food allergies.
Therefore, the article primarily focuses on the Goldendoodle food allergies. It also contains info regarding the symptoms and how to treat them.
Goldendoodle Food Allergies
First of all, what is an allergy?
An allergy is a natural reaction by the body, caused by either external or internal factors. Besides, these factors that cause allergies are known as Allergens. The external factor may include pollen or dust. And, internal factors are many, such as those caused by food intake.
Dogs are allergic to various types of food. Take, for instance, typical food items like beef, eggs, or other meats such as pork. Besides, wheat, fish, and dairy can also be the cause of the allergy. Also, it is common for Goldendoodles to be allergic to more than one food item.
Besides, it does not matter if you have been feeding your dog the same diet. One day you might find out that your Goldendoodle is allergic to it. Also, the chances of this taking place are pretty high. It is because your dog may develop an allergy to it much later in life.
Also, it is no wonder that a lot of allergens come from your dog’s protein sources. It could be the chicken or any other meat or even eggs that you fed your dog last night.
You might be surprised to know that even grain such as wheat, barley, and even rice can be one of the allergens. Other such grains like oats, corn, and barley may also cause allergies.
Another vital thing to keep in mind is that your Goldendoodle food allergies are different from food intolerance. Besides, a food allergy is because of an attack on your dog’s immune system by an allergen. It triggers a reaction by the immune system as it fights the allergen, which results in an allergy. However, it is not so when it comes to food intolerance. With respect to food intolerance, it is simply your dog not being able to process the said food. Also, this may result in severe reactions such as diarrhea.
In general, developing an allergy to grains is quite uncommon. However, if you expose your dog to a lot of wheat or barley in its diet, it is possible to form an allergy to it. It is because wheat has a very high protein content in it. Thus, it is not that wild for your dog to trigger an allergic reaction.
Do not be alarmed to know that your Goldendoodle may be allergic to grass or even pollen too. Since dogs are curious, they may end up eating grass, taking it as something to be eaten.
Besides, your dog may even inherit some of its allergies from the parents. It is also possible for your dog to trigger its allergies from soaps and shampoos. Allergies may also arise through fleas.
Thus, it is clear that there might be a dozen reasons for your Goldendoodle food allergies.
Common Food Items That Triggers Allergies in Dogs
- Beef: You have been feeding your dog beef as its primary source of protein. Then, you wake up to find out that your dog is acting weird. It happens because beef, in particular, is the most common protein source in the food for pets. That is why the chances of your dog developing an allergy are higher.
- Dairy: Symptoms could be diarrhea or gas, and even vomiting. Although, what’s tricky here is that even a true food allergy has the same symptoms. It is different from Lactose Intolerance. Food allergy shows on the skin, whereas the latter leads to indigestion.
- Grains: Just because dogs getting allergic to wheat, for instance, is not common, that does not mean it cannot. In fact, your Goldendoodle can get allergic to it.
- Eggs: An allergy to eggs is a reaction by your dog’s gut to the yolk’s proteins. Since eggs are not generally a part of a dog’s diet, it is easier to avoid them.
- Chicken and Lamb: It is the same with chicken as it was with beef. The best way to avoid it is to rotate the diet.
- Soy: With this particular item, it may cause more than just allergies in dogs. Soy or Soy-based products may cause severe health issues in dogs. For instance, liver and thyroid problems or hamper growth and even affect your dog’s sexual health.
Symptoms of Goldendoodle Food Allergies
There is a direct relation between the food and the type of symptoms of your dog. For humans, food allergies are a prevalent thing. Although, for new pet owners, it might be something very tricky to deal with. Therefore, for those of you, rest assured. Just as it is with humans, so it is with dogs too. Thus, let us look into the symptoms and prepare you to deal with your Goldendoodle food allergies.
Given below is a list of the most common types of symptoms:
- Snoring
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Vomiting
- Watery eyes
- Nausea
- Bald spots and hair loss
- Itchiness on either paws or ears, and even on the skin
- Coughing
- Crusty skin, hives, or scales
- Your dog keeps on licking its skin
- Inflammation
- Red spots on face, paws, ears, or lips
Some of the rarer types of symptoms are:
- Infections near and around the urinary zone: It happens because the bacteria on the skin overgrows.
- A severe weight loss
- Instances of seizures
- A lot of discharge from its nose
- Your dog may be finding it hard to breathe normally.
The symptoms not only include the ones mentioned above. It could also show through a change in your Goldendoodle’s behavior. These symptoms are for sure on a much rarer side.
- Lethargy: Your dog might not want to play as much as it used to. It might become less active than usual.
- Your dog may constantly be feeling restless.
- The dog might become anorexic. It might refuse to eat or be less drawn to food.
- Scratching its skin on rugs or furniture
- It may frequently be shaking its ears or feeling fidgety.
- It may become more prone to bite itself, mostly around its tail or ears, or even paws.
The areas on your dog’s that are most likely to show symptoms are:
- Eyes
- Paws
- Ears
- Leg area
- Inner thigh
- Belly
As far as food allergies go, the symptoms are almost immediate. Besides, if they don’t show as quickly as you might have thought they would, it will by the next 24 hours. In most cases, the symptoms will either display on the skin. While in others, it will be a gastrointestinal issue. The related symptoms are:
- Your Goldendoodle might be feeling pain in its abdomen area
- Vomiting is mostly a clear sign
- Diarrhea: The stool may or not has blood
Surely, it does not end there. If left untreated, it will lead to much more severe complications. Goldendoodle food allergies may, in turn, help in building up even more allergies. Thus, leading to a very sad and painful time for your dog.
What is the Diagnosis for Goldendoodle Food Allergies?
It’s a complicated problem, but allergies in dogs are usually passed down from their parents. However, the climate can also induce allergies.
If your dog is showing allergy symptoms, it is most likely not due to a diet change. Most dogs are already consuming that offending allergen for at least two years. Also, it takes time for our dog’s body to become sensitized to a non-allergenic food before they respond to it. It’s not due to a sudden reaction to a new food.
Most clinical signs are first noted when the dogs are at least two years old. It is due to the fact that they would have been exposed to the allergen for at least two years. Besides, when your dog is just six months old, it’s unlikely that it has a food allergy. Parasites are most likely to blame. It’s also more than likely a pollen allergy if your dog is older than a year.
Treatment for Goldendoodle Food Allergies
Food allergies account for about 10% of all dog skin allergies. And the greatest percentage of food allergies for dogs come from protein. Also, beef, chicken, and dairy are the most common causes of food allergies. However, food allergies are just one of the causes of itching in dogs. Thus, to successfully treat and handle them, you must obtain the correct diagnosis.
Hypoallergenic trial
To diagnose your Goldendoodle’s food allergies, they will need to have a diet or a hypoallergenic trial.
- Switch them to a diet with a new protein
- Feed your dog with only one vegetable protein and one carbohydrate source
- The food trial should last for a minimum of six to eight weeks
- Do not let your Goldendoodle consume anything other protein or treats during the test.
- If there has been a positive result, reintroduce the old diet
- If the allergies return, it is likely due to food allergies
- Examine the ingredient list of the old food
- Create a food diet that excludes the main protein and carbohydrate source
Besides, you may also put them on a hydrolyzed food trial during the treatment. Also, it requires going through a list of potential allergens. Check them one by one to see which ones cause symptoms and which do not.
Benadryl
Secondly, address the underlying symptoms. In fact, the body of your Goldendoodle would be responding to an allergen that it can no longer eat. Thus, it could cause secondary inflammation. Also, it can cause ear infections, skin infections, and hair loss. You must lessen your dog’s inflammation. Also, handle the presenting issues with care.
Besides, Benadryl can be used to treat allergies. Anti-itch shampoos and ointments can help subside rashes. However, before using any drug, we suggest that you consult your vet.
Flax/Fish Oil
If your dog has an allergy, you should boost his diet with fatty acids. A highly concentrated dose of fatty acid can help to lessen down the swelling. When your dog absorbs an allergen, it is broken down and spread around his body. Your dog’s immune system would attack the allergen, which causes rashes. Thus, Flax oil relieves itching and soothes rashes.
Vegan Based Dog Food
Use Vegan food if your dog is allergic to a variety of meat proteins. But despite their meticulous formulation, they are deficient in essential nutrients.
Homemade Food
The majority of professionals recommend feeding homemade dog food. Not only are they fresher, but you also know what’s in them. Thus, when cooking the food, you can avoid any type of possible allergens mixing into the food.
How much does a food allergy test cost for dogs?
Although it varies from clinic to clinic, allergy testing ranges typically from $200 to $400.
The following are examples of typical research costs:
- Skin Test: Skin testing is a treatment that involves pricking the skin and checking for any potential allergic reactions. Besides, it is usually handled by a veterinarian who specializes in pet dermatology. Thus, you should expect to pay about $200 on average.
- Blood Test: This test does not require the use of a specialist. A typical veterinarian can handle it. Also, the cost of a blood test will range from $200 to $300.
- Diet Trial: This test is the most time-consuming, but it is also the most precise. Besides, canned hypoallergenic dog food usually costs $15 to $55, and dry dog food costs $30 to $130.
- Furthermore, the cost of the test, sedation, and allergy shots can vary depending on the medications and the size of your dog. Before you test, ask for the prices from your veterinarian.
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