Learning about symptoms of canine illnesses is very important. Food allergies are among the most common problems in dog health and can be intensely frustrating for you and your canine. Being aware of what your dog is going through can help you look for solutions. Here are some of the common symptoms of food allergies in dogs. 

1. Chronic ear inflammation
If you’ve ruled out yeast infections and ear mites, yet you find your dog adamantly scratching its ear, it’s probably a sign of food allergy. More than three vet visits a year for ear infections are a sign that there’s a problem with your dog’s diet. Ear infections manifest as smelly, brown, or black spots and persist despite frequent cleaning. Your dog might keep shaking their head often due to irritation.

2. Gastrointestinal problems
Naturally, when talking about food allergies, there is no escaping digestive symptoms. Smelly chronic gas problems are easy to notice. Your puppy might also be scratching under its tail. Stools are another indicator of food allergies in dogs. If your canine friend is experiencing vomiting and diarrhea, it’s a sign you should take a closer look at their diet.

3. Red nails
You can’t see it in all breeds, but dogs with white nails may show reddening. Nail beds are naturally white or pink, but when the immune system receives a shock, for example, exposure to an allergen, the nails become sensitive and turn red. If you find the paws looking bloody or your dog licking their nails, it is perhaps wise to consider the possibility of a food allergy.

4. Skin and hair
Constant itching is a tell-tale sign of allergies in dogs. The itching may be so intense that hair might fall off in patches. It is possible that the skin, wherever exposed, often in the belly, becomes pink, dry, and inflamed. Your puppy or dog might even lick the region constantly. If you’ve eliminated the possibility of environmental allergens such as shampoos, pollen, and fleas, it probably is a food allergy. When a food allergy is the cause of itchiness, over-the-counter anti-itching products have no effect. The coat might also lose its shine and look dull. 

5. Discoloration around the lips
Like with nails, this symptom is more noticeable in breeds with white fur. The lips might be pink and inflamed, and your dog might try to scratch it as well. However, rule out yeast infections and sunburns before thinking about food allergies.

6. Sneezing
Like with human allergies, excessive sneezing could indicate your dog is allergic to something like some food. Continuous sneezing might be accompanied by runny eyes and noses and sometimes even wheezing.

When any or many of these symptoms manifest, it’s definitely time to visit the veterinarian and take a good and closer look at what you are feeding your pet. Though most dogs communicate love with just their eyes, communicating their discomfort is more challenging, and thus you must pay close attention.