Fleas aren’t the only reasons dogs may be constantly scratching their itchy skin. Allergies can cause skin irritation as well. Just as with people, dogs are most commonly allergic to pollen, dust — and food, which accounts for around 15 percent of allergies in both dogs and cats.
If you suspect your dog has a food allergy — the usual symptom is severe itching, and some dogs also have gastrointestinal problems — visit a veterinarian. Your vet will examine your dog and “will probably recommend skin or blood tests, or a special elimination diet, to find out what’s causing the allergic reaction,” according to the ASPCA. (Years ago, through this process of eliminating foods, we discovered early in his life that our dearly departed Pit Bull, Larry, was allergic to chicken.)
The following cool and comprehensive infographic, created by Ghergich & Co. for Petco, provides lots of information about food allergies for both dogs and cats, as well as tips for how to start an elimination diet.
Photo credit: Donnie Ray Jones