Dogs, cats, birds, and other pets have allergies to foods, just like people. Millions of owners fuss and fret over their animal’s symptoms and some people suffer right along side them. Sores, rash, dry itchy skin, flaky skin,, hair loss, stiff fur, chewing on the feet and stomach upset are the most frequent symptoms and they can belong to a number of maladies, but allergies usually encompass them all.

The sores and rash are later accompanied by secondary skin infections and infected eyes and ears. Usual treatment calls for antibiotics, possibly a shot to stop the intense itching, and depending on the severity, steroids. These vet visits and medications are not cheap and animals don’t normally like taking pills. The best bet for them and your wallet is to figure out what the allergy is.

Find the culprit

Figuring out an allergy isn’t easy. You may omit one food and the pet gets better, but that rarely happens. It can take weeks, even months, but it’s worth it and there are certain foods that are likely culprits to start with. Corn, wheat, oats and glutens are potential allergens to dogs, so start by reading labels and choosing dog foods that don’t contain those and then give it time for the allergic reaction to stop.

If the reaction stays the same you can guess the allergy is not those, or that these are only two of many ingredients causing it and you need to investigate further. It’s a slow process, but it can mean the difference in your pet’s quality of life, and in yours, too.

One woman in Portland, Oregon has an allergic black lab, below you can see photos of him. It took her five years to figure out all the allergens her dog reacts to, but he lives an itch-free, happy life, now. In the end she took her dog off all store-bought items and began to make his food and treats at home, controlling exactly what goes into his diet. It was simple enough; one pound of meat and an equal portion of vegetables (but not corn) cooked together and divided up into ‘meals’ throughout the day. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to just adopt this diet right away, saving you and the dog time and quality of life, but you’ll have to be okay with never knowing what the allergen(s) was.

A Recipe For Cat or Dog Treats

Pets need treats, too. Below there’s a simple recipe they’re likely to love. When choosing a recipe for an allergic animal, choose the ones with the fewest number of ingredients, meaning the fewest potential allergens.

Liver Cookies
1 pound of beef or chicken liver, liquefied in a food processor or blender.
2 - 3 cups instant mashed potato flakes

Mix the liver and potato flakes together. Start with two cups of potatoes and add more if needed, mixing easily to a dough-like texture. Spread onto an oiled baking sheet in a layer half an inch thick. Bake at 375 for twenty-five minutes. While hot, cut into squares for dogs and small bits for cats. Cool before serving.