I'm sure that if you are a devoted dog owner you are always on the lookout for any signs of discomfort.  If you notice your dog constantly scratching or biting at parts of his/her body you more than likely will think that the cause of the discomfort is fleas.  But if after treating your dog the biting and scratching continues, you may be dealing with an allergic reaction.

Just like us humans dogs can be allergic to many things.  Since our dogs can't tell us what the cause of the reaction might be, we may have to go through a somewhat lengthy procedure of narrowing down the culpret.  If the allergic reaction is not being caused by flea bites or an external stimulus, more than likely it is being caused by the food you are feeding your dog.

Dogs develop allergies to certain ingredients in food over a period of time.  It can be difficult to pinpoint especially if you have been feeding your dog the same food for years.  After a period of time a dog's immune system will have an accumilation of antibodies that will eventually cause an allergic reaction.

The problem with food allergies in dogs is that they are often suffering from more than one allergy. Many times after the changing of the food a dog will still be scratching and biting because the ingredient causing the reaction is still in the food he/she is eating.

In order to find the true source of the allergic reaction some extreme steps must be taken. First and foremost all other possible causes of the symptoms must be eliminated. Then the dog should be put on what is called an elimination diet. This diet should be made from food your dog has never had before and consist of a single source of protein and a single source of carbohydrates. This diet should be administered for about three months.

It is a good idea to first consult with your veterinarian before starting an elimination diet. He may suggest a certain dog food brand or may just recommend that you use a homemade dog food recipe. During this period dog treats, chew toys and the feeding of leftover table scraps must be avoided. As much control over the diet must be employed if it is to be successful.

If you should decide to make your own dog food you should follow your vets guidelines for proper dog food nutrition. It may be necessary for you to add certain supplements and vitamins to maintain your dog's health.

If your dog's symptoms improve during this elimination diet then you know that it was an ingredient contained in the food he/she was eating. If the symptoms continue then the cause is elsewhere and you may return your dog to his/hers regular diet.

With the amount of artificial ingredients and fillers found in dog foods allergic food reactions are very common. Unfortunately finding the root cause can be a long arduous process for both you and your dog. Knowing what you are feeding your dog can help prevent much undo hardships.