Allergies

An allergy develops when a foreign substance (allergen) activated the immune system. When your pet (dog or cat) is suffering from an allergy, it means that their immune system is under attack, and that its been compromised to the point that their immune system is overreacting to a substance. 
Stress can compromise the digestive system thus creating a compromised immune system. 

Allergy symptoms often appear on cats and dogs skin and coat since they have very few sweat glands and are less efficient at secreting toxins thus turning their skin into an allergy signboard. 

Dermal Responses:

• runny, goopy eyes
• excessive hair loss, bald spots, dull and brittle coat
• inflamed ears, chronic ear infections
• excessive body odor
• biting, chewing, constant licking
• irritated rear end (anal glands, genitals)
• hot spots
• discolored skin

Digestive Response

• diarrhea
• constipation
• vomiting

Allergies are divided into two categories: 
1. Food
2. Environmental/Seasonal 

Environmental

These type of allergies can be caused by air pollutants and pollens (inhalants), or by contact such as insect bites, household chemicals, plastics, fabrics and so forth. 

Food

Food related allergies are a guessing game, just like environmental. The most common type of food related allergens are:
1. Chicken
2. Grains
3. Potato (yeast)

To figure what it is exactly, we first look at the type of food you feed your pet. If its predominantly chicken based, its usually suggested to start off by eliminating all chicken protein. Sometimes its easiest to right off the bat eliminate chicken and grain and/or all 3 sources.

The Elimination diet - is the easiest way to go. Eliminate all typical protein sources, and go very basic or even better - feed a raw diet. Feed a fish type food, or a hypoallergenic type protein (venison, bison, duck, rabbit, lamb, kangaroo, etc). 

Treats 

When trying to pinpoint what the allergen is, its a good idea to look at your treats you feed as well. Eliminating the common sources of allergens in your treats are a great idea. 
Try feeding: Broccoli, carrots, salmon skin rolls or raw bones

**If you suspect that your pet has some type of allergy, talk with your vet. Not all allergy symptoms are food or environmentally related and can mean that something more serious could potentially be going on. 

Seeking out the help from your vet is a great option because sometimes a seasonal allergy is best helped by prescriptions for your vets office. Certain human OTC allergy medications are approved to be used on your pets, however always make sure from your vet on how much to give.

Here is a list of some fantastic foods for Allergies

• Canine Caviar Grain free line is all potato, chicken, grain free. Very Limited ingredients
  

• Natural Balance  Limited Ingredient Diet
• Acana 
• First Mate Limited Ingredient Diet 
• Natures Harvest Duck and Potato
• Many Raw Diets