My dog is a picky eater. When i give her her dog food she acts like i am trying to poison her. Eventually she eats. From what i see (her poo) and other health seem to be fine. But is it possible that she is allergic to the food?
Can you get your dog tested - like people can be tested for allergies?
She does lick her feet a lot why is this?
2007-06-08 13:31:10 · 8 answers · asked by iceblendedmochajavo 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
She use to lick her feet a lot. but they never got bloody or even red. now i changed her food and she refuses to eat it. ive tried changing foods, but shes not that old so i havent had time to wait 4 months. but i will try and get her tested ($300 seems reasonable), and try anti allergy foods.
thanks everyone.
2007-06-10 06:03:16 · update #1
I just had my little Terrier to the Vet. today to check on an anal gland infection, it's gone. While I was there I had them check his ear because he scratches it all the time. The Vet. said it looked like an allergy. She checked his feet to see if they were affected, they were not. They did mention it was the time of year and they were seeing a lot of dogs with pollen allergies.
I have a Pit that has food allergies. This is much more of a problem. She would scratch all the time. Had a very bad rash. She is now on a fish and potato diet. I had the allergy test done when she was a puppy, $250.00. It didn't show anything so we went with it being a food allergy.
Try changing the food, she may just not like it.
2007-06-08 16:30:29 · answer #1 · answered by Tin Can Sailor 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dogs can be finicky eaters. That could just be her nature. That is not an allergy issue but a *taste* issue for her. I'm sure you have tried a variety of foods....as has been stated, locate the better foods that do not contain wheat and corn and for many dogs beef and even lamb can be allergens. You could also investigate the premade raw food blends if that doesn't turn you off
And yes allergy testing is available. You can search your area for an animal dermatologist or ask your vet for a referral.
Licking her feet - she could have contact allergies. Does she do this all the time or after she has been outside or on carpet.... you could try wiping her feet with a hypoallergenic cleansing wipe when she comes in to see if that is the issue. Have you obtained new carpeting recently? Changed detergents or fabric softeners for her bedding?
Are her ears involved ie are the ear canals irritated, too? If they are it is more of a systemic allergy but if not, it sounds like a contact allergen. At least to me.
Cindi
2007-06-08 14:11:38 · answer #2 · answered by CINDI T 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes she can be tested for allergies. Have you tried another type of food, since food is the most likely suspect of the allergies if she does have them.
Try to get food that does not contain corn, wheat or glutton in the ingredients, these are a couple of the most common ingredients that pets can be allergic to, so try new food that might help, and licking the feet is not a symptom of allergies that is usually a symptom of anxiety, check to make sure there is not any skin issues going on with your vet first and if there is not any medical reason for her to lick her feet then it is anxiety and you need to find out why she is so nervous, this requires a animal specialist to help you with this, some dogs and cats will lick themselves into wounds and infections all over anxiety so it can be very serious.
2007-06-08 13:38:30 · answer #3 · answered by neva503 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES SHE'S GOT A FOOD ALLERGY!!!! The #1 sign for food allergy is licking feet and chronic ear problems!!! there is a test for allergies but it pretty expensive most dogs are allergic to beef wheat and dairy. try a chicken and rice or lamb and rice and stick with it for 4 months and only give there the diet food( for treats etc) talk to you vet if after 4 months it does not work she may need to go to a prescription diet!!
Good LUck
2007-06-08 13:37:27 · answer #4 · answered by lilprinces7869 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Feet licking can signal allergies. So do ear infections, dry skin, etc. There are a lot of things that can be food related.
Maybe the food she is on causes her to be gassy and uncomfortable?
If she is on a food that has wheat, corn, by products, animal digest, dyes, artificial preservatives and sweeteners, then she may be reacting to one of those ingredients.
Try switching her to a non-allergic formula like the Fish and Chips or Lamb Millet and Rice from Flint River Ranch.
2007-06-08 16:28:38 · answer #5 · answered by libertydogtraining 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She's probably just a finicky eater. Allergies cause redness and itching. Try some different food.
2007-06-08 13:36:15 · answer #6 · answered by Kimber 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The licking of feet is a sign of allergies but not eating isn't. She may not like the food your feeding her
Mention this to your vet and see if they feel she needs to be tested. It's not cheep to have testing done but sometimes it is necessary to find the allergen.
2007-06-08 13:34:42 · answer #7 · answered by ♥Golden gal♥ 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
YES DOGS CAN GET TESTED FOR ALLERGIES YOUR LOCAL VET CAN GET A BLOOD SAMPLE AND SEND IT TO A LAB.THEY TEST FOR FOOD,ENVIRONMENTAL AND OTHER ALLERGIC REACTIONS. IT COSTS @ $ 200-$350.00 DEPENDING ON WHICH TESTS ARE DONE.
MY DOG ALSO LICKS HER FEET SOMETIMES UNTIL THEY ARE FLAMING RED AND OOZY. BEST REMEDY: WASH FEET WITH LIQUID ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP AND RINSE AND DRY,THEN APPLY MONOSTAT CREAM[YES THE YEAST INFECTION STUFF], THEN PUT SOCKS ON DOGS FEET SECURE WITH TAPE, LEAVE ON FOR 1/2 HOUR. OR JUST WASH FEET THEN APPLY WITCH-HAZEL . TRY TO KEEP FEET CLEAN. WATCH WHAT DETERGENT AND DEODORIZERS YOU USE. EVEN AIR FRESHENERS CAN CAUSE FEET TO GET ITCHY. LIGHTER HAIRED DOGS SEEM TO HAVE MORE ALLERGIES
2007-06-08 14:13:31 · answer #8 · answered by dammit debi 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋