Just like humans, dogs can have allergies too. The difference between the allergies your Labrador retriever suffers from and the allergies you may suffer from is your Lab cannot talk to tell you he is suffering. It is up to you as the owner to monitor your Labrador and his behaviors to determine if he is suffering from allergies. One of the most common allergies Labradors suffer from is food allergies.
If you notice your Labrador has lost his shiny coat, is constantly itching or scratching or gets ear infections often, the culprit could be in his food. Some dogs, especially Labrador retrievers, do not have the gastrointestinal ability to process the protein found in many types of dog food. Because it is difficult for owners to determine their dog has an allergy, they keep feeding the same food until the symptoms become severe. As you continue to feed the same food, the gastrointestinal system becomes more inflamed and unable to digest the food properly.
The best thing to do if you suspect your Labrador has a food allergy is to consult with your veterinarian. He will probably recommend you practice an elimination diet. This includes removing any food from your dog’s diet with the current protein you were feeding him. Thoroughly understanding the ingredients of your dog’s current food will help you figure out a different type of food with a different protein to try.
Some Labrador retrievers are severely allergic to most proteins and will require a hypoallergenic food that has the proteins broken
down into more digestible proteins to eliminate the allergic reactions. It may take several attempts to figure out which food will work best with your Labrador retriever’s gastrointestinal system. Your persistence will pay off in the end and leave both you and your Labrador retriever much happier and able to enjoy your relationship.
