The third most common cause of allergies seen in cats and dogs is food
allergies. Those allergies account for about 10% of all the allergies
and is only preceded by flea bite allergies and atopy (inhalant
allergies). By feeding their pets a lamb and rice diet, many pet
owners feel that they are avoiding pet food allergies, but that
couldn't be farther from the truth!
According to the Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs.
Foster and Smith,
"The entire process of a pet being sensitized to a particular agent in
food and the complicated antibody response that occurs in the
intestinal tract in pets with food allergies are not very well
understood. Despite our lack of understanding of the actual disease
process, there are many things that we do know including the symptoms,
how to diagnose food allergies, and also how to treat them."
Food allergies commonly occur between the ages of 2 to 6 years, but
have been revealed as early as five months and as late as 11 to 12
years of age. Food allergies have an effect on all animals, whether
they are male or female or neutered or intact, in the same way. They
affect both cats and dogs. There has been no sturdy link among
specific breeds and allergies. Coexisting inhalant allergies or
contact allergies can be found in many animals with food allergies....

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