My Dog Keeps Scratching — Is It a Food Allergy?

Signs that point to food allergy

• Itching all year round, regardless of season
• Frequent scratching or licking of ears, paws, armpits or rear
• Recurring ear infections
• Soft stools or frequent bowel movements alongside itching

How does an elimination diet work?

With your vet, you choose a diet based on a protein your dog has never eaten (or a hydrolyzed protein) and feed only that for at least eight weeks while watching the symptoms. During this period treats must match the same protein or the result will be unclear.

What about treats?

During an elimination diet, usually only single-ingredient treats of the same protein are allowed — for a horse-based diet, for example, a treat made from horse alone. Always agree on treats with your veterinarian.