Dogs and cats can be easily allergic to a range of foods that go undiscovered until they show the symptoms. Sometimes, the causative agent for such allergies remain undetected and thereby the owner has to put the fur-babies on food allergy tests so that they are able to avoid such foods in the long run. Where this is one of the wisest methods to discover what our dogs and cats are allergic to, it is possible to avoid them directly.

What are the symptoms of food allergies in dogs and cats?
The top food allergies in dogs and cats seem to have almost similar symptoms, which makes it easy to recognize and understand. They are

• Redness or patchiness
• Itchy skin, paws, ears
• Excessive sneezing
• Rashes
• Bad odor
• Skin texture to leathery
• Redness of eyes
• Visible infection in ears
• Excessive fur loss
• Scaly skin or exaggerated oiliness
• Eye discharge
• Visible fungal or bacterial infection
• Vomiting
• Symptoms of diarrhea

These are just common symptoms and might vary from breed to breed.

The top foods that cause allergies in dogs and cats
The foods mentioned herein are known to cause allergic reactions in cats and dogs, so be wary of what you feed them and help them live a healthy life.

• Eggs
  Most dogs are known to show allergic reactions to eggs. Eggs are known to cause one of the top food allergies in dogs and cats because of the protein present in them. Owners of specific breeds are known to directly avoid eggs and are advised to read packaged treats for no egg content in them.
• Wheat
  More common than often, wheat causes one of the top food allergies in dogs and cats. Although it goes undetected most of the time, owners are requested to double-check their allergies before including wheat in their diet.
• Beef
  Beef protein is one of the top foods that cause allergies in dogs and cats. The fact that it is included in a number of packaged dog treats is why it goes undetected primarily. However, this does not mean you should directly avoid providing them beef. A number of dogs can be allowed a restricted diet to reduce such allergies.
• Soy products
  More than the benefits, the health threats caused by the ingestion of soy products make it a mandate for the owners to avoid them as much as they can. These are potential allergens that cause several types of irritation in dogs and cats.
• Dairy products
  Although not particularly an allergen, but most of the dogs show a potential intolerance towards dairy products which leads to health issues and indigestion. In such cases, dairy products can be considered among the top food allergies in dogs and cats and, thus, should be primarily avoided.

The top food allergies in dogs and cats can be caused by anything. In most cases, the allergic triggers are often deliberately introduced in order to understand what causes them. Once identified, such foods should be avoided at all costs.