There are four allergy myths that many Guardians believe…

Myth #1: Food allergies most often produce gastrointestinal symptoms because it’s the intestinal tract that is exposed to the allergen.

Fact: The most common symptom of a food allergy is itchy skin.

Myth #1: My dog’s symptoms can’t be the result of a food allergy because he’s been eating the same food for years.

Fact: Food allergies take a long time to develop. The immune system has to be exposed to the allergen over a period of time develop enough antibodies to trigger an allergic reaction.

Myth #3: Soy and corn are the most common food allergens so stay away from foods containing these ingredients.

Fact: The most common food allergens for dogs are beef, dairy and wheat. These three ingredients account for about 70 percent of canine food allergies.

Myth #4: If it looks like my dog has a food allergy, I can just switch to a different food to solve the problem.

Fact: Unfortunately, many pet foods contain similar ingredients so by simply switching to a different pet food, your dog will likely be exposed to the same allergens. To address a food allergy, vets suggest conducting a food trial by feeding a special diet — containing a protein source your dog has never eaten before such as venison, duck, kangaroo or rabbit — for a set period of time then reintroducing the original diet to see if it’s the cause of the allergy.

—Source: Dr. Wendy C. Brooks, DVM, DipABVP, Educational Director, VeterinaryPartner.com.