Are Labradors allergic to chicken

Labrador Allergies: Causes And Treatments

Dog allergies come in many different types. Finding the cause and deciding on the right treatment can be difficult. We are here to help. In this article we will help you identify the problem and decide on the best treatments to make your Labrador Retriever comfortable.

Types of Labrador Allergies

Labrador Allergies. Oh, those pesky allergies. Even though Labrador Retrievers are predisposed to various health conditions, allergies are probably one of the most frustrating to have to deal with. Dogs can develop allergies at any stage in their life. Any dog can develop one or multiple of the following types of allergies:

• Environmental/seasonal allergy
• Food allergy
• Flea allergy

Allergies in dogs usually cause incessant itching. However, depending on the cause of your dogs allergy, the symptoms can vary. In the article below, well discuss the different causes of labrador allergies. Well also discuss what symptoms you may see if your dog is suffering from seasonal verses food verses flea allergy, along with available treatments for each.

Its important to note that there is not a cure for labrador allergies or allergies in any dog. All of the treatments available are aimed at decreasing the intensity of the allergy and managing it. But nothing developed, as of yet, will truly cure it.

Environmental Labrador Allergies

Anything and everything from inside the home to outside the home can cause environmental allergies. The following things inside the home can cause allergies in your Labrador Retriever.

Causes

• dust mites
• air fresheners
• candles
• shampoo you may bathe them with
• laundry detergent you may wash their bedding in
• cigarette smoke
• mold
• cat or human dander (yes, your dog can be allergic to you)

Things outside of the home that can cause allergies include:

• pollen (all kinds and any kind!)
• grass
• trees
• hay/straw

Some Labradors can suffer from environmental allergies all year long. Others have particular seasons that are worse for them. Its actually not uncommon for labrador allergies to be worse in the winter months.

Symptoms of dogs with seasonal allergies:

• Itching all over the body
• Licking in between the toes
• Itching only during certain seasons or times of year
• Runny nose
• Watery or itchy eyes
• Itchy ears
• Frequent skin and/or ear infections

Treatments

If you are not able to get in to your vets office right away, you can try giving them some Benadryl (generic version is fine). Make sure its regular Benadryl and nothing with a decongestant in it. Dont ever give your dog Benadryl-D or any anti-histamine with a decongestant in it, as these are very toxic to dogs. Here is the dosing:

Once you are able to take your Labrador to the vet, the following are some things they may recommend.

Itch-Relieving Medications

For some dogs, anti-histamines, such as Benadryl, just dontcut it to relieve their itch. Stronger prescription medications are needed. Thesemedications can come in either injection or pill form. Based off of your petsexam and their medical history, your vet will prescribe which one may best suittheir needs. Here is a list of some of the medications that are available:

• Apoquel (safe to use long-term as needed)
• Prednisone/prednisolone (a steroid, so usuallyjust used for short-term relief)
• Temaril-P
• Cytopoint
• Atopica

If your dog is experiencing dandruff, be sure to check out our article on dog dandruff. We cover the treatments for dandruff in that article.

Antibiotics

If your itchy Labrador has scratched so much that they are starting to lose fur and their skin looks really red, they may have a secondary bacterial infection. Your vet will prescribe antibiotics for this.

When your dog has allergies that cause itchiness in their skin, there is a break down in the normal skin barrier. This allows your dogs normal skin bacteria to over-produce and invade the skin barrier, contributing to the itchiness. These bacteria are not contagious to other dogs.

Anti-Fungals

Anti-fungals are used to treat secondary yeast infections. Many dogs with allergies have an overgrowth of yeast on their skin (or in their ears). These happy yeast organisms over-produce for the same reasons mentioned above about bacteria. They just like to take advantage of the havoc going on within your poor dogs skin.

Allergy Testing

If labrador allergies have your dog suffering all year long, or if their itching is intense and not controlled well with the above medications, your vet may recommend allergy testing. This will let you know exactly what the culprit allergen is that is causing all your dogs problems. Your vet can obtain a blood sample and send out to an allergy lab. You will get a full report back with everything your dog is allergic to.

The purpose of allergy testing is to develop specific allergy shots for your dog. Based off of the allergy test results, the lab can prepare the right mixture of all the things your dog is allergic to. They prepare them in small enough amounts to desensitize your dog to the allergens. Its sort of like a vaccine, actually!

Just understand that allergy shots will not completely get rid of your Labradors allergies. They will simply decrease the intensity of the symptoms your dog has during their peak allergy season. They will also decrease the amount of other medications your dog needs to relieve their symptoms.

Food Labrador Allergies

Ingredients in food; usually the protein source, such as chicken, pork, or beef can cause food allergies. Other ingredients that could cause food allergies are the carbohydrate source (potato, rice, or corn), or even a food coloring/dye.

Causes

It can be extremely difficult to identify the exact food that is the cause of Labrador allergies in a dog. Observation and testing will be key at this point.

Symptoms of Labrador allergies caused by food:

• Itchy ears
• Hives
• Anal gland problems (abscess, impactions,fistulas)
• Itching all year long (no seasonality to it)

Treatments

If you suspect your dog may have a food allergy, first look at the bag of food they have been regularly eating and determine what is the main protein source (for example: chicken meal, lamb, corn meal, etc.).

Try Different Food

Try to find a comparable dog food that contains a different protein source (one your dog hasnt been exposed to before), such as salmon or lamb. So for example if your Lab food was mainly composed of chicken and corn, try a diet that is mainly lamb and rice and has no chicken in it. Slowly transition your dog to the new food over the course of 1-2 weeks. Gradually increase the amount of the new food and decrease the amount of the old food mixed together to prevent causing any digestive issues.

An Example of a Hypoallergenic Food Your Veterinarian May Prescribe

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA

Purina Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Chicken Flavor is one type of diet specifically made for dogs with food allergy. It works because the proteins are broken up into small pieces that are less likely to cause labrador allergies due to food sensitivity.

Its imperative that you feed your dog the new food for at least 6-8 weeks to know if the new food helps with their itchy skin. Its also very important to not feed your dog anything else during this process- no treats, no table scraps, and no flavored bones or chew toys. None. We mean it, even a small table scrap can ruin all the hard work you put in over the last few weeks. Dont fall for those adorable labrador eyes begging for a treat. Note, there are specific hypoallergenic treats and there a a few items that may be okay during this time (e.g. carrots, celery) but ask your vet before giving anything other than the trial food.

If your dogs skin starts to be less inflamed and less itchy, at the end of the food trial, reintroduce the old food into your dogs diet and see if they start itching again. If they do, then we can be fairly certain of what your dog is allergic to.

Many people choose not to reintroduce the old food to avoid their dog getting itchy again, which is fine as well. Its completely understandable to not want your dog to go through that again.

Prescription Food

If the labrador allergies are caused by food, your vet may also recommend starting your dog on a prescription food. Prescription foods are usually better because they are made in very specific facilities to not allow cross-over between foods, preventing contamination with other ingredients.

They also break down the proteins in the food into very small pieces, so your dogs body cant even recognize them, which prevents the itchiness from happening. Below is one example but remember it is prescription so you will need to input your veterinarians details for them to approve it before ordering.

An Example of a Hypoallergenic Food Your Veterinarian May Prescribe

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA

Purina Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Chicken Flavor is one type of diet specifically made for dogs with food allergy. It works because the proteins are broken up into small pieces that are less likely to cause labrador allergies due to food sensitivity.

Labrador Allergies caused by Fleas

Even though fleas cause most dogs to itch some, dogs with flea allergy itch much more severely than those without flea allergy. Labrador allergies caused by fleas will make the dog itch with a fury and find it hard to focus on other things.

Causes

Allergens within the fleas saliva can cause a dog to have an allergic reaction. Avoiding fleas is important in all dogs, especially those with allergies.

Symptoms of dogs with flea allergy:

• Intense itching
• Itching mostly near the rump and tail base
• Itching along the back legs
• Hair loss at the rump and tail base
• Hair loss along the back legs
• Very reddened skin
• Small black specks on your dogs skin or leftbehind in their bedding (this is flea poop!)

Treatments

Dogs with flea allergy need to stay on flea prevention all year long, even throughout the winter months. If your dog brings fleas on them inside the home, you will need to vacuum daily and wash their bedding weekly.

Fleas reproduce very quickly and they lay eggs within the home environment. The flea eggs can hatch weeks later and get back on your dog.

If you are not able to get your dogs flea allergy under control with flea prevention alone, schedule an appointment with your vet. Your dog may need a course of antibiotics. Your vet may also be able to get you prescription flea prevention that works better against some fleas.

Labrador Allergies: Conclusion

Oftentimes, we never get down to the root cause of the allergy and usually just treat the symptoms, including the itch and any secondary skin infections that develop. Do your best using the methods above and be sure to visit your vet for further assistance. In rare cases of very severe labrador allergies, your veterinarian may refer you to a dermatology specialty veterinarian such as The Animal Dermatology Group.

Having a happy, healthy Labrador Retriever is what we all want. Im sure your dog will thank you for helping them through this! Be sure to check out Common Health Issues with Labrador Retrievers to learn more!

Can Labrador Retrievers Eat Chicken?

Chicken is one of the most popular foods among humans, and for good reason: its low cost, its nutrient rich, and its delicious. So its no wonder that many Labrador Retriever owners are wondering if they can feed chickens to their Labs.

Can you feed chicken to your Labs? The short answer is yesyou can feed chicken to your Labs. But there are lots of nuances that pet owners need to know about before serving up a meal of chicken to their furry pals. In this blog post, well answer every question regarding feeding raw chicken and cooked chicken to your Labrador Retriever, including the most important one: can Labs eat chicken bones?

Lets start with the first question:

Is chicken safe for Labs?

Yes, any unseasoned roasted, poached, grilled, or baked chicken is safe for Labs to eat. Cooked chicken is a better option because the cooking process helps to break down the protein in the muscle. Ensure its boneless as wellchicken bones can splinter and get stuck in your Labrador Retrievers throat. Avoid feeding your Labrador Retriever too much chicken at once as it can have a laxative effect.

If you are feeding your Labrador Retriever chicken for the first time, watch for any signs of allergic reaction. Its rare, but some Labs can show a food intolerance or allergic reaction to new foods. If you observe any symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting, stop feeding your pet chicken and consult a vet immediately.

Benefits of chicken in Labs

Protein: Chicken is a rich source of protein and contains all the essential amino acids, making it an excellent option for Labrador Retriever food.

Omega-6 fatty acids: Chicken can be a good choice for Labs with dry, itchy skin because its rich in omega-6 fatty acids, which are important for healthy skin.

Vitamins: Chicken contains vitamins A and B-12, which help maintain your Labrador Retrievers vision and nervous system function. The vitamin A found naturally in chicken also supports strong bones.

Minerals: Chicken is high in phosphorus and selenium, two minerals that are important to your Labrador Retrievers health. Phosphorus plays a role in bone formation and energy metabolism, while selenium is an antioxidant that helps protect against damage caused by free radicals. It also contains small amounts of iron, zinc, potassium and copperall essential minerals.

Glucosamine: Chicken provides glucosamine to your Labrador Retrievers diet. Glucosamine supports joint health and flexibility.

Do all Labs like chicken?

Unfortunately, no. Even though we like to think of our Labs as our best friends and family members, they do not share all of our tastesespecially with food. Some Labs are really picky eaters and will turn up their noses at chicken.

If youre feeding your Labrador Retriever commercial food, you may be in luck because a lot of brands out there include chicken in their formulas, so you could just switch to a different flavor or brand. If youre making your own food for your Labrador Retriever, consult your vet about some other protein sources that are safe for Labs (e.g., beef, turkey).

Its important to remember that Labs can have allergies to certain ingredients, and chicken is one of the most common allergens for Labs. So if your Labrador Retriever doesnt like chicken, he might have an allergy to it. Your vet can help you figure out if this is the case by having your Labrador Retriever undergo allergy testing or by testing for specific signs of allergic reactions.

Whatever the reason is that your Labrador Retriever doesnt like chicken, dont force him to eat itit might make him sick or anxious. Instead, try some other protein sources (safe ones!) and mix them with grains and vegetables.

Can my Labs have chicken every day?

Theres no rule about how often Labs can eat chicken, but as long as your Labrador Retriever is not allergic to chicken, your vet approves it, and youre feeding it as part of a balanced diet, then theres nothing wrong with feeding your Labrador Retriever chicken every day. In fact, many people do!

However, if youre feeding your Labrador Retriever chicken every day, make sure that youre monitoring the rest of its diet. For example, if your Labrador Retriever is overweight, or you see signs of weight gain after feeding it chicken every day, then you may need to adjust how much food you give it per day.

Can Labrador Retriever puppies eat chicken?

You can give your Labrador Retriever puppy cooked chicken! Just wait until your pup is at least two months old and make sure hes already on a specialized puppy diet. Even once hes old enough, you should only introduce a small bite of chickenjust be prepared for puppies to spit out food they dont like, so have a towel handy if possible.

Remember that puppies have delicate digestive systems and can be sensitive to foods outside their diet. If you think about it, that makes sense: they have specially planned the average commercial Labrador Retriever food diet to provide optimal nutrition for Labs, so introducing too much of something else can throw off the balance. If in doubt, consult with your veterinarian before adding anything new to your puppys diet.

How much chicken can Labs eat?

The amount of chicken your Labrador Retriever can eat depends on a few factors, including their age, size, and activity level. Because different Labs have different needs and tolerances, the best way to find out how much chicken your Labrador Retriever can eat is by consulting with your veterinarian.

That being said, if your Labrador Retriever is on a raw meat homemade diet, they should generally eat about to cup of meat protein per 20lbs of body weight per day.

Keep in mind that if your Labrador Retriever suffers from diarrhea, follow a 2:1 ratio of rice to chicken (for example, cup chicken and cup rice per one cup of food).

Last, remember that portion control is very important for your Labrador Retrievers diet. Start small, and if there are no bad reactions from the food, you can offer more.

How to serve chicken to your Labs?

There are several ways to serve chicken to your Labs.

One way is to feed it along with your Labrador Retrievers usual food, but make sure that the serving of chicken is relatively small, and that you dont continue feeding your Labrador Retriever this way for more than a couple of days.

You can also give your Labrador Retriever some plain chicken as a treat. This is especially good if youre offering the chicken as a reward for something.

You can also dehydrate some chicken and offer it as a chewy treat. This works well if you have an especially active or teething puppy.

If you are looking for a meal option, consider mixing some cooked chicken with some healthy grains and vegetables before cooking it as tasty meatballs.

When is chicken bad for Labs?

First, its important to note that a little chicken will not hurt your Labrador Retriever. In fact, chicken is a good source of protein for Labs. And if youre ever in a pinch and dont have your Labrador Retrievers usual food on hand, cooked chicken can actually be a great option for getting them the protein they need.

However, if your Labrador Retriever has certain allergies or underlying health issues, its possible that you need to avoid giving them chicken. For example, if your Labrador Retriever has food allergies, they may be allergic to chicken as well. If thats the case, ask your vet about what to do instead of feeding them chicken.

If your Labrador Retriever eats too much chicken, it can cause an upset stomach and vomiting. So try to control how much chicken you give themand make sure that you get their regular food back in their system after eating too much chicken!

Chicken bones are also bad for Labs because theyre likely to splinter and cause internal damage. And while its okay to give your Labrador Retriever, some cooked skin-on chicken (it wont hurt them), make sure that the skin hasnt been seasoned or prepared with any spices or oils that could harm your Labrador Retriever. Raw chicken is also bad for Labs, as it may contain bacterial contamination.

Other human foods Labrador Retrievers can eat

What other human foods can Labs eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Lab can eat.

So, can Labs eat chicken?

The answer is a resounding yes, but with some caveats. Chicken is a great source of protein for your Labrador Retriever, and it can be an excellent source of B vitamins, riboflavin, niacin, and pyridoxine. Chicken also contains phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and iron.

But like any food that is new to your Labrador Retrievers diet, dont introduce chicken all at once. Start them off slowly by introducing a little chicken into their diet at first. Also, keep in mind that Labs can be allergic to chicken just like humans can be allergic to different foods, so if you notice your Labrador Retriever has any adverse reaction to eating chicken, dont feed it to them anymore.

If your Labrador Retriever loves chicken as much as mine does, then you should definitely eat it up more often but cook it thoroughly with no harmful additives like salt or spices which could upset their stomachs. If possible, feed breast meat instead of dark meat because dark meat contains more fat than white meat does, which may lead to weight gain for your pet and higher cholesterol levels.

Also remember to take cooked chicken off the bone before feeding it to your Labrador Retriever because cooked bones are very brittle and can splinter easily, causing choking hazard.