Is your dog or cat is continually itching, developing a skin rash, or suffering from gastro-intestinal problems, he or she may have a food allergy. Many dogs and cats, like humans, suffer from food allergies. However, the source of food allergies is not so easy to ascertain in pets. Of course, a visit to a qualified veterinarian is essential to rule out any actual and serious health issues first and foremost. One of the most common problems for vets and pet owners alike is there is no standard blood test or saliva test to identify allergies in animals. The common symptoms of pet food allergy include:

• Vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Excess flatulence
• Chronic ear problems
• Appetite loss
• Constant scratching or hair loss
• Red, inflamed skin or skin rash
• Coughing, wheezing and sneezing

Here are the best tactics for diagnosing and treating food allergies in cats and dogs:

1. Elimination diet
According to Tufts Universities Department of Veterinary affairs, an elimination diet to detect pet food allergies is practically the only way to determine if your dog or cat has a sensitivity to chicken, pork, beef, soy, egg, or grains. The vet’s at Tufts also point out and in the majority of instances, it’s your pet’s allergy to a particular type of protein, rather than a sensitivity to grain, that causes the problem.

2. Feed your pet the same food for 30 days
Vets nationwide agree that feeding your cat or dog for one month exclusively on simple pet food, such as salmon cat food for your cat, or chicken, rice and broth for your dog is practically the only way to narrow down the source of food allergies. By feeding your pet salmon cat food for an entire month, you really have an opportunity to discover if they have a pet food allergy, and if so, what protein they react to. Evo salmon cat food is one cat food with the highest quality of ingredients for food sensitive cats. Evo also produces a quality, red meat formula for dogs.

3. Avoid the allergen
Vets recommend that you become an informed pet owner if your pet suffers from any type of food allergy. First, have your pet checked out by a veterinarian and then begin a simple, elimination diet to determine the root cause. Once you identify the allergen, simply avoid it in your pet’s diet moving forward.