Dog Community

Food Allergy?

Posted : 3/5/2009 2:05:12 PM

Dreamer has recently developed these ugly reddish stains on her belly (where the hair is thinnest) and under her 'armpits'. These cant be enviromental stains as she very rarely goes outside and besides her feet are white as snow. Also, she is getting stains around her mouth. I switched almost a month ago to Kirkland Puppy, Chicken and Vegetables, which is apparently better than the Pro Plan I was feeding before. I know the beet pulp can cause staining, but Proplan also has beet pulp and the red stains have never been a problem. What can be causing this and how can I get rid of them? Thanks!

Fuzzy Dave

Posted : 3/5/2009 4:43:36 PM

anyone?

sandra_slayton

Posted : 3/5/2009 5:29:44 PM

All I can think of is check and see what ingredients are different and it must be one of them. maybe you need to go back to the other food and see if the stains go away. If not, then it must be something she is in contact with.

Myra

Posted : 3/5/2009 7:33:27 PM

Is the "staining" on the skin or fur (I noticed in your post in the grooming forum you said it's stained fur). If it's fur, then it may be coming from her saliva, which can cause a reddish stain. Often when dogs are itchy, they lick to get relief. Chronic licking can also be caused by other things, like boredom or pain, or it can even be an OCD-like issue. I'm not sure if chronic licking can cause the skin to look stained like it does fur.

If the skin is irritated, given the affected areas you describe, I would consider a contact allergen (to a certain type of fabric, detergent or cleaner, etc.).

JackieG

Posted : 3/5/2009 7:38:13 PM

Does she have a new dog bed or maybe some new clothing that could be transfering color onto her? Is it on her skin or on her hair? Agree that you should go back to the other food and see if it goes away, in order to narrow it down a little.

Fuzzy Dave

Posted : 3/5/2009 8:06:05 PM

The stains are just on her fur. I have not caught her licking, but I have seen the wet spots around the areas that are stained. I believe I will have to back to her old food to eliminate a possibly allergy. Also, her stools have been softer since starting the food (more than a month ago).

Ive always said we shouldnt try and fix what isnt broken. Shes been on Pro Plan since she was a baby and her coat has been shiny and firm stools. I switched her to Kirkland because the ingredients are much better, but I guess she was doing better on Pro Plan. It sucks because I have about 16 pounds of the stuff!

tiffy

Posted : 3/5/2009 8:42:17 PM

Donate it to a shelter.