Allergies caused by food are one of the most common kinds that affect dogs. When a pet has an allergy, it means that their immune system is overreacting and producing antibodies to fight substances that it normally should be tolerant towards. To know if your dog has a food allergy, here are a few common symptoms that you should not ignore:

1. Frequently occurring ear infections
If your dog is experiencing frequent ear infections, which means it requires treatment two to three times a year, then it could be a sign of food allergies. The presence of yeast or ear mites in the ear(s) can also cause ear infections. However, if the infection does not go away easily or stays throughout the year, then it could be one of the symptoms of food allergies in dogs. The infection will make the ear look yeasty or there will be a brown or black buildup.

2. Change in nail color
This is one of the most easily identifiable symptoms of food allergies in dogs that have white nails. These include breeds, such as bulldogs, dalmatians, boxers, and spaniels. If your dog is suffering from food allergies, then you might notice that the base of their nails has become red or even bloody. This is caused when the immune system is responding to inflammation. In most healthy dogs, the color of the nails is white with a pinkish tone. But if the nails are brown, red, or a combination of red and brown, then it could indicate a food allergy.

3. Change in lip color
This is one of the common symptoms of food allergies in dogs who have white coats. Food allergies can make their feet, lips, toes, jowls, or skin inflamed and pink. You may also notice your dog itching more frequently than normal. These can be indicators of yeast colonization, which is often a result of food allergies.

4. Itching
If your dog has been itching constantly and it has become so severe that it is causing hair loss, then it could be a sign of food allergies. If the skin under their hair has become pink or red, inflamed, or dry, then that is also an indicator of food allergy in dogs. These symptoms might not go away even after taking a bath, using conditioners, or consuming over-the-counter medicines.

5. Watery eyes
Food allergies can make your dog scratch the area around their eyes constantly and have a sticky discharge or blocked tear duct. These can cause the production of tears in excess and make your dog’s eyes watery. All of this can also lead to irritation and tear staining.