What Causes Dietary Sensitivity?

There are many causes of dietary sensitivity that can work individually or accumulate and work together to cause your dog problems.

An illness that affects the digestive system has the ability to lead to dietary sensitivities. Alternatively, some breeds are more susceptible to problems than others. Gluten intolerance is more prevalent in Golden Retrievers, Irish and English Setters and other breeds that tend to have more than their fair share of dietary intolerances include the Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, West Highland White Terrier and Schnauzer.

Whilst the age of your dog is not strictly a cause of sensitivity, it may help differentiate whether your dog has a food allergy or intolerance. Food allergies are more likely to affect adult dogs whereas food intolerances are more common in young dogs.

The most common cause of dietary sensitivity are food products and the ingredients contained within them. Wheat, dairy and beef products are all amongst the largest ingredient offenders that can cause a problem as well as other meat and cereal products.