Just as humans allergies can show up as a sneeze or rash, your dog's allergies can manifest as itchiness -- or even ear infections. In fact, if your dog's allergic to his food, it can cause him to scratch himself constantly, even with no obvious parasite problem.

Dog allergies rarely get solved with medicine, so the best we can do for our four-footed friends is focus on prevention. Providing the right type of food is essential to stopping your dog's scratching habit.

Many people like to share their food with their dogs or let them help "clean up" the kitchen after a meal. Little do they know, their dogs just may not be able to take the tasty food we love so much, and some breeds (like the greyhound) are extremely sensitive. Even common foods like cheese, beef sausage and tuna may cause allergic reactions in some dogs. So it's best to let dogs enjoy dog food and not human food, even though they clearly adore and want what we're eating!

Narrowing Down the Problem

To determine the exact ingredients your dog is allergic to, try an elimination diet. Although powerful, it also requires patience. In fact, the elimination diet can call for eliminating specific food for up to 12 weeks before you'll notice the effects. And if you still haven't found the right (and wrong) ingredients, you'll have to repeat the process all over again.

So is there an alternative to the lengthy elimination diet? Yes -- give your dog a brand or type of food he's never eaten before. But simply changing to a new brand of dog food might not be enough to eliminate his food allergies, since many brands contain similar ingredients. Instead, study the existing ingredients your dog is eating to determine which types of protein source he hasn't been exposed to. Then, hunt for a dog food that doesn't contain any of the ingredients you saw listed. For example, there are many brands of dog food that contains unusual protein sources such as rabbit or venison -- great for testing allergic reactions to other, more common proteins.

Perhaps the best way for you to get control of dog's allergies is to whip up your own dog food. That way, you'll know exactly what he's getting and what he isn't -- something that's extremely hard to tell from reading the back of a dog food bag. Making your own food is especially helpful in elimination diets. To start, combine a portion of rice with baby food and lamb -- so long as your dog isn't already eating lamb and possibly displaying a reaction to it.

Dog food allergies are a special condition that can be frustrating and take patience to solve. Since allergic reactions don't disappear overnight, you'll need lots of time and thoughtfulness to help your dog overcome this problem -- but his goofy smile and those scratch-free days ahead will probably make it all worth it.

About the Author: Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Poodle-oo: Fashion for Toy Dogs. Stop by for toy dog couture and home decor, free toy dog postcards and the Toy Dog Blog. http://www.poodle-oo.com/

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Animal Rescue

Humane Society Benefit In Louisiana (http://www.hamptons.com)

A little thing like the threat of Hurricane Gustav and evacuation of New Orleans didn’t stop BeKind founder Frances Hayward and CBS’ “Greatest American Dog” star Wendy Diamond and her little white dog Lucky from heading literally into the eye of the storm. The animal advocates joined Councilwoman Jacquelyn Clarkson for the unveiling of the first pet memorial held in the Municipal Chambers at City Hall and followed with a benefit luncheon on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

Baton Rouge artist Richard Chashoudian was commissioned by The Humane Society of Louisiana to create a national monument to honor the pets that perished during, and after, the devastating storm. The beautiful pet memorial features a bronze, life-size statue of a cat and dog resting on a piece of 150-year-old Louisiana Cyprus. The accompanying plaque reads "THEY WILL NEVER BE LEFT BEHIND AGAIN...." listing all that had contributed, beginning with Hayward’s The Amigo Foundation. The statue and plaque will remain as sad reminder and a forever tribute to the tragic animals that lost their lives.

Councilwoman Stacy Head, Clarkson, Hayward, Diamond, and her little white dog Lucky joined the artists and Jeff Dorson, the head of the Humane Society of Louisiana and more than 150 animal rescuers, first responders, local dignitaries, and directors of animal charity foundations and humane societies for the presentation and lunch that followed at the Astor Crowne Hotel in the French Quarter.

During the ceremonies, Hayward was presented with the Key to the City for her heroic efforts following Katrina. A veteran of many hurricane rescues, Hayward accepted the Key on behalf of her beloved dog Amigo, who died earlier in the year. “Amigo headed the rescue efforts in the Gulf Coast when we bussed animals out on ‘The Amigo Express’," stated Hayward. “I was truly honored when he was made ‘King of Barkus’ during Mardi Gras in 2006 and again in 2007 where he served as Grand Marshal.” Diamond was given the International Ambassador Award, while her pooch Lucky seemed pleased to command the podium.

Supporters and animal lovers including Petco Foundation President Paul Jolly, CBS newscaster Eric Paulsen, NY veterinarian Dr. Babette Gladstein, TV reporter Alfred Richard, Blue Dog artist George Rodriguez, Eric Iglesis, Sean Payton, and Deuce McAllister of the New Orleans Saints enjoyed the fine vegetarian cuisine while coming up with new ways to help raise funds and awareness.

The euphoria quickly disappeared following the luncheon as the residents were forced to turn their efforts towards the evacuation. “It was time for me to shed my pink Ungaro dress and roll up my sleeves to help,” stated Hayward. “After visiting the Animal Rescue Shelter New Orleans (ARNO) shelter in Metairie, and seeing the heroic work being done by Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) - crating them and putting them in giant air conditioned trucks to be sent to safety, I was called by my friends to assist in the evacuation of people with their pets onto buses downtown. Members of the National Guard were very much in evidence. What was so killing me was the sight of these beautiful, very poor, at times physically challenged, residents lining up in the intense heat with their beloved animals. The deep love for their pets, many overheated and dehydrated and wrapped in cool wet towels to cool them down, was the real story here. It was so beyond touching and yet heartbreaking to me, that against the backdrop of such dreads and fear, we were able to get it all accomplished with such compassion by the heroic volunteers of ARNO and The Humane Society of Louisiana. I feel this experience was 'life changing',” added the animal advocate, “and I thank Heaven that they were ultimately spared.”

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