
Intolerance
Intolerance refers to a dog's digestive system's inability to properly process certain ingredients or nutrients, resulting in gastrointestinal distress or other adverse clinical signs.
Causes?
Many dogs are lactose intolerant and may have trouble digesting dairy products, leading to gastrointestinal symptoms. Some dogs may be sensitive to gluten (found in wheat, barley, and rye), causing digestive problems similar to those in gluten-intolerant humans. Intolerance to specific protein sources, such as beef, chicken, or lamb, can cause digestive upset without triggering an immune response. Low-quality ingredients, artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors can also cause dog food intolerance.

Treatment and Prevention?
The most common method for diagnosing food intolerance is an elimination diet, where suspected ingredients are removed from the dog's diet for several weeks to identify the trigger. A whole fresh food diet can pinpoint specific intolerances and be tailored to the dog's needs.
Additional info?
Unlike food allergies, which involve the immune system and typically trigger immediate reactions, food intolerances are generally related to digestive issues and occur gradually over time.
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