Diagnosing dog food allergies can be tricky. Learn about common culprits and how to treat them.
Dog food allergies are caused by the body mistaking a foreign substance as harmful, even if it isn’t. Your dog’s immune system responds by creating antibodies to attack the antigen. This reaction leads to symptoms like itching, swelling, rashes, gastrointestinal distress, and sometimes sneezing and runny eyes.
You may believe your dog is allergic to grains, but the allergy is usually related to a protein. And while food allergies exist, only about 0.2% of dogs suffer from them.
While true food allergies may only affect less than 1% of the canine population, it remains an important issue to monitor. Naturally, dogs can’t communicate their feelings, so it’s up to owners to keep an eye out for potential allergies.
Up-to-date research on allergens in dogs is scarce, but this study from 2016 indicated that 34% of dogs are affected by a beef allergy. Looking at all reported allergens, beef has the highest percentage, followed by dairy at 17%, chicken at 15%, and wheat at 13%. Other allergens are quite uncommon, coming in at 6% or less.
A suspected food allergy is a serious matter for dogs that can adversely affect their quality of life. Even for professionals, diagnosing food allergies can be tricky.
The first step in identifying a food allergy in dogs is to do an elimination food trial, the gold standard test for determining food allergies. To be successful, the elimination diet trial should be done under the guidance of your veterinarian.
Food trials last around 8 to 12 weeks to give your dog enough time to adjust to a new temporary diet. This diet needs to be followed exactly as recommended by the veterinarian. Otherwise, you run the risk of inaccurate results. This means NO other treats, snacks, people’s food, or flavored medications during this time.
👉 Blood tests are not accurate for distinguishing or determining food allergies.
The elimination trial is not a long-term diet—it’s only for identifying food allergies. If your dog’s allergy symptoms resolve during the trial, this suggests that your dog has a food allergy.
“After the diet trial is over, you have the option of reintroducing foods to see if symptoms return. In many cases it is just easier to keep the dog on the prescription food long term.”
-Dr. Liza Cahn
You may not see results until after 12 weeks, so be patient and watch for less licking, biting, and chewing. From there, you can discuss possible alternatives and next steps with your vet.
Unfortunately, diagnosing food allergies in dogs can be a difficult and drawn-out process, and you don’t want to see your dog suffering in the meantime. Thankfully, there are several effective ways to manage allergy symptoms in dogs, even from your own home.
There are an increasing number of high-quality prescription dog foods on the market. These formulas are usually made from novel proteins and simple ingredients to better cater to canines with food intolerance issues.
In the ever-expanding industry of pet healthcare, many over-the-counter skin and coat supplements now exist, with ingredients like omega-3 fatty acids to address itching and skin issues.
In extreme cases of allergy symptoms in dogs, a veterinarian may prescribe a number of safe and effective anti-itch medications. Examples of these include an oral medication, Apoquel, or an injectable medicine, Cytopoint. Topical treatments like medicated shampoo or ear medications (in the case of an ear infection) can also be extremely beneficial.
Consistent flea prevention is another key aspect of managing allergies. Flea allergy dermatitis is a condition from an allergic reaction to fleas, causing itchy skin at the base of the tail and other areas of the body. If it’s environmental allergies, allergy injections or medication can help lessen symptoms.
While food allergies are not as common as you may think, they still exist. Allergies can start at any time, even if your dog has been on the same food for most of their life. If you notice your dog consistently showing any of these symptoms, speak with your vet.
Food allergies cause a host of symptoms, like itching and gastrointestinal distress. A visit to the vet and a potential elimination diet can help pinpoint the culprit and determine if it’s a food allergen.
Protein, specifically beef, appears to be the most common food allergy in dogs, followed by chicken and dairy.
A grain allergy will show up similarly to other food sensitivities. Adverse food reactions may include the following symptoms: itchy skin and paws, ear itching, and digestive upset. While a grain allergy is possible, most dogs can digest grains without any issues. Speak with your vet if you notice any changes in digestion and whether this is suitable for your dog.
Hypoallergenic dog foods and novel protein diets with simple ingredient formulas, omega-3 fatty acids, and skin health supplements are great options for dogs with allergies. Our vets love Royal Canin’s Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Adult DP Dry Dog Food because it’s packed with easy-to-digest proteins.
The most common ingredients causing itching are proteins, including beef, dairy, and chicken.
