Can dogs be allergic to food?
Like humans, dogs and cats can develop hypersensitivities (
allergies) to specific food ingredients. A food allergy can develop to an ingredient that has recently been introduced in the form of a new diet or treat or, more often, to something they have been exposed to for a significant time. Food allergy can occur at any age (very young to very old) and at any time of the year.
The most common symptom of food allergy is
itching, which can be seen as scratching, chewing, licking, rubbing, or pulling the hair out. In addition to itching, there are often recurrent skin and/or ear infections and about 15-20% of cats and dogs with food allergy experience gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, burping, and/or flatulence.
Common food allergies in dogs
The most common foods dogs can become allergic to are:
As many of these ingredients are present in most commercial pet foods, treats, and in the “people” food we give our pets as treats, just switching from one brand of food to another may not necessarily determine if your pet has a food allergy.
Over-the-counter diets may even contain trace amounts of allergens not listed in their ingredients as most diets are manufactured in the same facility as foods containing allergens.
How to find out if your dog has a food allergy
Although there are blood tests available that test for food allergy, these tests are most often inaccurate - most animals often test positive, even if they do not have a food allergy, or the ingredient they are allergic to is typically misdiagnosed.
The best way to definitively diagnose your pet with a food allergy is to conduct a diet trial.
The purpose of a diet trial is to determine if your pet has a food allergy, and if so, attempt to pinpoint which ingredient(s) are the offenders.It can take two or more food trials to definitively rule in/out a food allergy.
How to treat food allergies in dogs
After completing a food trial, if your pet is diagnosed with a food allergy you have 3 options regarding their diet moving forward:
(A) Maintain your pet on the restricted diet used during elimination for life
(B) Switch to another limited ingredient diet that does not cause a flare of symptoms
(C) Perform an individual protein and carbohydrate challenge
This is an additional food trial that helps determine individual ingredients that spark allergic reactions in your pet.
Once the offending ingredient(s) has been identified, ensure these are avoided in all your pet’s food and treats.
Please note: No diet is truly “hypoallergenic”, it is the absence of an offending ingredient in the diet that makes it “hypoallergenic” for your pet. Additionally, you must read the ingredient list because what is on the front of the bag does not include all the ingredients!
Get help from your local Thrive Pet Healthcare team today!
