Food Sensitivities and Allergies in Dogs

We all want what’s best for our dogs, and choosing the right food is incredibly important in dogs of all ages – from ingredients that promote growth and dental health, to ones that support their immune systems and give them the right level of nutrients for their age and stage of development.

One consideration that’s becoming increasingly more prevalent, is avoiding ingredients that your dog might have a sensitivity or allergy to. According to recent veterinary findings from the VCA hospital in the USA, food allergies and intolerance in dogs is one of the five most common allergies or hypersensitivities known to affect our canine friend.

A food allergy occurs when the dog’s immune system mistakenly sees part of the food as a threat to their body, and releases antigens to neutralise it, but this immune response can affect their entire body.

An intolerance, or sensitivity, is different from an allergic reaction as it doesn’t involve the immune system – the cause for the issue isn’t always known, but it has been linked with digestive issues, which is why intolerances often appear as stomach and gut issues, bloating, excessive gas, etc.

Intolerances can occur at any stage in a dog’s life, and they may even react to foods that they’d previously been happy with before. Allergies can also occur at any time, but it’s more common for them to develop in pups between 1 and 3 years old.

The most common food allergens are proteins – especially those from dairy, beef, lamb, chicken, eggs, soy, or wheat gluten. Although some dogs may have sensitivities or allergic reactions to other ingredients, testing and studies have shown that the most frequently reported cutaneous adverse food reactions (CAFRs) that involve food hypersensitivities (involving the immune system), and food tolerances (not involving the immune system), were:

• Beef (34%)
• Dairy Products (17%)
• Chicken (15%)
• Wheat (13%)
• Lamb (5%)

Just as in people, allergies and food sensitivities can adversely affect dogs in a number of different ways, including: inflammation, rashes, reddened skin, itching, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhoea, excess gas, lethargy, refusal to eat, depression, poor coat condition, chronic infections (especially in the ears and on the feet), and in severe cases, anaphylaxis.

Finding out what’s making your dog miserable, and fixing it, can be complex – especially for those poor pups that are sensitive to more than one ingredient. Some dog owners choose to make use of medication in order to control the symptoms, others look at changing their dog’s diet and lifestyle.

Seeking veterinary advice is recommended as the first step when undertaking any of these changes, to ensure that there isn’t some other underlying condition, and that what you’re planning on giving your dog (whether that’s food or medication) is actually the best thing for them.

Treating Food Allergies and Intolerance in Dogs

Determining whether or not a dog has a food allergy or intolerance isn’t an instant process, there isn’t a single test to determine if they are being affected, or what’s causing the problems. Seeking veterinary advice is important to rule out any potential underlying issues, and to determine a safe course of action that is focused on the health and well-being of your canine companion.

At present, without a single test, the most reliable way of diagnosing an allergy or intolerance, is to undertake a diet trial. This usually takes between 6 and 12 weeks (sometimes 6-8 weeks), and involves removing all food, treats, snacks, and table scraps from the dog’s diet, and giving them a specific food for the duration – this allows the dog’s body to flush out any substances that might be affecting them and causing a reaction.

If there is an improvement in their health after the test, then it may be determined that an allergen or incompatible ingredient was present in their diet. In some cases, this test is followed up by a return to the original diet, in order to determine if there’s a return of the symptoms, or an incremental approach, where ingredients will be returned to the dog’s diet, one at a time, in order to single out any that are causing issues.

There are also various blood tests available which are used to help in obtaining a diagnosis, however there isn’t any evidence (at present) to suggest that these tests are informative, and veterinarians do not consider them a useful replacement for the dietary trial.

What Food Alternatives Are Available to Avoid Food Allergies and Intolerance in Dogs?

By moving away from ‘traditional’ dog food, and looking for different, healthier, and responsibly sourced ingredients, dog owners are now looking for alternative forms of protein, that aren’t going to cause allergic reactions or upset a sensitive stomach.

Whilst it’s important to recognise that the success of this will largely depend on the dog, what they’re allergic or intolerant to, and how they react to various ingredients – there are certain things you as a pet owner can look for, that will help you make more informed, and healthier choices.

1. Look for Single Proteins and Clearly Labelled Ingredients
   Many dog foods, especially cheaper brands, will use ‘derivatives’ and ‘fillers’ in their food and treats – this means the meat isn’t of high quality, has often been procured from scraps or cuts that are considered unusable in any other form; and have been highly processed to make them acceptable. Single protein foods and treats, such as our Venison Strips, are high in vitamins and minerals, sourced from ethical and responsible suppliers, and only contain a single ingredient, which makes them ideal for re-introduction dietary trials.
2. Check for Gluten, especially if Your Dog is Intolerant or has Celiac Disease
   There is some debate over whether dogs should be eating grains or not, but in many cases, it’s the gluten that can cause the problems.
   Some brands will use corn meal or wheat gluten to ‘bulk out’ their products, and this not only just acts as a filler, offering nothing in the way of nutritional value, but it can also promote obesity and related health issues. Looking for alternatives with different base materials can help not only with allergies, but also weight issues. Our Peanut Butter Biscuits are 100% peanuts, with no added oil, salt or sugar – which make them a great alternative for dogs with sensitive tummies, whilst remaining free from lactose, soy, meat, salt, or additives.
3. Avoid Chemicals, Sugar, and Other Harmful Additives
   Whilst your dog might like to grab whatever they can get (especially those who practice table surfing), foods that have additives, chemicals, salts, and sugar in them can make allergic or intolerant reactions much worse, as well as create health conditions (such as obesity, diabetes, cataracts, etc). Selecting food and treats that have the best nutritional values, and contain natural ingredients is much more likely to sit well with your pup, and improve their health. If they’re fussy about their meals, our Meal Toppers are specially formulated to complement Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) diets, and add a boost of vitamins, minerals, and taste to every dish!

How you decide to feed your dog, whether it’s with traditional meat-based meals, novel proteins, or vegetable supplements, knowing exactly what’s behind the packaging and labelling will help you to make an informed choice, and do the best for your furry friend. As food allergies and intolerance in dogs become rapidly prevalent today, it is important for dog owners to be well-informed about what goes into the making of their dog’s meals, and to watch out for signs of possible food allergies and intolerance in their dog.