Food Allergies in Dogs – Symptoms and Solutions

Itches and discomfort, everywhere and all the time. The belly is bloated, and dog farts make people leave the room. Your dog might be suffering from a food allergy. But how do you know, and what can you do about it? Let's dive deep into the topic of food allergies in dogs.

Relieving food allergies with the right diet

Just like humans, dogs can be allergic to different types of food ingredients. Common symptoms include skin or digestive issues. A food allergy is often something a dog is genetically predisposed to. It can be triggered at any point during the dog's life when the dog consumes enough of the allergen to provoke a reaction. Symptoms typically manifest within the dog's first year of life. Veterinarians agree that food allergies can't be completely cured, but symptoms can be alleviated, and dogs can become entirely symptom-free with the right diet and treatment.

Common allergenic substances in feed

It's common for dogs to be allergic to some one or more protein sources. Some may also react to lactose (dairy products) and gluten (grains like wheat). They can also be allergic to mites, which has nothing to do with dog food, but unfortunately can be present in dry kibble.

Allergy vs. intolerance in dogs

With an allergy, the body's immune system reacts to an entirely harmless substance as if it were an invader. With intolerance, the body lacks a substance, usually an enzyme, required to break down the food.

Symptoms of feed allergy

In a food allergy, the dog's immune system overreacts to one or sometimes multiple ingredients in the diet, treats, or chews given to the dog. As a defense, the body's cells produce histamines, causing:

• Itching
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Constant or periodic loose stools
• Skin redness
• Excessive gas/farting
• Stomach discomfort

Read more about dog digestive problems in our article on dog digestive problems: constipation, diarrhea and vomiting.

Always consult your vet if you suspect an allergy

Before assuming that the symptoms are caused by a food allergy, other potential causes should be ruled out. There are several reasons for allergy-like symptoms, some of which are serious. So don't change the diet on your own if you suspect an allergy. Always have a veterinarian conduct a comprehensive assessment of your dog's health and guide you through diagnosis with an elimination diet.

How to implement an elimination diet

An elimination diet can provide more information about what your dog is reacting to. Start by completely eliminating treats and chews. Then provide your dog with a diet based on very pure ingredients (without corn, grains, beet pulp, or potatoes). Initially, the diet should consist of a single protein source. Lamb is often recommended.

Usually, the dog needs to be on this diet for several weeks before evaluation is possible, but sometimes there's an immediate effect, and the dog stops itching or has firmer stools. If the dog shows improvement during the test period, it suggests an allergy to something in the diet.

The next step is to gradually introduce a new protein source or other ingredient, such as rice or potatoes, with several weeks in between. Add one new ingredient at a time and closely monitor the dog for any symptoms. Any new ingredient that doesn't cause an allergic reaction in the dog can be considered safe to include in her/his diet.

Elimination diets take time, but when the tests are done, you'll have a list of safe ingredients for your dog's diet. To properly evaluate the effects of different food items, it's important not to feed the dog anything else during the test period.

Managing multiple allergies and allergy vaccination

If the dog suffers from both food allergies and other allergies, such as mites or pollen, the veterinarian can prescribe allergen immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots. First, the veterinarian determines what the dog is allergic to through a blood test. Then, a specific cocktail with small amounts of the allergens is created. The dog is injected with the vaccine repeatedly over an extended period.

Over time, the dog's immune response to, for example, pollen, can decrease as the body becomes accustomed to small amounts of the allergen. This reduces the risk of the overactive immune system causing allergic reactions to other allergens, like nut protein. The strategy is to resolve the pollen allergy to relieve the burden on the dog's immune system and reduce the risk of it overreacting to other allergens.

The importance of early treatment of feed allergy

If a dog has untreated food allergies, the risk of more serious health issues is high, as the body enters an overactive state. This can lead to a reduction of intestinal villi and reduced activity in intestinal mucosa enzymes (which enable nutrient absorption in the intestines). Similarly, the dog risks secondary infections if it scratches and creates sores due to allergic itching.

How to choose a puppy to minimize allergy risk

It's not possible to prevent food allergies, but you can be meticulous when selecting a puppy. Assess the risk within your chosen breed and also the breeder's breeding strategy before buying a dog. Avoid purchasing puppies whose parents (or grandparents) had allergies. If you still end up with a puppy with a food allergy, take the symptoms seriously and act promptly. It increases the chances of a long, symptom-free life despite the food allergy.

Additional tips for managing food allergies in dogs

Is your dog highly allergic to a certain protein or more?

• Be cautious with oils (fish, salmon) as they can trigger a reaction. They should only contain fats, but proteins can sneak in during production.
• Also, watch out for additives. Some foods contain preservatives, colorants, and flavor enhancers that contain protein.
• Keep in mind that labels may only tell half the truth. Sometimes the feed may state that it contains only one source of meat, but if your dog still reacts, it might be an oversight by the food company.
• And remember, no raw material is the same as another. A dog allergic to chicken may tolerate turkey.

Read more about changing your feed and how to make the transition here.

Written by: Caroline Alupo

Caroline Alupo is Petli's co-founder. She has a master's degree in ethology and is also a trained dog trainer and dog psychologist. She has 19 years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Read more about Caroline here.

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