Dog Food Allergies - Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

An allergy refers to a hypersensitive reaction to a substance that, in principle, should not be dangerous to an organism. If, however, the immune system considers the substance a threat, it reacts and an allergy occurs. A dog must be exposed to an allergen one or more times for the reaction to be triggered. Therefore, allergies occur more commonly in dogs that have eaten the same diet for a long period of time.

Many assume that the first sign of food allergies in dogs would be digestive, but this is not the case. The most characteristic sign of food allergies in dogs is actually itching and scratching. Food allergies can appear in dogs of all ages and without a seasonal pattern.

Foods most commonly associated with allergic reactions in dogs include meats, milk, eggs, fish, cereals or soy. When it comes to food allergies in dogs, we need to distinguish them from food intolerance, which is different.

Symptoms of food allergy in dogs

So, how does a food allergy manifest in dogs? Food allergy-related dermatitis is one of the main symptoms of food allergies in dogs. This disorder causes skin redness, intense itching, small red bumps and wounds on the skin, partly due to scratching. Generally, this skin inflammation appears on the lower part of the body, the ears (resulting in Otitis), the feet and the back of the legs.

Food allergy diarrhea, however, is incredibly rare. Rapid digestive transit or diarrhea in dogs usually only occurs as a result of food intolerance. Therefore, if you suspect that your dog is suffering from a food allergy, you will need to consult a veterinarian to make sure it is not, in fact, caused by a food intolerance.

Symptoms of food intolerance in dogs

As we have just seen, canine intolerance to food and canine allergy to food are two completely different conditions, and they also produce different symptoms. A dog with food intolerance will develop diarrhea and/or vomiting, accompanied by abdominal pain. A dog with a food allergy, however, will show the above-mentioned signs of dermatitis. For more, we recommend reading our article about the symptoms and treatment of food intolerance in dogs.

Itching can also be caused by other skin conditions, so these signs alone cannot confirm a food allergy. A veterinarian can assess your dog’s symptoms and help rule out other possible causes.

To diagnose a food allergy in dogs, a veterinarian will perform a dog food allergy test, otherwise referred to as a hypoallergenic diet test. This test consists of offering the animal an elimination diet, in which potential trigger foods are removed to identify what is causing the allergy or to see whether symptoms improve on a baseline diet. Specific hypoallergenic feeds can be bought to form a baseline diet. These foods are formulated with hydrolyzed proteins, meaning that the proteins have been broken down into smaller fragments that are less likely to trigger an immune response. If allergy symptoms improve with this change in diet, your dog may be diagnosed with a food allergy.

One can also carry out an elimination diet with natural foods. This method can make it easier to target the specific foods triggering the allergic reaction. This change of diet, however, should always be made under veterinarian supervision.

For meaningful results, the elimination diet needs to be followed consistently. This means avoiding treats, table scraps and other foods that are not part of the plan; even small extras can make it harder to identify the trigger.

Lastly, a veterinarian may also opt for a skin allergy test. For more, we recommend reading our article where we discuss homeopathy for dogs with allergies.

Food allergies in dogs cannot be cured, however, their symptoms can be avoided. Avoiding allergy flare-ups in dogs means preventing a dog from eating the food to which it is allergic. Treatment requires finding the food or foods causing the allergy and eliminating them from a dog’s diet entirely.

To do this, we recommend offering your dog the already mentioned baseline diet for about 8-10 weeks. After this time, slowly and one by one, add additional foods from your dog’s previous diet. The minute you notice a reaction to an added food, you can conclude that it is a food to avoid. This should also be performed under the guidance of a veterinarian.

Once the trigger has been identified, it is usually important to keep it out of your dog’s diet. Check food labels regularly, since ingredients can vary between products or change over time.

Drugs can also sometimes be prescribed if a dog’s scratching has caused serious dermatological problems. The objective here is to control itching, reduce inflammation or treat infections.

Allergic reactions in dogs are produced by a release of histamine. For this reason, a veterinarian may include antihistamine drugs in your dog’s treatment. Antihistamines for dogs are generally only prescribed when there is evident itching and dermatitis.

There are several types of antihistamines for dogs on the market. It is a veterinarian's job to prescribe the most appropriate option and dose. You should never offer your dog antihistamine drugs for humans. In addition, antihistamines are only prescribed when there are evident symptoms. In some cases, a veterinarian may also prescribe corticosteroids.

These medications may help manage symptoms, but they do not remove the food trigger. Follow your veterinarian’s instructions and do not change the dose or stop treatment without checking with them.

When it comes to allergies in dogs, it is possible to resort to a homemade diet for dogs. This option allows us to control the foods our dog will ingest, avoiding additives or specific ingredients. This diet should be balanced and formed with the help of a veterinarian. In addition, it must only include ingredients that a dog hasn’t yet consumed. This is necessary when it comes to avoiding the allergen.

One of the most recommended diets for dogs with food allergies is a BARF diet. The BARF diet for dogs is an all-raw diet that doesn’t include preservatives, cereals or wheat. For more about the best homemade diet for dogs, we recommend reading our article where we offer a great natural diet for dogs.

For long-term feeding, a homemade plan needs to provide all the nutrients your dog requires, not just avoid the suspected allergen. A veterinarian can help make sure the diet is complete and appropriate for your dog.

Now, if, for whatever reason, your dog cannot or should not eat a homemade diet, there are hypoallergenic dog foods available to buy from your local pet store.

In general, these products are made with ingredients that are less likely to cause allergies in dogs, in addition to avoiding artificial colorants or flavorings.

Check the ingredient list before choosing a product, and ask your veterinarian whether it is suitable for your dog. If symptoms continue or worsen, consult your veterinarian rather than changing foods repeatedly on your own.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to Dog Food Allergies - Symptoms, Causes and Treatment, we recommend you visit our Other health problems category.