How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of a Food Allergy in Dogs?

Dogs’ food allergies can be a painful experience for them and you; here is how long it takes to get rid of them.

Having a pet with food allergies can be a scary and dangerous situation which seems even more terrifying when you factor in the aspect it can take a long time to calm down.

It will take 1-2 weeks to get rid of symptoms from food allergies in dogs. It can take up to 12-16 weeks before seeing significant results if it has been running for a while. Completely curing a food allergy is impossible as it is a chronic disease, and symptoms will only subside by eliminating the allergy source.

You will be happy to hear that food allergies are not as common in dogs as many people tend to believe. Most digestive or skin problems associated with food are more often than not a food intolerance, so let’s talk about food allergies in dogs and what you can do to help. 

How long does it take to get rid of a food allergy in dogs?

Unfortunately, there is no way to get rid of a food allergy in dogs. Allergies are an immune response to a particular food, most often a protein in your dog’s dinner, such as chicken, beef, lamb, pork, soy, and dairy. To get rid of the negative reaction your pet has to a food source is to completely eliminate it from their diet.

While your vet can give you medication to help treat many of the most uncomfortable and more significant symptoms, the allergy is never going to completely go away. 

If your dog has already ingested a food source that causes them to suffer from an allergic reaction, you will probably continue to notice adverse effects for up to three months before there is a dramatic change in their condition.

How long do allergic reactions take to start?

If your dog has allergies to certain foods or ingredients, you might have difficulty identifying the source of the problem at first. Most allergic reactions will begin 24-48 hours after eating and can even hold off for up to two weeks, making it hard to pinpoint the exact cause.

The length of time it takes for some food allergies to present themselves is why so many veterinarians tell their patients to gradually introduce new foods or treats, especially when they have a young puppy. I typically like to wait it out a little longer just to be sure.

More severe food allergies can show signs of reaction within 20-minutes of exposure and can be life-threatening. This is going to look a lot similar to humans who have severe bee or peanut allergies. If your dog is going into anaphylactic shock, you might notice:

  • Face and lips are swelling rapidly, significant swelling in the eyes
  • Showing signs of difficulty in breathing or laboured breathing
  • Hives or large welts developing around the body
  • Extreme and sudden weakness
  • Vomiting and uncontrollable diarrhoea

Without immediate medical attention, your dog could end up passing away from its food allergy.

How long does it take for an allergic reaction to clear up?

It should only take a few days for you to begin noticing an improvement in your pet’s health, but the entire condition will not be completely clear for around three months on average. The time it takes for your dog’s allergic reaction to clear up will largely depend on how much of the food they ate and how sensitive they are to the ingredients.

The recovery time can be expedited a little through medications and treatment provided by your vet, but this will only help to clear up adverse effects such as dryness or pain caused by frequent itching or medications like Benadryl to help reduce the urge to scratch.

Delayed allergic reaction to food

While most cases of food allergies in dogs will present some type of signs or symptoms within 24-48-hours after consumption, there are some types of food or tolerance that can push back the reaction to several days and even weeks.

In many cases, dogs will not start to develop symptoms of food allergies until after they have ingested the troublesome ingredient for a few weeks, giving the allergen time to build up in their systems, postponing noticeable problems, and making it that much harder to diagnose.

Gastrointestinal allergy symptoms in dogs

One of the most significant indications that a dog is suffering from food allergies is the change in their bathroom behaviours and gastrointestinal sounds. Although it may sound a little bizarre, knowing your pet’s potty routines and paying attention to when and why their stomachs may be bubbling, and gurgling can help you quickly identify whether a food allergy is at play or not.

Some of the most common gastrointestinal allergy symptoms in dogs result from food include but are not limited to,  

  • Diarrhoea
  • Vomiting
  • Frequent bowel movements
  • Passing gas
  • Stomach gurgling or growling sounds
  • Straining to go to the bathroom

If you suspect your dog is suffering from an allergic reaction to their food, stay vigilant when they go to the bathroom; if you notice loose or watery stool or your pet is struggling to get anything out, that should be an immediate sign of concern and should indicate that further investigation is required. 

The most common allergic reaction to food allergies in dogs

While you will typically see gastrointestinal issues with dogs suffering from food allergies, it isn’t the most common indicator, at least not for the majority of cases. Most people will start to notice their pets experience excessive itchiness, causing them to chew and lick themselves constantly, even to the point of losing patches of fur. 

These long and extreme scratching sessions commonly occur on the paws, arms, face, and back. 

You may also find your dog experiences frequent ear infections, hyperactivity, increase in aggression, weight loss, red underbelly, a dull coat, and lack of energy.

Can you cure food sensitivity in dogs?

The reason there is such a misconception regarding the commonality of food allergies in canines is that many people don’t recognize the difference between allergies and sensitivity. 

Dogs are much more likely to struggle with a sensitivity to a certain food item rather than being allergic to it. Food sensitivity has nothing to do with immune response and is typically due to the body struggling to digest or absorb the foods they are sensitive to (commonly proteins).

Although many people seem to think dogs can slowly build up a tolerance to the foods causing them discomfort, it is highly unlikely, and the only way to help your dog get back to their old selves is by eliminating the food they are struggling to digest.

How to determine which food your dog is allergic too

The easiest way to determine what types of foods your dog is allergic to is by eliminating specific ingredients from their diet slowly. This process is referred to as an elimination diet and isn’t going to be easy.

To begin the elimination diet, you have to start your pet on hypoallergenic food they have never had before and preferably with ingredients they do not normally eat. This diet should be followed for about twelve weeks. If your pet’s symptoms disappear, you know the allergin lies somewhere in their old eating habits.

You can continue to keep your dog on hypoallergenic food, or you can begin adding back different ingredients from their old meals one at a time. Each time you offer your dog a new item, wait multiple days to see if any side effects begin to show. 

You can also have your vet perform a blood test that can help narrow down which food items your dog’s immune system isn’t equipped to handle.

Final Thoughts

Although it is impossible to get rid of food allergies in dogs, or anyone else for that matter, there are plenty of ways to treat them at the onset of symptoms to provide some relief and give yourself time to fully eliminate the problem ingredient from their diet for good.

References


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