Is your dog allergic to their food? Find out the most likely ingredient causing your dog’s digestive and skin problems and how to fix it!
Dog allergies aren’t easy to diagnose as they share many symptoms with other illnesses such as skin conditions and digestive disorders. Allergies can present immediately or over time, making it even more challenging to pinpoint the cause. However, there are some dog food ingredients that are most likely the cause of your dog’s symptoms.
The most common food allergies in dogs are usually animal protein-based and are beef, dairy products, chicken, and lamb. The next likely cause of allergies includes wheat, soy, corn, and egg. However, studies show that beef, dairy chicken, and lamb have the greatest potential for canine allergies.
If your dog has begun to itch and they seem to have problems digesting their feed, it may well be the case that they have developed an allergic reaction to one or more of your dog food ingredients. If you wish to understand why your dog is not thriving and suspect they may be allergic, here’s some information to help you identify the allergen.
What Are Food Allergies In Dogs?
Some confusion exists between canine food intolerances and food allergies, as many of the symptoms may appear similar. True food allergies are distinguished from intolerances by the fact that it is an immune response that affects several organs in the body.
On the other hand, food intolerances are usually limited to digestive problems and are less potentially serious.
Mast cells play a fundamental role in canine allergic reactions to allergens, in this instance, contained in food.
Mast cells protect the body from harmful substances by means of an array of receptors ready to respond to external threats. When confronted with microbial invasion or tissue damage, they usually release inflammatory molecules in a controlled manner appropriate to the body’s needs.
In allergic reactions, the antigens react with the immunoglobulin E (IgE) bound to the mast cell IgE receptors. This reaction causes the mast cell to release certain secretory granule contents that cause acute inflammation rapidly.
The nature of food-borne allergic reactions is in part hereditary and in part environmental. Certain breeds are more susceptible to food allergies; for instance, breeds such as:
- Dalmations
- Labradors
- Golden retrievers
- Terriers( Welsh, Cairn, Scottish)
- Irish Setters.
What Foods Are Dogs Most Likely To Be Allergic To?
Dogs are most likely to be allergic to protein-rich foods such as beef, dairy products, chicken, lamb, and eggs. Other allergens include gluten in wheat as well as soy and corn.
A peer-reviewed study of the most common dog and cat food allergies combined CAB abstracts and Web of Science databases over 30 years of canine and feline allergic reaction reports. The study ascertained in clinical studies regarding almost 300 dogs was a list of the most prevalent allergies in canines as follows.
Allergen | Number of Dogs out of 297 | Percentage of study |
Beef | 102 | 34% |
Dairy Products | 51 | 17% |
Chicken | 45 | 15% |
Lamb | 43 | 14.5% |
Wheat | 38 | 13% |
Soy | 18 | 6% |
Corn | 13 | 4% |
Egg | 11 | 4% |
Fish and Rice | 5 | 2% |
Four Most Common Food Allergies in Dogs
Beef Allergy in Dogs
Dogs that are allergic to beef produce IgE in response to the beef-based IgG ( an immunoglobulin classed as having heavy chains.) IgG is one of the main allergies found in cow’s milk and meat.
A dog’s system releases its defensive response to the beef protein that its immune system believes to be an intrusive substance. The corresponding and unnecessary inflammatory response cause a variety of symptoms, both digestive and in the dog’s ears, skin and lungs.
Dairy Products and Allergy in Dogs
Many dogs suffer from a lactase deficiency, the enzyme responsible for breaking lactose down into glucose in the digestive system. Often this may take a milder form of intolerance such as loose stools, bloating, or flatulence.
More serious allergic reactions may present symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and skin conditions such as rashes and dermatitis.
Chicken Allergies in Dogs
Much like a dog’s immune system reacts to the proteins in beef, dogs may exhibit an immune-based inflammatory response to chicken meat in their diet. The dog’s system reacts to the proteins in the chicken the same way as it would an invading bacterial or viral infection.
Wheat Allergy in Dogs
Once again, a dog’s hypersensitivity to wheat in their diet involves Immunoglobulin E and mast cell response. Most frequently, the allergy is a reaction to the seed storage proteins contained in wheat.
Wheat contains prolamins called gliadins and glutenins, which form what we know as gluten. When the body responds to the presence of these allergens, the dog may present symptoms listed below.
The Signs Your Dog Has Food Allergies
Food allergies are tricky to isolate because they often manifest similarly to other skin diseases such as flea bite dermatitis and atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is a hereditary condition that causes dogs to develop allergic symptoms to otherwise usually harmless substances.
As specific diagnoses for canine food allergies are challenging, one should look for symptoms that suggest potential food allergies/intolerance.
These symptoms typically include:
- Digestive upsets
- Skin irritation
- Itching
- Chronic and recurring external ear infections
- Skin lesions on the face, feet, and ears.
Dogs suffering from food allergies will also exhibit signs in their health and overall condition, such as:
- Poor growth in younger pets
- Diarrhoea and vomiting
- Flatulence
- Scaly/oily skin
- Hair loss
- Itchy paws
- Hot spots
- Red, inflamed skin
- Coughing and wheezing.
What To Do If Your Dog Is Allergic
It is not a good idea to continue with over-the-counter feeds, even if they claim to be from selected sources. A commercial feed can often be contaminated by contact with other ingredients in the food-making process and contain undisclosed bulk ingredients.
The best way to find out what is harming your dog is to conduct a dietary elimination trial. It takes time, but it is the best way to ensure that your dog does not come in contact with the allergen behind their ill health.
Dietary Elimination Trial
Firstly, you should opt for a veterinary diet for your dietary elimination trial containing one of these options:
- Novel ingredient diet. An entirely new blend of protein and carbohydrate must replace all your dog’s previous food and treats to stabilize your pet’s immune response.
- Veterinary nutritionists designed home-cooked dog feed. Carefully prepared and nutritionally balanced home-cooked feeds are a great option to replace your old dog food.
- Hydrolyzed pet feed. This form of pet food is prepared with the proteins broken down into smaller units so that they do not trigger immune reactions in your pet.
After a month, if your dog’s symptoms start lessening, it is a good sign that your dog is allergic to his old feed. Then one should introduce the old diet to check for signs of sudden relapse.
If your dog exhibits previous allergy symptoms, you should once again adopt the novel food diet for a month.
Then through a process of elimination, provide one ingredient from the old diet at a time to isolate the ingredient that triggers your dog’s allergies.
Food Allergies in Dogs QnA
What Foods Are Dogs Least Likely To Be Allergic To?
Dogs are least likely to be allergic to a novel protein source that they have not eaten before and thus reduce the chance of immune response. These novel proteins include venison, duck, and kangaroo meat. This protein should be supplemented with novel carbohydrates such as potatoes or peas.
Alternatively, you should seek specialized dog feed called’ ‘hydrolyzed diets” which ensure that the animal’s proteins contained within the food are broken down into small enough molecules that your pet’s immune system no longer recognizes them as a threat.
What Foods To Avoid for Dogs With Allergies?
The foods to avoid for allergic dogs are Beef, dairy products, chicken, lamb, and wheat. Other foods to avoid are eggs, soy, and corn. These foods are most likely to cause an immune response in your dog, which manifests immediately or over time into secondary symptoms such as digestive or skin conditions.
Closing Thoughts
If you suspect your dog is suffering from allergies, you should consult your vet and begin a process of elimination to isolate which ingredient is causing your dog’s symptoms. Novel diets and hydrolyzed diets are potential solutions to ensure your pet no longer suffers from digestive ill-health or skin conditions.
References
- https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/food-allergies-in-dogs
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4710035/
- https://www.hillspet.co.za/dog-care/healthcare/food-allergies-in-dogs
- https://www.petmd.com/blogs/nutritionnuggets/jcoates/2011/coates/food_allergy_myths-11862
- Veterinary Immunology: An Introduction, 8th Edition