If you have a dog with food allergies, you probably know just how nerve-racking it is. It usually involves some period of trial and error watching our woofs in discomfort and not knowing how to provide relief. In this arena knowledge is power, giving consideration to food allergies & intolerances as a cause can help both your dog and you find the right solution!
An allergic reaction is an immune system’s response to mainly non-harmful substances in its environment. When the immune system responds to the threat, it releases chemical compounds which then cause inflammation. This inflammation can be noticed through observable symptoms such as redness or itchiness in the skin and feet. While the underlying cause of food allergies is still unknown, some dogs may develop an allergy later in life due to overexposure. While some dogs are fully allergic, some may have an intolerance/sensitivity to food, without actually having the allergy.
The first place that reacts to food sensitivity is the digestive tract, this is also because 70% of the dog’s immune system is located in the gut and intestine lining; this is the direct link between immune system condition and digestion. A true food allergy is much less common in dogs and is only seen about 20% of the time. The other 80% usually are intolerances and sensitivities to food or a weakened digestive tract. A true food allergy cannot be fixed and must be eliminated from the diet.
Symptoms of Food Allergy
Some food allergies are obvious due to the severity of their symptoms. On the other hand, some allergies may go unnoticed for years until the symptoms get bad enough for owners to tell. The most common symptoms include itching leading to scratching, licking their skin and paws, redness of the skin, especially in the ear, hot spots, and dry flaky skin. Some other symptoms that are not as common but shouldn’t be overlooked are hives, acne, chronic infections (skin/ears/yeast), runny eyes/nose, and coughing. If you are noticing loose or inconsistent stool it is likely a digestive problem rather than a true food allergy.
Most Common Allergies
The most common food allergy in dogs is chicken. While there is no known empirical evidence as to why chicken causes these reactions, one reason is the popularity of chicken in dog food; this leads them to become overexposed over time. Other common allergens include beef, wheat, corn, dairy, and soy. Wheat and soy can be tied to gluten allergies or intolerances, while dairy can be seen in dogs who have lactose allergies.
Diet Plans
The first and most important step in forming a diet plan for a dog with allergies is to determine the allergen. The best method found for determining what the allergen may be in your pup’s diet is an elimination diet. This diet requires you to limit your dog’s diet to one protein source, and minimal outside ingredients to start. Besides being a healthy choice, to begin with, grain-free is always a good start in an elimination diet. Begin feeding this limited diet and slowly add back in ingredients, one at a time, and determine if a reaction is present. As mentioned above, since chicken is such a common culprit for food allergies, begin with a different protein such as fish. When beginning this diet plan, try to find treats with the same ingredients you will be feeding. If you’re having trouble determining the allergen it may be more of a digestive problem. Digestive problems are typically resolved when feeding a lower-carb diet. Too many carbs can lead to excess sugar and bad bacteria forming in the dog’s gut. With that being said, some dogs have protein intolerances over carb intolerances and may need a heavier carb diet.
The elimination diet should help lead you down a path to determine at least which content is affecting your pup. There are some diets labeled “hypo-allergenic” however it does not mean there will be no triggered response, just that it is less likely. All pups are different, meaning one may respond well to the “hypo-allergenic” diet whereas others may continue to react.
Raw diets have been shown to work well for pups with sensitivity due to the limited ingredients and quality of the food. They are also free of preservatives and fillers which could be the cause of your pup’s allergy.
How do you know if the elimination diet is working?
The diet should significantly reduce signs of allergies after a 3-4 week time. This includes skin reactions as well as GI issues such as vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea. The key is to slowly add back in other food a few days apart so you can see what individual food is causing the reaction. If no reaction is present after a few days you can add in another content, and continue the process till you find your culprit. If no allergy is found, they may be reacting to something outside of their food.
Conditions Mistaken for Food Allergies
There are a few other medical conditions that share similar symptoms to food allergies and are often overlooked when searching for answers. The first condition is an allergy to a substance in the environment; this could be mold, dust, and even grass. An environmental allergy can be determined by the Veterinarian using blood, and skin sample testing. Leaky gut syndrome, when partially digested food passes through the intestinal wall, shares common symptoms such as inflammation, redness, and itching. Healing the digestive tract helps reverse, and stops leaky gut from coming back; meaning a digestive tract supportive diet should be fed.
Another condition that can mimic a food allergy is feeding a poor-quality diet; A poor quality diet lacks proper nutrients. This is created by producing food using high heat with synthetic preservatives leading to heavily processed food. Kibble is the prime of this phenomenon. Food that is prepared in this manner is hard for dogs’ bodies to recognize and break down because the nutrients take different forms which change their properties related to bioavailability. Not only will they struggle to digest the food, but their body may also identify ingredients within the food that do not support proper functioning, identify it as an invader and begin an immune system response. Foods cooked at a low temperature such as canned, raw, or dehydrated have fewer changes in the molecular makeup, allowing for a smoother digestive process and absorption of necessary nutrients.
One other common misdiagnosis is gluten intolerance. While gluten intolerances are becoming much more common in both pets and people, most of the time it is not due to a true allergy but a digestive reaction. Gluten intolerance is on a rise due to the use of GMOs and mass-production hormones in grains like wheat and soy. This reaction affects the lower intestine causing inflammation and lowering the ability to digest food causing loose stool, poor nutrition due to lack of ability to absorb nutrients from food, and skin/coat issues. If your dog has a true gluten allergy, it is considered a food allergy and should be removed from the diet. Gluten is a specific type of grain that is commonly found in wheat, barley, rye, and soy.
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/food-allergies-in-dogs
