How to Tell

If Your Dog Is Allergic

to Its Food

Signs and Symptoms to Know

Educate yourself on the red flags so that you may improve your doggo's quality of life.

Common Issues You'll Notice

As you may know, an allergic reaction is when the body mistakes a harmless substance (such as the proteins in your food) as a threat. As a result, your dog's immune system kicks into high gear - often resulting in collateral damage. Here are the typical signs and symptoms of a food allergy:

1) Frequent, sometimes relentless scratching

2) Frequent Sneezing and / or nasal discharge

3) Eye discharge (high quantities of 'gunk' in the corners and lids)

4) Diarrhea

5) Vomiting

6) Rough, leathery skin texture

7) Coat & hair loss

8) Itchy, scaly and/or oily skin rashes

9) Ear infections - around 50% of dogs with allergies suffer ear related issues.

A common (and sometimes dangerous) misconception is that food allergies only affect the digestive tract in dogs. As you can see, there's actually quite a range of symptoms to be aware of!

Dog allergies can manifest in much the same way as a human - varying in severity and triggers. Unfortunately, your doggo is not able to communicate what they're feeling in the same way, as such it's very important to pay close attention to their behaviour and be mindful of the symptoms they may be dealing with. We'll list the most common food allergens in the next section, to help you to make an informed decision on what may be causing the issues.

Most Common Food Allergens

So you've worked out that your dog is indeed likely dealing with allergies. Let's dive in and see what could be causing the reaction. Below, we'll list the most 5 common allergens according to BMC Veterinary Research as well as their corresponding percentages amongst dogs with allergies.

1) Beef Proteins: 34%

2) Dairy: 17%

3) Chicken Proteins: 15%

4) Wheat: 13%

5) Soy: 6%

Right out of the gate, Beef and Chicken proteins are the most common meat and kibble related allergens in dogs. It's important to note that it's the proteins specifically found in these types of products that typically cause problems - not the actual product itself. For instance, a dog with a Chicken allergy may still be able to eat chicken fat without suffering a reaction.

Dairy is another common allergen - specifically, the proteins in milk or products derived from it. For example, you may find that giving your dog cheese as a training mechanism triggers an allergic reaction - we always recommend using treats that are manufactured specifically for dogs.

Wheat is also a common allergen. It's also important to note that dogs have shorter, more straight digestive tracks that are perfect for metabolising meat. However, wheats and grains can take longer to break down - meaning it's possible your dog may have a general intolerance to wheat and grain products.

What is an Elimination Diet?

It's possible that with the facts above, you've figured out what the culprit (or culprits) may be in your doggo's case. Now, it's time to eliminate the allergens you suspect may be causing grief.

As the name of the diet suggests, the goal here is to narrow down the list of possible allergens through the process of elimination until you either discover the allergen itself, and find a food that fits along the way.

When you switch your dog's food, you may find a near instant improvement in the coming days - however, it's important to note that dogs that are acustomed to certain flavours may be slow to take on new foods at first. Typically, when rotating food it's suggested to 'ween them off' slowly. However in this case, an allergen is involved - it may be worth trying a 'cold turkey' switch (stopping their previous food immediately) first to see if your dog will take to it at first, as you don't want to prolong the discomfort your friend is facing.

If you're thinking about replacing your food now, it's definitely worth starting with some safer options - we have a few recommendations that work very well as a starting point. Let's start with a few questions!