Dogs and Food Allergies
At EnTrust Pet Foods we know your pets are like family. And like any family member, you want to provide them with the very best. We understand how alarming it can be if you suspect your dog may have a food allergy with their current dog food. Therefore, we had our canine nutritionists walk us through how to spot the signs and symptoms of a food allergy, and what to do if your dog is suffering from one.
What is a dog food allergy?
A dog food allergy is the result of the immune system mistakenly perceiving a harmless substance, typically a food protein, as something dangerous to the body. The immune system will then fight this protein, known as an allergen, by over-producing antibodies to attack it. The next time the dog consumes this protein, the immune system is ready, and it reacts by releasing histamine and other chemicals which trigger symptoms of an allergic reaction.
The degree to which the immune system reacts during exposure to the allergen can vary from subtle signs to life-threatening situations. It’s also important to note that it can take years of repeated exposure to a specific food allergen before the immune system responds with an allergic reaction. Meaning, it’s not uncommon for a dog to develop a food allergy to food they have been consuming for a while without any previous issues.
Unfortunately, it can be tough to identify and diagnose a dog food allergy as the symptoms are similar to other allergies, such as environmental allergies and some medical disorders. Therefore, it’s important to work with your veterinarian to rule out other medical conditions if you suspect a food allergy. Symptoms of a dog food allergy can include:
- Excessive scratching or licking due to itchy skin (especially around the face, muzzle, paws, ears, armpits, and hind area)
- Hot spots, skin rashes, or hives
- Chronic ear infections or inflammation
- Sometimes nausea and vomiting
Dog food allergies should not be confused with food intolerances. An intolerance is when the digestive system does not digest a specific ingredient properly. Symptoms of a dog food intolerance can include gas, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
How do you treat dog food allergies?
It can be very difficult and time consuming to get an accurate diagnosis of the specific food allergen your dog is allergic to. This process involves starting a completely unique diet that contains ingredients your dog’s immune system has never been exposed to. Then, individual ingredients are added back to the diet in successive, 8–12-week trials to determine which one is causing the reaction. If you are able to find the allergen, treatment is to simply avoid products that contain the offending ingredients.
The most common ingredients that cause an allergic reaction in dogs include, but are not limited to, beef, chicken, dairy products, eggs, corn, wheat, and soybeans. Keep in mind, these ingredients are typically in most dog foods, yet only a small percentage of dogs actually develop a true food allergy.
While not conclusive, another option is to switch to a dog food that contains new or different meat and protein sources than the one you’re currently using. Our EnTrust Lamb and Rice Dog Food and EnTrust Pork and Barley Dog Food can be beneficial to dogs that show signs of food allergies to the most common meat and grain sources. These dog foods contain single-source meat proteins and a combination of rice, barley, and oats as grain sources. EnTrust offers science based, complete and balanced formulas to meet your dog’s specific nutritional needs resulting in a difference you can see in your animal’s overall appearance and health. For more information on EnTrust, visit our website.