Your dog’s skin is scratching, possibly to the point where he is licking or chewing on his paws. Or he keeps vomiting or having diarrhea. You put him on a special diet because you assume he has a food allergy. But it doesn’t work. You become frustrated and try various food combinations before bringing him to the vet to ask for assistance in identifying the specific ingredient that is causing the allergic reaction.
People frequently visit Tufts’ nutrition clinic with suspicions of food allergies, according to Cailin Heinze, VMD, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist at the Cummings School. They frequently have tried five, six, or seven different diets by the time they arrive here. It’s probably not a food allergy, though, if they all contain different ingredients and the dog doesn’t fare any better. Perhaps only 10% or less of dogs whose owners suspect they may have food allergies actually do. ”.
In addition to the abundance of articles and postings on the Internet falsely claiming that food allergies in pets are quite common, why do so many people think their dogs have food allergies?
If the issue is food-related, it’s simple to fix, according to Dr. Heinze says. You just remove the food from the diet. “So to some extent it’s wishful thinking. It really snowballs when they keep reading online about how common food allergies are. ”.
However, the majority of the persistent scratching and itching that some dogs experience is actually due to atopy, an allergy to airborne pollutants like pollen, mold, and dust mites rather than food. Allergy sufferers who inhale those substances experience congestion, runny noses, watery eyes, and sneezing as a result. They itch when allergic dogs breathe them in or walk through them (and possibly lick them off). The issue mainly affects their skin. They often get ear infections as well. Since the offending environmental substances cannot simply be removed from the dog’s environment, treating allergic reactions to them may require giving the dog medications and other treatments for the rest of his life, which is a more involved strategy than simply changing the diet.
There are often other causes for gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting, which many people mistake for food allergies. Food intolerances are more likely to be to blame for food-related nausea or other discomfort than true allergic reactions, which are an immune system attack on an outside substance. Food allergies can cause GI upset, but they are less likely to be the cause of it. In fact, Dr. Heinze claims that when a dog’s owner switches the dog’s food and the gastrointestinal symptoms disappear, the owner frequently assumes he has correctly identified a food allergy. But more often than not, she continues, “it has to do with the amount of fat in the food, how it was prepared, or the fiber content. Simply put, a dog might fare better with double the fiber or half the fat. An allergy has nothing to do with that. Of course, there are times when a dog needs to be diagnosed and treated for a gastrointestinal disease. ”.
Other Things That Cause Digestive Troubles
The same thing can happen to your dog or cat if they consume a food that doesn’t agree with them. Perhaps eating something too fatty is the cause, for example.
Vets call this food intolerance. Food intolerance differs from a food allergy in that it doesn’t involve the immune system.
You’ll need to go through the same trial-and-error procedure to determine if this is the cause of your pet’s illness as you would for a food allergy, as previously mentioned.
Diarrhea and vomiting can also come from:
Your veterinarian may need to do the following to determine what is wrong with your dog or cat:
Following diagnosis by your veterinarian, your dog or cat may require:
Key takeaway Signs and symptoms of food allergies in dogs may include itchy skin, hives, gastrointestinal issues, abdominal pain, and lethargy.
What if we told you that dogs can also have food allergies? It’s true—just like humans occasionally experience an immune response to particular foods or food groups, many dogs also experience food allergies.
If your dog consistently reacts negatively to food or displays worrying symptoms after consuming a new brand of treats, it may have a food allergy.
Everything you need to know about dog food allergy symptoms, remedies, and more is covered in this article. Here’s what you’ll find:
Let’s go over the fundamentals of food allergies in dogs.
Like people, dogs can become adversely affected by particular foods or food ingredients. Many veterinary nutritionists now use the term “adverse food reactions” to describe these reactions, which can be caused by poor eating habits, food allergies, or food intolerance.
Food intolerance and food allergy symptoms can resemble a variety of other potential health issues. Prior to a food allergy test, it’s crucial to identify and address any other issues. If your dog exhibits symptoms, your veterinarian will be able to determine whether they are caused by food or a more serious health condition. Make sure to discuss your worries, the food you’re feeding your dog, and whether a change might be beneficial with your veterinarian. Diamond CARE Sensitive Skin Formula for Adult Dogs and Diamond CARE Sensitive Stomach Formula for Adult Dogs are two limited-ingredient formulas that may help manage the symptoms of your canine companion if your veterinarian approves of changing your dog’s food. To find out more details about these foods, look at the product details pages.
Everybody has encountered a “garbage-gut” dog who will consume almost anything, regardless of whether it was intended for consumption. If you’re fortunate enough to have a canine companion without a refined palate, you are aware that it can occasionally be difficult to distinguish between a mild stomachache and a possible food allergy.
Eating inappropriately is known as dietary indiscretion, and food intolerance can be either a normal reaction to a normal food or a normal reaction to an abnormal food. For instance, it might be considered normal to experience vomiting and diarrhea after consuming moldy chicken found in the trash can. The immune system of the dog is not responsible for the vomiting and diarrhea.
Although intolerance can occur after just one meal of the offending food, the signs and symptoms of food allergy are similar to those of intolerance. A dog with a real food allergy is more likely to itch or have recurring ear or skin infections. Additionally, a true food allergy will frequently appear suddenly after a dog has been consuming the same food without any issues for months or years.
FAQ
Can dogs develop a sudden allergy to their food?
Food allergies in pets can begin at any age. Even if your cat or dog has been eating the same food for months or years, they can begin.
How do I know if my dog is allergic to his food?
What are the clinical symptoms of food allergies in dogs? The symptoms of a food allergy in dogs typically include itchy skin, paws, or ears as well as digestive issues like vomiting or diarrhea. There may also be other, subtler changes, such as hyperactivity, weight loss, fatigue, and even aggression.
How quickly does a food allergy show up in dogs?
In more extreme situations, your dog might react instantly, developing hives, swelling, and vomiting soon after consuming the allergen. However, in many instances, your dog may not exhibit symptoms for up to 14 days or for several minutes, hours, or days.
How long does a food allergy reaction last in dogs?
If you suspect your pet has a food allergy, it’s best to completely change the types of food and treats they consume before assessing whether their symptoms get better. Typically, symptoms don’t go away for about eight weeks.