If your dog has been experiencing digestive trouble or itchy skin, they might have a food allergy. But narrowing down which food your dog might be allergic to, let alone whether they have an allergy at all, can feel overwhelming.
How can you tell if your dog has food allergies? The best way is to schedule an appointment with your vet. They can walk you through a food elimination diet and other methods of pinpointing allergies. They can also rule out other potential causes of your furry friend’s symptoms.
This guide is also a good starting point for understanding food intolerances and allergies.
Do you suspect your dog might have food allergies? Call our animal hospital in New York today to schedule an appointment.
What Are Food Allergies in Dogs?
Cutaneous adverse food reactions (CAFRs), or food allergies, occur when a dog’s immune system overreacts to certain ingredients or foods, usually proteins. This response typically develops over a prolonged period rather than immediately after a dog eats a certain food for the first time. When exposed to allergens, the dog’s immune system develops antibodies against some part of the ingredient, leading to inflammation or other symptoms.
Food allergies are distinct from food intolerances, which do not involve the immune system. Food intolerance can occur at any time, either upon first exposure to a food or after repeated consumption. The dog may not show symptoms to small amounts of the food but instead become symptomatic with larger portions.
Why Do Dogs Develop Food Allergies?
It may seem strange that your dog has developed an allergy to a food they previously enjoyed. For some dogs, allergies do not develop until later in life.
Food allergies often develop for no specific reason. The immune system malfunctions, developing antibodies against a food it previously accepted.
Certain dogs might have a genetic predisposition to developing food allergies. For example, Cocker Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, and West Highland White Terriers might have a higher risk of developing food allergies or intolerances. However, they can happen to any dog at any age.
Common Food Allergies in Dogs
Some foods tend to trigger allergic reactions in dogs more than others. Typically, dogs develop allergies to proteins, such as:
- Beef
- Chicken
- Eggs
However, it is also common for a dog to be allergic to dairy, wheat, or soy.
While these allergies are the most common, dogs can develop allergies to virtually any food. Often, a dog’s owner realizes that they must be allergic to an ingredient in their kibble but is unsure which one.
Signs Your Dog Might Have Food Allergies
How can you tell if your dog has food allergies? Certain symptoms might alert you to a new allergy development in your furry friend. Food allergies can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms, skin irritation, and, in rare cases, anaphylaxis.
Both food allergies and intolerances can cause gastrointestinal upset, with symptoms such as:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Excessive gas
You might notice these symptoms soon after they finish eating. You might also notice weight loss or decreased energy over time due to the physical toll the allergy has taken on their digestive system.
Dogs can also exhibit skin irritation as a response to food allergies and intolerances. These symptoms might include:
- Itchy, red skin
- Hair loss due to scratching
- Licking or chewing the paws
- Frequent skin infections or ear infections
Dog owners often attribute these symptoms to seasonal allergies, but they can also be signs of newly developed food allergies.
In rare cases, a dog might have an anaphylactic reaction to allergens, with symptoms such as swelling, hives, excessive drooling, or respiratory distress.
Understanding Different Levels of Food Allergies
Food allergies in dogs can range in severity significantly. Some dogs may only show mild symptoms, such as a minor skin rash. Other times, a food allergy can be life-threatening, leading to anaphylaxis and potentially fatal reactions.
For dogs with mild allergies, symptoms might not immediately appear after eating the allergen. Severe reactions tend to come on quickly and produce serious symptoms.
Foods That Are Always Unsafe for Dogs
It’s important to understand that some foods are always unsafe for dogs’ digestive systems. You should never give your dog any of the following:
- Raw meat
- Grapes, raisins, and currants
- Chocolate
- Macadamia nuts
- Xylitol, a sugar substitute found in gum, candies, and some nut butters
- Onions, garlic, and chives
- Large quantities of salty snacks
- Moldy foods
- Fried and fatty foods
It’s generally best to check with your vet before giving your pup any human foods. Take care to keep foods out of their reach, especially if your dog is food-motivated or likes to dig around in the cupboard, on counters, or in the trash.
How Vets Test for Food Allergies
Allergy testing for dogs differs from that for humans. While humans can rely on blood testing to look for antibodies, this method is generally considered unreliable for dogs. Instead, the most common way to tell if your dog has food allergies and to pinpoint what they might be allergic to is through a hypoallergenic diet.
Your vet will begin by recommending a special diet that they should follow for eight to 12 weeks as part of a “food trial.” This food trial should ensure that your dog eats no ingredients that are part of their normal diet. During this time, avoid giving your pup any treats, human food, or snacks; stick to the trial diet alone.
If your dog’s symptoms resolve during this trial period, you can assume that they are allergic to an ingredient in their normal diet. The next step is to perform a food challenge by slowly introducing various ingredients into their diet, such as meats, grains, carbohydrates, dairy products, and eggs, and monitoring their response.
Introducing these foods one at a time will allow you to pinpoint which one is causing the allergy symptoms. Once you have narrowed down this ingredient, your vet can recommend treatment options.
Treating Food Allergies in Dogs
The primary way to treat food allergies is to avoid feeding your dog foods that contain the allergen. For example, if your dog is allergic to chicken, your vet will recommend kibble products that do not contain this or related allergens. Watch out for certain foods that may be labeled as “limited-ingredient,” as they could still contain allergens.
Your vet may also prescribe medications to help manage your furry friend’s allergy symptoms, especially while they are transitioning to their new diet. These may include antihistamines, steroids, or allergy medications like Apoquel or Cytopoint. Giving your dog certain supplements, such as omega fatty acids, could also help reduce symptoms related to their skin health.
In some cases, a vet might prescribe a hydrolyzed protein diet for dogs with more than one protein allergy. This type of kibble includes proteins that have been hydrolyzed or broken down into smaller particles, helping them bypass the immune response.
The exact treatment depends on your dog’s overall health, the severity of their allergy, the type of allergy, and a range of other factors. Always consult your vet to determine the best course of action if your pup has developed a new allergy.
Distinguishing Between Seasonal Allergies vs. Food Allergies in Dogs
It can sometimes be hard to distinguish between food vs. seasonal allergies in dogs, especially if the allergy is new and you have not recently changed anything about their diet. Seasonal allergies are more common than food allergies, which is why many dog owners assume that their pups’ skin irritation and related symptoms are the result of environmental allergens.
Your vet can assess your dog’s health and specific symptoms to determine whether the allergen might be environmental or food-related. There are also a few distinctions between the two that can help you tell if your dog has food allergies.
- Timing: Seasonal allergies often appear when pollen counts are high, such as in the spring and fall. You might notice your dog’s allergy symptoms worsening during these times.
- Persistency of symptoms: Food allergies persist year-round as long as the dog is exposed to the allergen in their diet, while seasonal allergies may only occur at certain times of the year.
- Type of symptoms: Seasonal allergies typically don’t produce gastrointestinal symptoms. However, both food and seasonal allergies can lead to ear infections and skin irritation.
- Skin reaction location: Seasonal allergies tend to produce skin reactions on the paws, belly, and face, while food allergies can lead to rashes and itching anywhere on the body.
- Response to dietary changes: If you try an elimination diet with your dog and see no change in symptoms, they might have seasonal allergies.
Some dogs have both seasonal and food allergies. In these cases, it might take a process of elimination to narrow down exactly what your furry friend is allergic to.
What To Do If Your Dog Experiences a Severe Allergic Reaction
In rare cases, exposure to a food allergen might lead a dog to have an anaphylactic reaction. This is an immediate, severe reaction caused by the immune system overreacting to the allergen.
You can distinguish anaphylaxis from normal allergic reactions by its sudden and extreme appearance. Anaphylaxis often occurs immediately after a dog consumes an allergen. Symptoms might include any of the following:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive drooling
- Hives
- Swelling of the face, lips, or throat
- Difficulty breathing
- Wheezing
- Pale or brick-red gums
- Weak pulse
- Collapse or seizure
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and requires prompt veterinary treatment. Don’t hesitate to take your dog to the closest emergency vet if you see any of these symptoms.
The vet will assess your dog’s condition and likely administer epinephrine to counteract the effects of anaphylaxis, constrict the blood vessels, and open the airways. They may also provide supplemental oxygen and administer other medications to treat your dog’s specific symptoms.
When dogs are known to have severe allergies that lead to anaphylaxis, the vet might prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector that the owner can keep on hand in case of a future reaction.
Schedule an Appointment With Hudson Animal Hospital Today
If you suspect that your dog has food allergies or has been exhibiting any abnormal symptoms, it’s best to take them to the vet for an exam. There could be an underlying cause of the symptoms that your vet can easily pinpoint and treat. Alternatively, they can create a diagnostic plan to identify the allergen, such as an elimination diet.
At Hudson Animal Hospital, we commonly diagnose and treat allergies in dogs. Our dedicated team of doctors cares deeply about your furry friend’s health and well-being. We won’t stop until we have found the allergen and created an effective, long-term treatment plan.
We make it easy to schedule appointments with online booking and flexible hours. Request an appointment today or call 212-706-4088 if you have a question for our vets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can food allergies in dogs be cured?
Food allergies generally cannot be cured in dogs. Your dog will likely have this allergy for the rest of their life. However, the right dietary changes can minimize or eliminate symptoms associated with it. Your vet will help you develop a plan to pinpoint the allergy and eliminate it from your dog’s diet.
Will my dog be more likely to develop more allergies in the future?
Some dogs who develop a food allergy go on to develop more food allergies in the future, but this is not guaranteed. Dogs with food allergies might have sensitive stomachs or simply be prone to allergies. They might also have environmental or flea allergies. Your vet will help you determine exactly what your pup is allergic to and manage their symptoms.
What is the most common food allergy in dogs?
Some sources suggest that beef is the most common food allergy in dogs, followed by dairy and chicken. Dogs can develop allergies to any protein or carbohydrate they eat, and some are allergic to more than one ingredient. You can tell if your dog has food allergies by eliminating all common ingredients from their diet and then slowly reintroducing them.