Itchy paws, redness, frequent ear infections, tummy troubles?
These can all be signs that your dog is allergic to something in their everyday life. We see dog allergies constantly, so you are not alone. The good news: there is a game plan. A common culprit is diet, with many allergens being present in food.
As with people, dogs can react poorly to certain proteins or ingredients due to either a food allergy or hypersensitivity. Just as a person can have a milk allergy or be lactose intolerant, both of these can severely impact how your dog processes & reacts to certain foods. Similarly, allergies can also develop at any point in your dog’s lifespan, so it is important to always monitor symptoms.
Food allergies are most commonly manifested in chronic symptoms of itchiness, redness, ear infections, paw-licking, and digestive distress. Many times, these are met with medications or injections – however these will only temporarily reduce symptoms, which are bound to return. The only true way to treat a food allergy is to eliminate it from their diet.
Risk Factors for Dog Allergies
At this point you may be thinking: it sounds like my dog could be suffering from a food allergy, but how will I know if it’s the protein, produce, or carbs in his diet?! Depending on severity, length, and other factors of the allergy, there are many ways we can tackle this issue.
First: Is your dog’s breed prone to allergies? If they are, this may imply they have multiple food allergies. Breeds prone to allergies include Pitbulls, Cocker Spaniels, Boxers, Golden & Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Boston Terriers, and more. These breeds, or mixes of them, would benefit largely from the Ucari test – which we will discuss later on.
Next: Does your dog’s diet consist largely of any of the top canine allergens? These include beef, chicken, wheat, soy, eggs, & dairy products. Although this is not nearly the limit for possible allergies, these are a great place to start if you are looking to do an elimination diet.
Once you have figured out your dog’s risk factor for food allergies, we can start addressing it! Eliminating the allergens from your dog’s food and environment is the best way to mitigate symptoms. Most positive responses will be seen within eight weeks of total elimination, so stick with it! Figuring out exactly what to eliminate can be tricky, but we are here to help.
Elimination Diets
One way to start an elimination is to begin with chicken or beef – if one of them is prevalent in your dog’s diet. Since these are common allergens, this is an easy choice to begin testing out. If these are not in your dog’s diet, or you suspect multiple allergies, we have a wonderful intolerance test from Ucari. With a simple hair sample, they will test your dog for over 1,000 allergens in food, environment, & household products.
Once you get your results, our team will help you sift through your dog’s intolerances to find a diet suitable to their needs! We have had wonderful results for our customers with this test. Just check out how Cooper, the Boston Terrier, fared with his test results, according to his mom:
“I bought the Ucari sensitivity test for my pup who has struggled for six years with food allergies. After getting the results I changed his diet and he is like a new dog! It was the best 80 dollars I spent. “
Extra Support for Severe Cases
Although most dog allergies can be addressed with solely elimination, some instances need extra support. You know your dog best, but if they have been suffering for years with an unknown allergy, their symptoms may not only be more severe, but more embedded into their bodies. The most common issue we see with long-term allergies is in their gut health.
Gut health and allergies are sometimes the chicken and the egg, where one can cause the other. Whether your dog’s unchecked allergy has caused a weak gut microbiome, or the other way around, it is important to focus on supporting them during this diet transition.
Your dog’s gut is directly connected to their immune system, making allergies & gut health go hand in hand. When dealing with their allergies, we highly suggest adding in a probiotic to support their body in healing. For more intense allergy symptoms, Gut Soothe from Adored Beast is a perfect option, as it works to decrease inflammation.
In the most severe cases, where your dog is truly suffering with their symptoms, your vet may suggest a hydrolyzed diet temporarily. After being on this for a few months, we would then begin to introduce safe proteins & foods back into their diet. Hydrolyzed proteins are broken down, so your dog’s body doesn’t have to do the work in digesting it, leading to less issues. However, most hydrolyzed diets on the market are full of other allergens & inflammatory ingredients such as corn and soy.
Luckily, we offer SquarePet VFS, a veterinary-formulated diet that utilizes a hydrolyzed protein along with more natural ingredients. This is a wonderful option for severe dog allergies, as it gives a true “clean slate”.
Our Team is Here to Help!
We know navigating potential food allergies can be overwhelming, and that’s why our team is committed to finding a natural solution to their symptoms. You and your dog don’t need to deal with monthly injections at the vet or daily pills to fight dog allergies. Let us help you find the root cause to their discomfort, leading to a happier and healthier life for you both.
