Food allergies in dogs are relatively common disorders. In this article, we help you differentiate allergies from intolerances and recognize their symptoms. In addition, we explain the different ways to identify them. However, remember that whenever your pet shows any health problems, you must go to a professional. The veterinarian is the one who can make a diagnosis and decide the appropriate treatment for your dog.
Differences between food allergies in dogs and food intolerances
Although they can easily be confused, food allergies in dogs are different from intolerances. Here are the characteristics of each type of disorder:
- Food allergies. Food allergies are an immune system response to one or more allergens in food, usually proteins. The first time the body comes into contact with such an allergen, it perceives it as a harmful substance, even though it is not. As a result, the body generates antibodies. Later, with subsequent intakes, the antibodies react and allergy symptoms appear.
- Food intolerances. Intolerances are not an immune reaction. They are simply an abnormal reaction of the body to a food that it cannot assimilate totally or partially. Therefore, intolerances do not require prior exposure to trigger symptoms.
Symptoms of allergic reactions
The main symptoms of a food allergy are related to skin disorders. However, it can also affect the digestive system. Less frequently, symptoms related to the respiratory or nervous system may appear.
- Dermatitis. Skin signs such as redness and intense itching of the skin are the most common. Sometimes, we may observe wounds due to scratching. It is also common for skin symptoms to affect internal areas, such as the ears, and dogs may end up developing otitis.
- Gastrointestinal problems. Signs related to the digestive system are more typical of food intolerances. However, sometimes they can be caused by a food allergy. Some of these symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence, and weight loss.
Diagnostic methods
There are different veterinary diagnostic methods to confirm a suspected food allergy in dogs. The veterinarian will decide which one is most appropriate depending on each pet’s symptoms:
- Elimination diet. This consists of removing foods suspected of causing the allergy. If the dog’s symptoms improve with this change in diet, the diagnosis of food allergy will be confirmed.
- Hypoallergenic diet. Foods formulated with a single source of animal protein can also be offered.
- Skin test. This type of test provides a direct and precise result. It consists of testing the main food allergens on the dog’s skin.
What does an elimination diet involve?
You can only put an elimination diet into practice with your pet when recommended by your veterinarian and always under their supervision. To begin with, the professional will need a list of all the ingredients your dog has eaten throughout its life. With this information, a new diet will be created without any of these ingredients and with a single source of animal protein and a single source of carbohydrates. You must carry out the elimination diet for 8-12 weeks without introducing any food from the old diet.
After this period of time, you can reintroduce the old diet, when and how the veterinarian indicates. If food allergy symptoms do not reappear, a food allergy will be ruled out. If they reappear, the elimination diet will be repeated for several more weeks. If the symptoms disappear, it can be confirmed that it is indeed a food allergy.
Treatment
Unfortunately, food allergies in dogs have no cure. Thus, the only treatment consists of eliminating the foods that cause the reactions from the diet. Therefore, drugs are only prescribed if scratching has caused severe skin lesions, or to reduce the symptoms of the allergy. In the latter case, antihistamines or corticosteroids may need to be administered. Keep in mind that it is essential for any medication to be supervised by a veterinarian.
