Food allergies in dogs are an adverse immune system reaction to a component of a specific food. In these cases, implementing an elimination diet for dogs is one of the best solutions. Below, we summarize what this type of diet consists of and what the benefits of single-protein feeds are. However, remember that for any condition in your pet, you must consult a veterinarian and follow their instructions.
Elimination diet for dogs: what is it and how does it work?
All allergic reactions are triggered by proteins in food. This is why foods with a greater variety of proteins have a higher risk of causing an allergic reaction. However, it is often difficult to detect the specific allergen. This is because prepared foods are made with many different ingredients. In this sense, elimination diets in dogs are an effective way to identify the cause of an allergic reaction in order to take appropriate action.
What does an elimination diet consist of?
Thus, elimination diets are used to identify the allergen causing the symptoms of the allergy. Therefore, it is important that they reduce the risk of triggering allergic reactions. We can find two different options for elimination diets:
- Homemade diet. It must contain a single source of animal protein and a single source of carbohydrates. In this regard, we recommend the TrovetPlus Unique Protein range. An ideal food to help diagnose food hypersensitivity in dogs.
- Hypoallergenic diet. In this case, it is important that the animal protein in the elimination diet is a protein the dog has not been exposed to before.
Single-protein feeds are especially suitable when designing elimination diets for dogs. This is because they contain only one source of protein. In addition, the meat in single-protein feeds comes from animals that are not usually used in regular food preparations. For example, game animals such as wild boar and deer.
Discover the TrovetPlus veterinary food range for dogs with food allergies and intolerances. You will find a wide variety of hypoallergenic wet food, dry food, and snacks with a single source of animal protein. For an elimination diet, we highlight the Unique Protein range, specially designed to facilitate the diagnosis of allergies in dogs.
For an elimination diet, we highlight the Unique Protein range, specially designed to facilitate the diagnosis of allergies in dogs.
How is an elimination diet carried out?
In general terms, the steps to carry out an elimination diet in dogs are as follows:
- Elimination diet. The duration of the elimination diet is 8 to 12 weeks. In most cases, improvement is observed within the first 6–8 weeks. However, for complete recovery it may be necessary to extend the diet to 10–12 weeks.
- Gradual incorporation of foods. The next step is to gradually offer your pet ingredients from their regular diet.
- Evaluation. The confirmation or ruling out of a possible allergy will depend on the body’s response to the introduction of the new ingredient(s).
You must remember that you can only carry out an elimination diet in dogs under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Other recommendations
Finally, here are a couple of points that may be of interest if you are about to start an elimination diet in dogs:
- Other pets in the household. If you have more than one pet at home, it is advisable to offer the same diet to all of them. This way, you avoid the risk of altering the results with cross-contamination or accidental exposure.
- Treats. It is essential to eliminate edible treats that may alter the exclusivity of the diet’s ingredients. Consult your veterinarian about which products can replace your pet’s usual treats.
