Recognizing and Treating Food Allergies in Dogs

Even if we dog owners make every effort to feed our furry friends a healthy diet, it is not uncommon for health problems to arise due to dog food. Our four-legged friends are increasingly suffering from food allergies, where they show an allergic reaction to certain food components. We will tell you below how you can recognize such an allergy and what you should feed your four-legged friend in such a case.

The main allergens of dogs at a glance

A study published in 2016 investigated which food components dogs most frequently have an allergic reaction to. It turned out that animal proteins are one of the main allergens for dogs. 34% of the dogs tested reacted to beef, 15% to chicken and 14.5% to lamb. In addition, positive reactions were also seen to dairy products (17%) and wheat (13%). Dogs react most frequently to these food components, but other substances can also trigger an allergy.

What is the difference between food allergy and food intolerance?

The terms food allergy and food intolerance are often used synonymously, but differ in important aspects. An allergy is a reaction of the immune system. The repeated ingestion of an otherwise harmless substance causes the immune system to overreact. The body tries to fight the allergen, which can lead to numerous defensive reactions.

In the case of food intolerance, however, the body's own immune system is not involved. In this case, your furry friend has difficulty digesting certain food components. While an allergy develops over a longer period of time, an intolerance is a direct reaction to the triggering substance. Regardless of whether it is a food allergy or a food intolerance - in both cases, your four-legged friend can benefit from a change in food.

How common is food allergy in dogs?

Although researchers have been conducting studies on the prevalence of food allergies in dogs for over 30 years, they still do not have exact figures. This is partly because there are no uniform and therefore comparable studies. In addition, it is difficult to distinguish between allergic and non-allergic causes of food hypersensitivity.

What the studies show is that food allergies in dogs are relatively rare. The problems that do occur are more often due to unsuitable food and non-immunological intolerances.

Itching, paw licking & ear infections: The most common symptoms of an allergy

The symptoms of a food allergy are varied - they range from skin problems to gastrointestinal complaints. The most common signs of an allergy include the following:

• itching
• paw licking
• skin inflammations
• ear infections
• hair loss
• Diarrhea
• Vomit
• flatulence

Please note that these symptoms can also indicate other diseases and do not necessarily indicate a dog food allergy.

Suspected food allergy? This is what you can do for your furry friend

If you have observed some of the symptoms mentioned above in your four-legged friend, you should visit a veterinarian to find out the cause. Food allergies are sometimes difficult to diagnose, so other illnesses should be ruled out first. If your furry friend is suffering from itching, for example, it makes sense to first rule out an infestation of bacteria, fungi and parasites.

If other causes can be ruled out, an elimination diet is a good idea. This involves feeding the dog food with only one source of protein and carbohydrate. If this dog food is well tolerated over several weeks, other foods can be added to find out which ones are causing the problem. This helps to identify and avoid the allergenic food component.

An alternative to the complex exclusion diet is switching to hypoallergenic dog food. This is also colloquially known as allergy food because it does not contain the dog's main allergens and is therefore well tolerated by many four-legged friends.

Hypoallergenic dog food: The best solution for four-legged allergy sufferers

If you are looking for a hypoallergenic dog food for your loyal companion, VEGDOG is the right place for you. Due to the food allergy of her German Shepherd mix Nelson, our founder Tessa worked with veterinarians to develop a vegan dog food that does not contain the dog's main allergens.

Instead of using animal proteins that can trigger allergies, we use plant-based alternatives. We have developed a complete dog food that meets 100% of your dog's nutritional needs and optimally covers them. We only use high-quality ingredients and avoid gluten and soy, as well as attractants and colorings. Thanks to the hypoallergenic recipe, our dog food is well tolerated and particularly suitable for allergy sufferers.

VEGDOG wet and dry food for allergic dogs

In our range you will find everything your heart desires. Regardless of whether your pet prefers dry food or wet food - with us you will find the right food for your allergic four-legged friend.

To meet your dog's protein needs, VEGDOG dog food contains plant proteins such as oatmeal, peas, lentils, lupins or amaranth. We use potatoes, sweet potatoes and millet as gluten-free grains as carbohydrate sources. But you will also find essential fatty acids, vitamins and trace elements in our vegan dog food, so that your dog is well supplied with all the nutrients it needs. The best thing to do is to browse through our range yourself and discover our delicious food for dogs with allergies!

Thoroughly hypoallergenic recipes: No exception for the treats either

If your furry friend suffers from a food allergy, you also have to be careful with the treats. These should also not contain any allergy-causing ingredients, as even the smallest amounts can cause allergy symptoms. At VEGDOG you will therefore also find vegan treats with a hypoallergenic recipe. From classic dental sticks for dental care to small training snacks for rewards in between, everything is there.

Do you want to cook for your dog with allergies? We have the right nutritional supplements for you

Would you like to cook a healthy meal for your dog with allergies yourself? We have a solution for this too: With our nutritional supplements, you can improve the home-cooked food of your four-legged friend and ensure an optimal supply of nutrients. If you have a food allergy, you don't necessarily have to switch to hypoallergenic food; you can also prepare meals yourself. The advantage here is that you know exactly what ends up in the food bowl - but it takes a lot more time.

Conclusion

If your dog shows symptoms of a food allergy, it is always a good idea to see a vet. They can rule out other diseases and advise you on an exclusion diet and a change in food. If a food allergy has been diagnosed, a change in diet is necessary in any case. VEGDOG's hypoallergenic dog food can help with this. It does not contain the dog's main allergens and is therefore particularly well tolerated by many furry friends.

FAQ

What are the most common food allergies in dogs?
According to a study, the main allergens in dogs are mainly animal proteins. Dogs react mainly to beef (34%), chicken (15%) and lamb (14.5%). In addition, allergic reactions were also seen to dairy products (17%) and wheat (13%).

What can dogs with food allergies eat?
In principle, dogs with a food allergy can eat anything that does not contain the allergen that triggers the allergy. Hypoallergenic food for dogs is usually a good choice - even if the allergen has not yet been identified.

Can a food allergy in dogs be cured?
A food allergy in dogs cannot be cured, but it can be well controlled by consistently changing the food and avoiding the allergens that trigger it.