More and more dogs are suffering from food allergies and intolerances. It often takes some time for dog owners to recognize the symptoms and act accordingly. Below you can find out which foods often trigger allergies and intolerances in dogs. We'll also tell you how to recognize and treat the symptoms.

Food allergy vs. food intolerance

If your furry friend can't tolerate their food, an allergy or intolerance may be the cause. These two terms are often used as synonyms, but they differ in certain respects.

In the case of food allergies, the repeated ingestion of an actually harmless food component causes the immune system to overreact. The allergenic substances are combated by the immune system, resulting in numerous defense reactions. In the case of food intolerances or intolerances, however, the dog's body's own defense system is not involved. In this case, the four-legged friend cannot absorb, process or break down certain food components. In contrast to an allergy, small amounts of the intolerant food component are often tolerated. All in all, food allergies occur less frequently in dogs than intolerances.

Symptoms: How does a food allergy manifest itself in dogs?

The signs of a food allergy or intolerance can be varied. The most common symptoms include recurring itching and skin inflammation. Ears and paws are often affected, as are the muzzle and the stomach and groin area. These skin irritations can also lead to excessive nibbling and licking of the affected areas. Digestive problems such as diarrhea and vomiting, on the other hand, are much less common.

What to do if an allergy is suspected?

If you suspect a food allergy or intolerance, you should first consult a vet and have the symptoms clarified. In most cases, an exclusion diet will then be recommended. This can be used to find out which food(s) are allergenic or cannot be tolerated by your four-legged friend. The elimination diet therefore goes hand in hand with a change of food. It is good to know which foods are among the dog's main allergens.

Beef, chicken, lamb & Co. - the dog's main allergens

In the course of a study, various allergens were tested in dogs to find out which trigger the most reactions and are therefore among the main allergens. The most common food allergies were triggered by animal proteins. The most likely food allergens included the following:

What meat can I still feed my allergy dog?

As animal protein is one of the main allergens in dogs, it may be that your four-legged friend is already unable to eat many types of meat due to the allergy. In such cases, it is advisable to only use one source of protein. In addition to other types of poultry, goat, venison, deer, horse and rabbit, there are also many exotic varieties such as buffalo, kangaroo and ostrich. An exclusion diet can be used to find out which protein source your four-legged friend can tolerate. However, if you want to completely exclude animal proteins due to a food allergy, then the vegan dog food from VEGDOG is the right choice for you and your furry friend.

VEGDOG - The perfect dog food for allergies

We at VEGDOG have worked with vets to develop a vegan dog food that excludes the main allergens in dogs. This makes it particularly suitable for four-legged friends with food allergies. Our hypoallergenic dog food contains all the essential nutrients your pet needs and is therefore 100% complete. We only use high-quality ingredients in the production of our allergy food for dogs and do not use any artificial attractants or colorants. What's more, our VEGDOG dog food is also gluten-free.

All in all, the perfect dog food for allergy sufferers! The best thing about it: we not only offer well-tolerated wet food and dry food , but also have numerous treats up our sleeve so that your furry friend can be spoiled with culinary delights all round.