Food Allergy in Dogs

It is commonly known that at some point in a dog's life, it will suffer from an allergic or adverse reaction to a food ingredient. For most of these cases, the condition is mild and short lived, and not a great cause of concern. For some dogs however, a recurrent and ongoing reaction to their diet may require veterinary intervention. It is important to note that there are two major types of food reactions: food intolerance or food allergy.

Food intolerance is caused by either a metabolic disorder, or by toxicity due to a food contaminant. Food intolerances commonly cause diarrhea or vomiting, but do not create a typical allergic response.

Food allergies account for about 10% of all allergies seen in dogs. Food allergies affect both dogs and cats, and unlike atopy, there is no strong link between specific breeds and food allergies. Food allergies are non-seasonal, and are the most frequent cause of skin disease in animals under 6 months of age. They can show up as early as five months, or as late as 12 years of age. Most cases occur between 2 and 6 years. Many animals with food allergies also have concurrent inhalant or contact allergies.

The food allergy reaction is mediated through an immune response. Food allergy in dogs is most often manifested through dermatological symptoms, ear inflammation, excessive feet licking, generalized itching, gastritis, and in some cases vomiting and diarrhea. Food allergy cannot be diagnosed or identified by intra-dermal testing. Additionally, food sensitivities cannot be treated by immunotherapy, so avoidance and elimination diets are the only form of treatment for food allergy.

Diagnosing food allergy in dogs can be difficult. A true elimination diet and food trial is a lengthy process. The strict owner compliance required for a successful elimination diet can be an obstacle, especially if the pet does not respond quickly or show improvement. A typical elimination diet takes between 3-10 weeks.

An alternative source for identifying food allergies is through an in vitro (serum) test. In this test, a small amount of serum is drawn from the animal and sent to a lab for testing. The ELISA assay will detect circulating levels of IgE to food allergens in the canine's serum. This indicates which food ingredients should be avoided. Conversely, a negative food allergy score is an equally valuable piece of information, as these indicate which foods are acceptable to feed.

Pet food manufactures now work closely with some in vitro laboratories to provide detailed ingredient lists of their commercial diets. This is useful in helping pet owners choose acceptable diets and treats for their pets. New diets on the market include specialty ingredients, including spinach, tomato, green bean, green pea, apple, blueberry, and shellfish.

This website offers complete information on pet allergy treatment and pet allergy testing through news , personal views and articles on pet allergies and dog allergies. Our pets are also experiencing an increase in allergy symptoms most of dogs have some sort of allergy. Through this website we help all pets lover to give our pets the quality of life they deserve.