Common Pet Food Allergies
Earthwise Pets’ ultimate mission as your certified pet nutritionist is to help your pets have a long and healthy life. Unfortunately, many pets are dealing with food allergies that can be difficult to detect. In this blog, we’ll dive into the common food allergies in dogs and cats, so you can make sure your furry friend is getting the best nutrition possible!
Food Allergies in your Pets are on the Rise.
Food allergies are an increasingly common medical condition in household pets, including both cats and dogs. Such reactions can range from mild to very severe and cause a variety of signs and symptoms, which is why it’s important to be aware of the most common food allergens. This guide covers the five most common food allergens found in cats and dogs, so read on to learn more!
Generally speaking, cats and dogs can be allergic to any type of food; however, there are some foods that tend to trigger reactions more frequently. It’s believed that these allergies are due in part to genetics; therefore, certain breeds or gender may have a higher susceptibility. Allergies occur when a dog or cat’s immune system misidentifies either proteins or carbohydrates present in food ingredients as potential hazards. Once the immune system identifies such a hazard, an allergic response can occur – resulting in inflammation and other uncomfortable symptoms.
Common Food Allergies in Dogs
Dogs and cats may develop allergies to a variety of foods including beef, corn, wheat, soy and chicken. While any ingredient within the food can be a potential allergen, some animals may develop allergies to specific proteins or carbohydrates found within the ingredient. Signs of a food allergy can range from gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and bloating to skin allergic reactions such as hair loss, redness and itchiness.
It is important to introduce only one new protein at a time when introducing a new diet so that any existing allergies can be detected easily. Common food allergies in dogs include:
- Beef
- Chicken
- Pork
- Fish
- Wheat
- Eggs
- Soy
It is not uncommon for dogs to also experience an allergy reaction due to the preservatives or additives added during the manufacturing process of pet foods and treats. If your pet experiences an allergic reaction after consuming a product it is important seek veterinary care as soon as possible so that further reactions can be prevented with appropriate allergen avoidance or treatment methods.
Common Food Allergies in Cats
Food allergies in cats can range from common, mild reactions to more severe, life-threatening reactions. Common food allergies causing symptoms in cats include protein sources such as beef, fish, and dairy, as well as grains such as corn and wheat.
Cat food allergy symptoms can come in many forms, including:
- Skin conditions like signs of itching or inflammation of the ears, eyes or feet;
- Digestive issues like vomiting or diarrhea; and
- Respiratory issues like difficulty breathing or coughing.
Whether the allergy is due to a particular type of food ingredient or a certain combination of ingredients is often not immediately known. Your veterinarian can recommend a process to diagnose your pet’s sensitivity to specific ingredients and to discover which one might be causing these allergic reaction symptoms. To do this, you may need to feed your cat an elimination diet that begins with a single novel protein source (e.g., duck) that contains limited ingredients that are not likely seen in most pet foods. If your pet responds favorably during this trial period then additional single-ingredient trials may be recommended by your veterinarian before making any direct dietary changes.
Symptoms of Food Allergies in Dogs and Cats
The most common signs and symptoms of a food allergy are digestive upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), itching and skin issues (lesions, hives, hair loss).
In dogs, food allergies generally occur when their immune systems overreact to a protein in the diet. They are less likely to be allergic to carbohydrates or fats than other species but can have discomfort after eating those dietary components. Common allergens include corn, wheat (gluten), beef, dairy products and soy. Less common culprits include lamb and fish products as well as other additives such as artificial colors or flavors. Symptoms typically develop within minutes-to-hours after ingestion and may worsen over time if the animal continues to consume the allergen(s).
In cats, grains tend to be more common allergens than meats. Symptoms in cats can include:
- Weight loss due to poor appetite;
- Ocular irritation;
- Skin irritation such as redness around eyes, nose & paws;
- Itchy ears & rear ends;
- Vomiting & diarrhea;
- Increased water consumption & frequent urination;
- Scratching around ears & near base of tail;
- Sneezing & choking when eating dry foods containing multiple proteins;
- Digestive issues such as gas/bloating/diarrhea/constipation/inappetence not caused by worms or parasites;
- Fur loss associated with licked areas specifically between front legs on upper body or under tail area where admiring cat parents notice sudden bald spots appearing during uncomfortable episodes.
Diagnosing Food Allergies in Dogs and Cats
In order to diagnose a pet's allergy for the accurate treatment plan, it's important to start off with a complete evaluation by your veterinarian.
A comprehensive diagnosis should include:
- A complete physical examination
- A review of your pet's medical history
- Allergy testing
- Food trials
- Diagnostic tests such as blood tests and/or skin biopsies
During the physical examination your veterinarian will carefully examine your pet's skin for signs of infection or inflammation. It is important for you to share with them any changes you may have noticed in your pet and how frequent those changes occur. This information is essential in order to rule out other underlying medical conditions that cause similar clinical signs.
Once the physical exam has been completed and other underlying conditions have been ruled out, your veterinarian may recommend either blood or intradermal skin testing – depending on which is more convenient for you – in order to accurately diagnose a food allergy. The results of these tests will help determine which foods should be avoided in the future.
Treatment of Food Allergies in Dogs and Cats
Your veterinarian usually recommends dietary modification as the first line of treatment for food allergies in both dogs and cats. This will involve changing to a hypoallergenic diet that is free from potential allergens such as beef, chicken, wheat, and corn. Your pet's diet should be based on hydrolyzed proteins or novel proteins – single protein sources (duck, turkey) that your pet has not been exposed to before. Initially, these diets need to be kept strictly for several months until it can be determined whether this change helps improve your pet's food allergy symptoms.
Something to consider is raw feeding. We carry a number of food brands for a raw feeding approach including OCRAW & NWN. Feel free to ask our specialists about raw feeding and any other dietary questions you might have.
Medications are also an important part of treating food allergies in both dogs and cats. Antihistamines help reduce the allergic response associated with an allergic reaction while steroids dampen inflammation and provide relief from systemic reactions common with allergies in pets such as skin irritation or gastrointestinal upset like vomiting or diarrhea. These drugs are best used in combination with dietary modifications for optimal results.
For more severe cases of food allergies in pets, ASIT may be recommended by your veterinarian if other therapies have failed to produce effective results or benefit only temporary relief. This gradually exposes your pet’s immune system to small amounts of allergens in order to build up a tolerance; this procedure must normally take place over a 6-18 month period under veterinary supervision. Finally, desensitization vaccines administer small doses of allergens given through injections into a specific area which can improve tolerance long-term but is not suitable in all cases and needs careful monitoring by a veterinarian specializing in allergies.
In summary, there are several different treatments available for food allergies in pets but it takes patience, and regular monitoring by a veterinarian specializing in allergies, often over many months before it becomes apparent which therapy will provide the best improvement for your particular pet's condition.
Prevention of Food Allergies in Dogs and Cats
The best way to prevent food allergies in dogs and cats is to feed them a balanced, natural diet with limited or no grains, preservatives, or artificial flavors. Look for foods that are grain-free and provide essential fatty acids from animal sources such as wild-caught fish or pasture-raised poultry.
Feeding your pet a variety of proteins such as bison, venison, duck, lamb, fish and other meats that they have not previously ingested may also reduce the risk of developing an allergy.
Another preventive measure is avoiding food additives commonly found in commercial pet food. These can affect the immune system and lead to sensitivities over time. Be sure to read labels carefully when purchasing pet food – artificial colors, flavors, preservatives and emulsifiers (MSG) may be present in most brands but are not necessary for their good nutrition nor desirable for their overall health. We can also recommend some additional organic supplements such as EsterC Powder from Wholistic Pet or other vendors such as Herbsmith or Glacier Peak Hollisitic.
Some veterinarians suggest rotating proteins in your pet’s diet on a monthly basis in order to avoid a habituation period where they become particularly sensitive to just one protein source or ingredient. Supplements may be added to ensure your pet is receiving all essential nutrients including zinc which reduces inflammation associated with allergies and gives the immune systems an extra boost.