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Written by: Sarah Seward-Langdon
Published on: 02/21/2022
With the spring season just over the horizon, many of us are getting ready to have puffy eyes, use lots of tissues, and visit the drugstore often—it’s allergy season! Other people carry around epipens to combat serious food allergies that could impact them no matter the season.
Unfortunately, our dogs aren’t immune to many different types of allergies either. In fact, food allergies in dogs are a growing concern among pet owners, with an estimated 10% of dogs suffering from this condition [1].
Taking the time to understand the different types of food allergies and the symptoms they can cause is crucial for properly diagnosing and treating this condition. This article will help you add to your knowledge of dog food allergies; however, we always advise that visiting the vet is crucial if your pet is experiencing any symptoms!
Before we dive into different types of food allergies that can plague your dog, we’ll also briefly talk about symptoms, allergies vs. intolerances, and the different types of allergies.
Jumping right in, let’s discuss common symptoms. The symptoms of food allergies in dogs can vary depending on the type of allergy and the individual dog.
That being said, some common symptoms [2] include:
As we mentioned before, if your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian to determine the cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Did you know that there is a difference between an allergy and intolerance? If not, you’re not alone! Many pet parents go to the vet thinking their dog has allergies, when it’s really a food intolerance. So what’s the difference?
A true food allergy is when a food triggers an adverse immune response. Your dog’s body mistakenly sees a specific food ingredient as harmful and creates defensive antibodies to fight it off—which leads to the problematic symptoms that impact your dog [4].
In contrast, a food intolerance is not an immune response and instead happens when your dog’s body can’t process a certain food well. It is important to point out that symptoms for food intolerances are very similar to those of allergies, so it makes sense that so many people get confused [5].
Both true food allergies and food intolerances fall under what professionals call “cutaneous adverse food reaction” or CAFRs [5].
In addition to food allergies, dogs can also develop allergic reactions to environmental allergens and fleas.
Environmental allergies, also known as atopic dermatitis, are a common condition in dogs—arguably more common than food allergies. Environmental allergies are caused by exposure to allergens in the environment, such as pollen, mold, and dust mites. These allergens can cause an overreaction of the immune system, leading to symptoms such as itching, redness, and skin irritation.
Symptoms of environmental allergies can occur seasonally or year-round, depending on the allergen. The symptoms may also be more severe in certain areas of the body, most often the paws, ears, and face, which are similar symptom areas to dogs suffering from food-related allergies [3].
It’s probably common knowledge that dogs with fleas are often more itchy. However, what many people don’t know is that some dogs can actually be allergic to flea saliva. This means dogs with this extra complication will suffer even more itchiness from fleas, especially around the base of their tail [3].
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✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
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✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
One of the most common types of food allergies in dogs is an allergy to meat proteins. This can include proteins from animals such as beef, chicken, and fish. However, the most common allergens for dogs are definitely beef and chicken.
Beef and chicken are two of the most common protein ingredients in commercial pet foods. And since food allergies can be developed over time due to exposure, it’s no surprise that many dogs can’t stomach beef or chicken [5].
Another common type of food allergy in dogs is an allergy to grains such as wheat, corn, and soy. It is much more common for dogs to have allergic reactions to meat; however, it’s still possible for them to be allergic to wheat or soy.
In relation to soy in particular, some studies show there may be adverse impacts, such as reproductive and growth problems and liver disease. Check in with a pet nutritionist or your vet if you’re worried about grains [4]
Dogs can also develop allergies to dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. However, just like humans, dogs can be lactose intolerant. In this case, symptoms of allergies or intolerances are very similar, but dairy allergies are more serious. In either case, it’s a good idea to eliminate dairy products from your dog’s diet [6]
Egg allergies are less common in dogs but can still occur. If your dog has an allergic reaction to eggs, it’s most likely their immune system combating the protein in the egg yolk. If you feed your dog a homemade diet, then eggs are easy to avoid; however, eggs are found in many products on the pet store shelves so be aware [4]!
If you need to take eggs out of your dog’s diet, consider an alternative. Eggs are a great source of essential fatty acids, iron, and much more [6]. If you’re looking for a way to incorporate more essential fatty acids into your dog’s diet, you can use supplements like Smart Earth Camelina Oil.
Although food allergies in dogs are a growing concern, they are something that can be easily manageable with the right information and tools!
Understanding the different types of food allergies and the symptoms they can cause is crucial for properly diagnosing and treating this condition. If your dog is experiencing symptoms such as itching, redness, and skin irritation, or gastrointestinal upset, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian to determine the cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
References
[1] The Difference Between Food Allergies and Environmental Allergies in Dogs | Small Door Veterinarian https://www.smalldoorvet.com/learning-center/wellness/food-seasonal-allergies-dogs
[2] Food Allergies in Pets: Signs, Common Triggers, Diagnosis & Treatment | Vet Derm Clinic https://www.vetdermclinic.com/food-allergies-in-pets-signs-common-triggers-diagnosis-treatment/
[3] Dog Allergies: Symptoms & Treatment | American Kennel Club https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-allergies-symptoms-treatment/
[4] The Top 7 Most Common Food Allergens for Dogs | Rover https://www.rover.com/blog/7-common-food-allergens-dogs/
[5] Dog Food Allergies Causes and Curse | Nom Nom Now https://www.nomnomnow.com/learn/article/dog-food-allergies
[6] Common Food Allergies in Dogs (and how to spot them) | Janine DeVault at Natural Farm Pet https://www.naturalfarmpet.com/blogs/all/common-food-allergies-in-dogs-and-how-to-spot-them
Sarah is a marketing specialist with a passion for anything creative! Her openness to working across industries and job opportunities has allowed her to gain enormous amounts of experience in graphic design, video production, and written content creation. Animals have a special place in her heart as she grew up with cats and now owns her own Alaskan Malamute. She has spent the last couple of years in Vancouver working with different companies within the pet industry and gained valuable knowledge about the ins and outs of the (alternative) pet food industry, supplementation, and various training methods. When she’s not digitally creating content for pet lovers to consume, she’s out eating great food, dancing at drop-in classes, or exploring the beautiful Canadian scenery with her fur-child Miso.
