If your dog suffers from allergies, you know how difficult it can be to find the right food. There are so many options on the market, that it can be hard to know which one is best for your dog. In this blog post, we will discuss the best foods for dogs with allergies. We'll also provide tips on how to pick the right food for your furry friend. So, if you're looking for a way to help your dog feel better, keep reading!
The role of diet when it comes to your dog's allergies
There are two types of adverse food reactions in dogs: Food intolerance and food allergy. Food intolerance in dogs is when there is an abnormal reaction to a certain food or additive that is not caused by the immune system. Food allergy in dogs occurs when the body has an adverse reaction to a protein in a particular food, and this is mediated by the immune system.
The following factors may contribute to the development of a food reaction in dogs: Previous diet, genetics, concurrent health issues, and immune system status. If a food antigen is able to stimulate the cells associated with allergies, it has the potential to cause an allergic reaction. Food allergy in dogs typically involves various types of hypersensitivity reactions.
The most common food allergens for dogs
There are a few common allergens that tend to affect dogs. The most common food allergens for dogs are beef, dairy, chicken, and wheat. Specifically, in a study that was performed to identify potential allergens for dogs, beef was the leading protein allergen with 34% of all dogs with food reactions having a known sensitivity to beef. Dairy was 17%, chicken was 15% and wheat was 13%.
While there are many different types of foods on the market that cater to dogs with allergies, limited ingredient foods, and hydrolyzed protein foods are two of the best options.
The two best types of foods for dogs with allergies
The best foods for dogs with allergies are limited ingredient diets and hydrolyzed protein foods. Limited ingredient dog foods typically only contain one protein source and one carbohydrate source. Hydrolyzed-based dog foods contain a protein such as soy or chicken and are hydrolyzed.
1. Limited ingredient foods
Limited ingredient dog foods or novel protein foods are some of the best foods for dogs with allergies and typically only contain one protein source and one carbohydrate source. This helps to minimize the risk of an allergic reaction and allows owners to more easily identify the culprit if their dog does have a reaction. Common protein sources for limited ingredient diets include duck, venison, and fish. There is a low chance that a dog would react to these particular proteins and therefore are commonly used in limited ingredient dog foods. Limited ingredient dog foods can be an effective way to treat food allergies in dogs, and they can be more affordable than other specialty diets.
2. Hydrolyzed-based foods
Hydrolyzed dog foods are a type of food that is specifically designed for dogs with allergies. They typically will contain hydrolyzed chicken or soy. These foods are made by breaking down proteins into smaller molecules, which makes them easier for the body to digest and helps to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. Hydrolyzed dog foods are often considered to be the best option for dogs with allergies, as they are less likely to cause an adverse reaction. This theoretically makes it more digestible and less allergenic, but some dogs with food allergies still react to the hydrolyzed version of their allergens.
How are these diets used to diagnose food reactions and allergies in dogs?
An elimination food trial is a gold standard when diagnosing food reactions and allergies in dogs. This involves feeding your dog food that they have never eaten before for at least 8-12 weeks. This includes ingredients found in treats and other food products. The most common foods used in elimination food trials are novel proteins, such as venison or duck, and hydrolyzed proteins. During this time, it is important to avoid all other foods, treats, chews, and flavored medications, as they can potentially contain the allergen and contaminate the trial.
If your dog improves on the elimination diet, it is likely that they are allergic to one or more of the ingredients in its previous food. To complete the trial, you would reintroduce one ingredient at a time. A subsequent reaction can occur within minutes or up to 14 days following exposure, therefore, it is recommended to introduce one new ingredient every 2 weeks. Once you have identified that your dog has a food allergy, you can continue feeding them a limited ingredient or hydrolyzed diet for the rest of their life.
Not all hypoallergenic foods are created equal
First off, selling and marketing prescription diets are not in the interest of your veterinarian. With that, your veterinarian will recommend only feeding veterinary prescribed foods to dogs with allergies because the quality standards can be trusted. The diets that are sold over-the-counter are not recommended for dogs who have food allergies because there might be unlabeled ingredients or contaminants in the food that could cause an allergic reaction. For example, a store-bought duck and pea diet can have traces of beef protein, which could potentially cause an allergic reaction in a dog that is allergic to beef.
Additionally, foods that are sold over-the-counter are not required to go through the same level of testing as veterinary diets. This means that they might not be as effective in treating food allergies. Veterinary prescribed foods have been tested and proven to be effective in the management of food allergies.
Surprisingly, in a recent study, the presence of ingredients not declared on the label was detected in 10 out of 11 over-the-counter commercial limited-antigens diets designed for diagnosing canine food reactions and allergies.
The best foods for dogs with allergies are limited ingredient (novel protein) or hydrolyzed foods. However, not all hypoallergenic foods are created equal and it is important to only feed your dog foods that have been vet-prescribed. Over-the-counter diets might not be as effective in treating food allergies and could potentially contain allergens that are not listed on the label.
If you think your dog has a food allergy, talk to your veterinarian about the best course of action for diagnosis and treatment. For more information, you can also check out this guide on dog food for allergies.