Like humans, your beloved pet can suffer from a number of different allergies, including those relating to their diet. Food allergies constitute an overreaction of your pet’s immune system to a particular food ingredient they have been exposed to.

Though often overlooked, these allergies can cause significant discomfort and recurring health issues. In allergy-prone pets, processed proteins, flavourings, and colouring are mistakenly identified as harmful, triggering inflammation that primarily affects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, respiratory system, skin, and fur.

While many pet owners assume that food allergies develop suddenly after a change in their pet’s diet, allergies actually emerge slowly, usually after months of eating the same food.

Since antibody production is required for an allergy to develop, these reactions typically occur after prolonged exposure to a particular brand, type of food, or ingredient.

If your pet is experiencing recurring skin infections or other unexplained symptoms, book an appointment with our vet dermatologists in Vancouver. Testing for food allergies is essential to restore your furry companion’s well-being and set them on a path to long-term health and happiness.

What could my pet be allergic to?

Food allergies can arise at any age, even if your pet has been eating the same food for a long period of time without experiencing any issues. The most common culprits of food allergies in cats and dogs are basic ingredients found in everyday pet foods. Dogs may be allergic to:

• Beef
• Chicken
• Corn
• Dairy
• Duck
• Eggs
• Fish
• Lamb
• Pork
• Rice
• Soy
• Turkey
• Wheat

In cats, common allergens include:

• Beef
• Chicken
• Corn
• Dairy
• Eggs
• Fish
• Lamb
• Wheat

Symptoms of Food Allergies in Pets

The most common symptom of a food allergy in pets is constant itching of the skin, ears, bum, or face that does not change seasonally. Other symptoms may also include:

• Excessive licking, biting, or rubbing of the skin
• Redness of skin and ears
• Oily skin and fur
• Dryness of skin
• Eczema
• Hair loss
• Recurring ear infection and inflammation
• Watery eyes or other eye discharge
• Redness of eyes
• Swelling of eyes, mouth, or face
• Increased dandruff
• Sneezing
• Repeated skin infection
• Gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea and/or vomiting

How are food allergies diagnosed in pets?

The gold standard for diagnosing food allergies in pets is a strict elimination diet trial, as blood, saliva, and skin tests are unreliable for detecting food allergies in animals. Our vet dermatologists in Vancouver recommend removing all current foods and feeding a limited diet while carefully monitoring for changes in symptoms.

The process consists of three key steps: elimination, observation and monitoring, and reintroduction, allowing for accurate identification of the allergen causing your pet’s discomfort.

Step 1: The Elimination Diet

An elimination diet involves feeding your pet a restricted diet for 8 to 12 weeks. This diet typically consists of either hydrolyzed proteins, which are proteins broken down into very small particles that the immune system cannot recognize as allergens, or novel proteins, which are ingredients your pet has never eaten before, such as kangaroo or venison.

The goal is to determine whether your pet’s symptoms improve by removing potential allergens from their diet.

During this period, strict adherence to the prescribed diet is required. Even the tiniest exposure to the allergen, whether through treats, supplements, or flavoured medications, can cause symptoms to reappear and compromise the trial.

Step 2: Observation and Monitoring

Your vet dermatologist in Vancouver will monitor your pet’s symptoms throughout the elimination diet. If the symptoms begin to improve, this would suggest that your pet has a food allergy.

However, if symptoms do not clear up, this may suggest that your pet is suffering from environmental allergies or other conditions mimicking food allergy symptoms.

Step 3: Reintroduction (Provocative Dietary Challenge)

After the 8 to 12-week elimination phase is complete and if your pet’s symptoms improve, the original diet can be gradually reintroduced to check if the symptoms return. If they do, the hypoallergenic food should be fed again.

Afterwards, individual ingredients can be introduced one at a time, approximately every two weeks, to observe any reactions. If no symptoms develop, your pet is not allergic to that ingredient.

However, if symptoms reappear within 14 days, your pet is allergic to that ingredient, and it should be avoided moving forward. This highly controlled, trial-and-error process helps identify specific ingredients your pet may or may not be allergic to.

How are food allergies treated?

Once your veterinary dermatologist has confirmed food allergies, the next step is to provide a diet without the offending ingredients.

Your vet dermatologist in Vancouver will collaborate with you to ensure the diet meets your pet’s individual needs. In some cases, they may recommend gradually reintroducing certain ingredients under close observation to see if small quantities of the food are tolerable.

The Importance of Early Diagnosis

Untreated food allergies in pets can lead to chronic inflammation, which affects various parts of the body, including the skin, gastrointestinal tract, fur, respiratory system, and ears. For example, a food allergy can cause recurring ear infections.

Over time, these infections can worsen, leading to thickening of the ear canal, fluid buildup, and increased pressure inside the ear. If this pressure continues, it can cause the eardrum to rupture, resulting in more severe issues like chronic pain, ear discharge, and even hearing loss.

The Role of Veterinary Dermatologists

Unlike human dermatologists, veterinary dermatologists focus primarily on diagnosing and treating allergies and infections. They obtain highly specialized training to differentiate between food and environmental allergies, and can guide pet owners through the elimination diet process.

An accurate diagnosis of a food allergy is crucial in preventing the cycle of chronic infections, reducing the need for frequent trips to the vet, and allowing your pet to enjoy a more comfortable life.

In some cases, pets are given medications that only temporarily relieve symptoms, such as ear infections or recurring rashes, without addressing the underlying cause. While these medications may provide short-term comfort, they don’t adequately address the underlying issue.

If a food allergy is responsible for these conditions, ongoing treatment without diagnosis means your pet may continue consuming the allergenic food, leading to ongoing discomfort and health problems.

Let Our Vet Dermatologists in Vancouver Take Care of Your Pet

In conclusion, food allergy testing is highly recommended if your pet is experiencing recurring health issues, such as chronic itching, skin or ear infections, or gastrointestinal problems.

Our vet dermatologists in Vancouver specialize in diagnosing food allergies and other skin conditions, ensuring your pet receives the right treatment from the beginning. We provide services for dogs and cats, from allergy skin testing and apoquel treatment, to paw and nail disorders and seborrheic and breed disorders.

Please reach out to Animal Dermatology Specialists of Vancouver at 778-743-9926 or request an appointment by completing our online form.