Food allergy and intolerance in dogs

Many dogs suffer from digestive problems, skin irritations or other chronic complaints. Did you know that the cause can often be found in the diet? Food allergies and intolerances are two common
Problems that are often confused. Here you will find out what the difference is between these two conditions, how the symptoms manifest themselves and why vegan dog food can be a good alternative for affected dogs.

Difference between allergy and intolerance

A food allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to certain ingredients in food. These are often proteins of animal origin, which the dog's immune system classifies as dangerous. In contrast to a food intolerance, where the dog cannot digest certain nutrients properly, an allergy is an immunological reaction. The dog's immune system is therefore not involved when there is a food intolerance. In most cases, your dog will only show a reaction to the ingredients after a while and the symptoms usually develop over a longer period of time. With an allergy, there can be delays of a few hours, but sometimes up to two weeks. Whether it is an allergy or an intolerance - the first signs in the dog are often not recognized, which can make it difficult to trace the cause.

Food allergies

The most common triggers for food allergies in dogs are animal proteins. These include:

1. beef
2. chicken
3. lamb
4. pork
5. dairy products
6. eggs

These proteins are contained in many conventional dog foods. Choosing a suitable food for dogs with allergies is therefore often difficult.

Symptoms of a food allergy

The symptoms of food allergies in dogs can be varied and often vary from animal to animal. The most common signs include:

• Skin problems: itching, redness, burning and red eyes, flaking, hair loss, inflammation and hot spots.
• Digestive problems: diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain and weight loss.
• Chronic ear infections: Recurring infections or inflammations in the ear area.
• Behavioral changes: restlessness, aggressiveness or lethargy, i.e. extreme tiredness

Food intolerance

The most common triggers of food intolerances differ from those of a food allergy:

• Grains containing gluten (e.g. wheat)
• Lactose (in the form of dairy products)
• Certain additives and preservatives

Symptoms of a food intolerance

In most cases, complaints that occur as a result of an intolerance manifest themselves through typical symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract. These include diarrhea, flatulence, cramps or vomiting. Particularly noticeable changes in your dog's stool can also be an indication of a food intolerance.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosing allergies and intolerances in dogs is not easy. If you notice unusual symptoms in your dog or suspect that your dog is suffering from a food allergy or intolerance, you should definitely see a vet. They can use various tests to determine which ingredients your dog is allergic to. The exclusion diet, also known as an elimination diet, is particularly useful here. It is not possible to detect allergies in dogs through blood tests alone.

How do you do an elimination diet?

With an exclusion diet, you can find out which components of the food your dog is allergic or intolerant to. The dog is fed exclusively with a single food for a period of about 8 to a maximum of 12 weeks. Choose a food that only contains sources of protein and carbohydrates that your dog has never eaten before. Potential allergens that are found in your familiar food are thus eliminated. During this time, it is important to stick strictly to the selected food and not to feed any treats or other foods that could distort the diet. If your dog's symptoms improve during the exclusion diet or even disappear completely, you can assume that you have found the cause. You can then offer your four-legged friend a new food with different ingredients step by step to find out whether and how your dog reacts to it. However, you should always carry out this process in consultation with a veterinarian.

Here you can read everything you need to know about the topic of elimination diets.

Vegan dog food as an alternative

Vegan dog food can be an excellent alternative for dogs with allergies or intolerances. Plant-based food can also be ideal for use as part of an exclusion diet for your four-legged friend. Since plant-based foods do not contain animal proteins, there is a lower risk of allergic reactions. Animal allergens can be avoided, so plant-based food can be a good choice, especially for dogs with allergies. Vegan foods often use plant-based proteins such as soy, which are just as nutritious for dogs as animal proteins.