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Food Allergies in Dogs: What are Hypoallergenic Dog Treats?

Food Allergies in Dogs: What are Hypoallergenic Dog Treats?

by Georgia Hansen in Blog

While it’s easy to assume that dog’s can eat any protein (given it’s dog-safe), many dogs have food allergies and sensitivities. For example, around 15% of dogs with allergies are allergic to chicken, with even more allergic to beef. If your dog suffers from allergies, selecting hypoallergenic treats and chews to suit their needs is key to their wellbeing. This article covers common food allergies in dogs, what to consider when selecting treats and chews for a dog with allergies, and safe ways to introduce new proteins into their diet.

 

Common allergens in dog treats and chews

The most common allergens that cause reactions in dogs include proteins like beef and chicken, with a small percentage impacted by pork. They can also be sensitive or allergic to other ingredients, such as dairy, wheat, and soy. Food allergies occur due to immune hypersensitivity in reaction to exposure to certain food products. Sensitivities are less severe and cause milder symptoms and may be due to a lack of some key digestive enzymes that make it hard to digest specific ingredients.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction to food in dogs include gastrointestinal upset (vomiting and diarrhoea, as well as increased bowel movement frequency), sneezing, itchiness, redness in the eyes, respiratory issues, hair loss, gas, ear infections, and breaking out in hives. In the case of food sensitivity, symptoms may include flatulence, diarrhoea or loose stool, a tender abdomen, vomiting (which may be intermittent), and regurgitation. If you see any of these symptoms in your dog, your vet can help advise you on the best course of action in terms of treatment and preventing further reactions.

 

Hypoallergenic options

Once you find out what your dog is allergic or sensitive to, you can start making more informed decisions about their diet. This includes what they’re fed at mealtime as well as any complimentary treats and chews you offer them. Make sure to carefully read all labels and product descriptions to ensure the items you choose for your pooch don’t contain any of their known allergens. Many options on the market that seem safe actually have hidden additives that aren’t obvious at first glance, like added chicken fat in a duck-based product, for example. If your dog is allergic or sensitive to chicken, this could cause a reaction. This is why selecting natural, single (or minimal) ingredient treats and chews is always best, especially for dogs with food allergies and sensitivities.

Thankfully, although common proteins like chicken and beef are the main culprits for food allergies in dogs, hypoallergenic alternatives exist. Here is a list of 10 proteins that can serve as safe alternatives for most dogs with allergies, with specific product examples:

While it is not impossible for a dog to develop an allergy or sensitivity to these proteins, it is extremely rare. If your dog does happen to be one of the few who are sensitive or allergic to any of the proteins on this list, stick to the other safe options that don’t elicit any type of negative reaction. For example, we have customers whose dogs have rare allergies to novel proteins like rabbit, turkey, and fish, usually in addition to chicken and/or beef allergies. To keep their dogs safe, they steer clear of these options by choosing other hypoallergenic proteins and making any necessary swap requests for their variety boxes.

 

 

Safely testing new proteins

When offering your dog a treat or chew with a new protein they aren’t used to, make sure to do so gradually. Start by offering them a small amount and monitor them closely for any signs of an adverse reaction. If they don’t have an allergic reaction or show signs of sensitivity to the protein, you can gradually increase the amount you give them over a number of days. This helps ensure that the new treat or chew is well tolerated.

Additionally, it’s typically advisable to consult your vet before offering a new type of protein if your dog has known allergies. They can give you specific advice based on your dog’s medical history and their current allergies. If they give you the all clear, still be sure to take the gradual approach and monitor them for any signs of discomfort.

 

Final thoughts

Food allergies and sensitivities in dogs are becoming more common, so it’s important to be vigilant about what makes up your dog’s diet. If you suspect they have an allergy or sensitivity, make sure to consult a vet as soon as you can. The sooner you address the issue and find its root cause, the sooner you can find alternative options that better suit your dog’s needs. We’re proud to offer many hypoallergenic treats and chews, and we are always happy to accommodate dogs with allergies and sensitivities in any way we can.

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