You know your dog better than anyone. That's why when you notice the constant scratching, the paw licking that never seems to stop, or those red patches around their ears, your instincts kick in.
Something's not right.
Your dog gives you their best every day, and they deserve to feel their best too–not dealing with constant discomfort. So, you start to wonder…
Could this be diet-related?
Food allergies and sensitivities in dogs are more common than many pet parents realize, and they can significantly impact your dog's comfort and happiness. The good news? Food sensitivities and allergies don't have to limit your dog's potential.
Recognizing the signs of food allergies and sensitivities, and knowing how to navigate nutrition choices, can help you make informed decisions about your dog's diet. Let's explore what you need to know about food sensitivities in dogs and working with your veterinarian to find your dog’s most optimized diet.
How Do I Know If My Dog Has Food Sensitivities?
Food allergies and sensitivities can show up in various ways, and the symptoms of allergies in dogs aren't always what you might expect. While we often think of food sensitivities causing digestive upset, they can also manifest through their skin and behavior.
Common signs that might indicate food allergies or sensitivities include:
- Persistent scratching, especially around the face, ears, paws, and belly
- Red, inflamed, or irritated skin
- Excessive paw licking or chewing
- Frequent ear infections
- Hot spots or areas of irritated skin
- Digestive issues like loose stools, gas, or vomiting
- Changes in coat quality or unusual hair loss
Food sensitivities may be tricky to identify because these symptoms can develop gradually over time. Your dog might eat the same food for months or even years before developing a sensitivity.
It's also worth noting that food allergies are different from food intolerances. True allergies involve the immune system and tend to cause skin reactions, while intolerances usually result in digestive upset.
The timing of symptoms can offer important clues. If your dog's issues seem to persist year-round rather than being seasonal, or if they don't respond to typical treatments, food could be a factor worth discussing with your veterinarian.
What Are The Most Common Food Allergens for Dogs?
Just like people, dogs can develop sensitivities to specific ingredients in their diet, but the most common culprits might surprise you. They're usually proteins that dogs eat regularly, not exotic or unusual ingredients.
The most frequently reported food allergens in dogs include:
Protein Sources:
- Chicken (the most common, likely because it's so widely used in dog foods)
- Beef
- Dairy products
- Eggs
- Fish
- Lamb
Other Common Triggers:
- Wheat
- Corn
- Soy
Dogs typically don't develop sensitivities to foods they've never eaten before. Sensitivities develop after repeated exposure to a particular protein or ingredient. That’s why chicken, being the most commonly used protein in commercial dog foods, also appears frequently on lists of potential triggers.
It's also worth understanding that any protein can potentially trigger sensitivities in an individual dog. While chicken and beef are common triggers, some dogs might be sensitive to turkey, salmon, or even less common proteins.
Every dog is unique, and what works perfectly for one might not work for another. Food sensitivities are highly individual, so your neighbor's dog might thrive on a chicken-based diet while your pup might do better with something completely different.
The Power of Limited Ingredient Diets
When food sensitivities are suspected, limited ingredient diets (LIDs) are a valuable tool for pet parents working with their veterinarians toward a solution. These specially formulated foods are designed with simplicity in mind, making them some of the best dog food options for allergies. They tend to feature fewer ingredients, which means fewer potential triggers.
Think of limited ingredient diets as precision nutrition for your dog's inner athlete. Just like an athlete might eliminate foods from their diet that don’t serve their goals, a limited-ingredient diet for your dog focuses on what matters most.
Limited ingredient diets typically feature:
- A single, easily identifiable protein source
- A simplified carbohydrate base
- Minimal additional ingredients
- No artificial colors, flavors, or unnecessary additives
The benefit of LIDs lies in their transparency. When you can easily identify every ingredient in your dog's food, it becomes much easier to work with your veterinarian to pinpoint what might be contributing to issues. If your dog does well on a limited-ingredient diet, you know you're on a helpful path.
Nulo’s LID lineup is designed to fuel even the most sensitive four-legged athletes:
- FreeStyle High-Protein Kibble Limited+ Alaska Pollock Recipe
- FreeStyle High-Protein Kibble Limited+ Turkey Recipe
- FreeStyle High-Protein Kibble Limited+ Small Breed Turkey Recipe
- FreeStyle High-Protein Kibble Limited+ Lamb Recipe
- MedalSeries High-Protein Kibble Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey Recipe
- MedalSeries High-Protein Kibble Limited Ingredient Diet Salmon Recipe
- MedalSeries High-Protein Kibble Limited Ingredient Diet Chicken Recipe
Each recipe represents our unwavering commitment to nutritional excellence while offering a simplified ingredient profile that dogs with sensitivities often require. We focus on a single high animal-based protein, carefully selected carbohydrates, and our signature approach to nutrition that treats every dog like the athlete they are inside.
Exploring Novel Protein Sources for Dogs with Sensitivities
Sometimes, the solution for dogs with food sensitivities lies in introducing proteins they've never had before. Novel proteins are exactly what they sound like—protein sources that are new to your dog's diet.
Common novel proteins include:
- Duck
- Venison
- Rabbit
- Bison
- Kangaroo
- Fish varieties like pollock or salmon (if your dog hasn't had fish before)
The logic behind novel proteins is straightforward. If your dog has never eaten duck before, they're less likely to have developed a sensitivity to it. This approach is often recommended by veterinarians as part of dietary trials while still ensuring your dog receives high-quality nutrition.
When considering novel proteins, choose high-quality sources that provide complete nutrition. Just because a protein is "novel" doesn't automatically make it better. It just means it’s new to your dog’s diet.
The Role of Elimination Diets
An elimination diet is often considered an important tool for identifying food allergies in dogs. This process, typically conducted under veterinary guidance, involves feeding your dog a very simple diet containing ingredients they've never had before, then gradually reintroducing other foods to identify potential triggers.
Here's how elimination diets typically work:
- Choose a novel protein and carbohydrate that your dog has never eaten
- Feed only this combination for 8-12 weeks (this might feel like a long time, but it's necessary for accurate results)
- Monitor symptoms throughout this period
- Gradually reintroduce previous foods one at a time, watching for any changes
- Work with your veterinarian to interpret results and identify potential triggers
This process requires patience and dedication, but it can provide valuable information about which foods work best for your dog. During an elimination diet, it's crucial to avoid all treats, table scraps, and anything else that might interfere with the results.
Some veterinarians recommend working with prescription elimination diets initially, as these are formulated specifically for this purpose and ensure your dog receives complete nutrition during the trial period. Always consult with your veterinarian before starting an elimination diet to ensure your dog is receiving sufficient nutrition.
What to Look for in Allergy-Friendly Dog Food for Dogs with Allergies?
When shopping for dog food designed for dogs with sensitivities, certain characteristics can help guide your choices:
- Ingredient Transparency Look for foods with clearly labeled, specific ingredients. "Deboned Chicken" is clearer than "poultry meal," and "sweet potato" is clearer than "root vegetables."
- Single Protein Source For dogs with known sensitivities, foods featuring one primary protein source make it easier to avoid triggers and identify what works.
- Quality Carbohydrate Sources Choose foods with easily digestible carbohydrates like sweet potatoes, peas, or lentils rather than common allergens like wheat or corn.
- Minimal Processing Less processed foods often retain more of their natural nutritional value and may be easier for sensitive dogs to digest.
- No Artificial Additives Artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives can sometimes trigger sensitivities.
Working with Your Veterinarian to Identify Food Allergies
While nutritional changes can be helpful for dogs with food sensitivities, it's important to work with your veterinarian throughout this process. Food sensitivities can sometimes present similarly to other health conditions, and professional guidance ensures you're taking the right approach for your dog.
Your vet can help by:
- Ruling out other potential causes for your dog's symptoms
- Recommending appropriate elimination diet protocols
- Monitoring your dog's overall health during dietary changes
- Suggesting when additional testing might be helpful
- Providing guidance on maintaining proper nutrition during food trials
Some veterinarians may recommend allergy testing, although elimination diets conducted under veterinary supervision remain the most accurate way to identify which foods work best for individual dogs.
Finding the Right Nutrition to Fuel Your Sensitive Dog
Working with dogs who have food sensitivities can be challenging, but there's real hope for finding foods that work better for them. With patience, the right approach, and veterinary guidance, most dogs with food sensitivities can find a nutrition plan that’s right for them.
While you're working with your veterinarian to identify the right nutrition plan, you can also support your dog's overall wellness in other ways. If your dog deals with seasonal sensitivities alongside food concerns, Nulo Functional Immune Soft Chews can provide targeted support during those challenging times of year. And for dogs navigating any dietary transition, Nulo Immunity Daily Defense Functional Granola Bars offer a delicious way to support their natural defenses while treating them to something special.
The whole process takes time and patience. Food sensitivities don't develop overnight, and finding the right nutrition doesn't happen overnight either. But with thoughtful nutrition choices, veterinary guidance, and your dedicated attention to your dog's needs, you can help them find foods that work well for their individual system.
Every dog deserves to feel comfortable and happy. While the journey to identify the best nutrition for dogs with sensitivities requires patience, the reward makes every step worthwhile. With the right approach and professional guidance, you can work toward finding foods that fuel your sensitive dog's incredible life.
