Protein Allergy in Dogs

Protein allergies are common in dogs. The allergies may result from exposure over time to a particular protein source, especially a poor-quality protein. Protein allergies may be diagnosed with blood or skin testing or by feeding an elimination diet. Treatment involves feeding only protein sources to which the dog is not allergic and rotating these safe proteins so as to avoid creating new allergies.

  1. Symptoms

    • Food allergy symptoms include itching, red and irritated skin, hair loss and hot spots felt while stroking the dog. These same symptoms are also indicative of environmental or inhalant allergies. Food allergy symptoms will consistently appear after the ingestion of particular foods. They should not be seasonal. Pollen and other inhalant allergies generally worsen seasonally.

    Common Allergens

    • Dogs are most often allergic to proteins that are present in numerous dog foods and treats. Exposure over time to large quantities of poor-quality protein can cause a food allergy. Common protein allergens include chicken, beef, corn gluten, wheat gluten, rice gluten and soy protein.

    Prevention

    • Protein allergies can be prevented by feeding a high-quality diet and rotating the primary protein source each time you buy dog food. Feeding a whole-prey model raw diet with a wide variety of meats can also prevent protein allergies. Look for dog foods that use human quality meats and avoid byproducts other than specific organs such as liver or kidney.

    Diagnosis

    • Protein allergies can be diagnosed with blood testing, skin tests or an elimination diet. Of these options, an elimination diet is the least expensive and the least invasive. Simply find a food that contains only a protein source the dog has never been exposed to. Some unusual proteins include kangaroo, elk and emu. After a diet that doesn't cause allergy symptoms has been identified, one protein at a time from the dog's previous diet can be added back in. When a reaction is observed, you've found something the dog is allergic to.

    Management

    • Protein allergies are managed by eliminating allergens that cause a reaction from the dog's diet. Once protein sources that are "safe" have been identified, the safe proteins should be rotated to help avoid creating new protein allergies through repeat exposure.