Food Allergies and Intolerances: Is there any difference?

A variety of dogs suffer from allergies or intolerances, but large sums of pet owners are confused by the difference. The below outlines the difference between pet food allergies and intolerances.

Pet Food Allergies

A pet food allergy involves the immune system. This can be triggered by a dog’s response to a certain ingredient such as a protein source. For example, cells may release histamine which causes itching.  Generally, food allergies cause skin-related issues in dogs such as inflammation, itching, hair loss and hot spots. There is also the possibility they can develop ear infections that can become a reoccurring theme once treatment has ended.

A dog that has a food allergy will most likely always suffer from this. However, the severity of this can change over time.

A common theme for owners is to assume that itchy skin is caused by a food allergy. However, true food allergies in cats and dogs are very rare, making up for only 1% of all skin diseases in dogs.

Pet Food Intolerances

A pet food intolerance does not involve the immune system and is caused when a food doesn’t agree with a dog’s body. This is simply a functional or mechanical issue with digesting a particular food. An example of this is a dog may be sensitive to wheat. Intolerances often mimic food allergies because the body can only demonstrate a problem in so many ways.

It can be challenging to identify what causes food intolerance. Owners can use an elimination diet to take away ingredients that they believe may be the cause of the problem. This works by removing a suspect ingredient for a minimum of 4 weeks from a dogs diet and then reintroducing the ingredient and wait for a return of any physical changes.

Common ingredients that may cause intolerance’s include grains (i.e wheat and maize), eggs, soya or dairy.

What can pet owners do?

If an owner believes that their pet is suffering from a food allergy or intolerance, there is a number of things they can do.

  • Feed their pet hypoallergenic food as this helps to avoid common allergens and intolerances
  • Choose a diet with a single protein source such as meat or fish
  • Select a diet with novel ingredients
  • Follow an elimination diet

Adult Super Premium – 44% Fish & Potato with Itch Ease

Itch Ease is a unique blend of herbs that may help alleviate “allergic signs such as itching, hair loss and mucky ears”

£46.99 £49.99 available in Zero-rated VAT bags 

Category:

SAFE FAST FREE delivery within two working days on all dog food orders within the UK

As used by The Dog Man this Vet approved hypoallergenic formula that supports healthy digestion and combats itching, hair loss and ear problems too – great complete food for breeds.

Click here to learn more

What the customers say

Really pleased

‘I’ve had problems with Bean my pet labradors ears for at least 2 years, she kept getting ear infections and the ear canal was inflamed. I’ve been feeding Bean on The Dog Man’s Choice with itch ease for 2 months now. I took her to the vet a couple of weeks ago and amazingly, no ear infection and no inflammation, I am really pleased’

Diane Cartwright

Stopped scratching

Thanks so much for your expert advice.  Since we have been feeding our GSD (Tara) with the Fish & Potato with itch ease dog food recommended by Craig The Dog Man she has stopped scratching completely. Previous to this we had tried everything, visiting our vet regularly with little improvement.

Roger Pearshouse

Order today and get free delivery to your door 

 

 

 

Recent Posts
0
Do dogs have a strong sense of taste?Why is Cookie given Grass-Fed Lamb?