What to do when your pet may have food allergies?
By Dr. Dan Su, MS, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition)
Food allergies in pets are a common and confusing issue. As a pet owner, understanding the best practices for diagnosing and managing these allergies is crucial for the well-being of your furry friend. We will explore why saliva, hair, or blood testing for food allergies in pets is scientifically inaccurate, the importance of elimination diet trials, and the role of a veterinary nutritionist in managing pet allergies.
The Inaccuracy of Saliva, Hair, or Blood Testing
Many pet owners are tempted to use saliva, hair, or blood tests to diagnose food allergies in their pets, as they seem to offer an easy solution to the problem. However, scientific research has consistently shown that these tests are not reliable for pets. The same dog’s sample tested on different occasions can lead to different results. A stuffed animal’s hair sent into the lab can yield allergy results. Other tests include “intolerances” include vitamins and minerals that are simply impossible for the animal to be intolerant or allergic to. Therefore, relying on these tests can lead to misdiagnosis and unnecessary dietary changes that may not benefit your pet. Not to mention undue stress that makes you think your pet can’t eat anything.
The Gold Standard: Elimination Diet Trials
The most accurate method for diagnosing food allergies in pets is through an elimination diet trial followed by a challenge phase. This process involves feeding your pet a diet that eliminates the suspected allergens for a specific period, then reintroducing them one at a time to see if symptoms reoccur.
Digestive Signs: For allergies manifesting as digestive issues, the elimination diet trial should last for about 4-6 weeks. This duration is necessary because the digestive system needs time to adjust and show improvement if allergens were the cause of the issues.
Dermatologic Signs: If your pet is exhibiting skin problems like itching or rashes, the elimination diet trial should be longer, typically 8-12 weeks. Skin reactions can take longer to resolve, even after removing the allergen from the diet.
Types of Elimination Diets
Hydrolyzed Diet: This involves feeding your pet a diet where proteins are broken down (hydrolyzed) into smaller components, which are less likely to trigger an allergic response.
Novel Protein Diet: This diet incorporates a protein source that your pet has never consumed before. Since the pet’s immune system is not familiar with this new protein, it’s less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
Role of a Veterinary Nutritionist
Dealing with pet food allergies can be complex and challenging. This is where a veterinary nutritionist can help! They can help guide you through the process of conducting an elimination diet trial, choose the right type of elimination diet, and to interpreting the results of the trial. Remember, every pet is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. A veterinary nutritionist can help via a guided, tailored approach, to bring relief to you and your beloved pet.
