Protein Allergies

Allergies are hypersensitivity reactions by the body to foreign substances or organisms. Anything that provokes an allergic reaction is called an allergen. Allergens can come from just about anything ranging from plants to carpets to insects to feeding dishes. In order to treat an allergy, the allergen must be identified. This can be a complex process requiring time and patience. The most common allergies affecting dogs include flea bites, inhalants such as plant pollens, dust, and molds, or contact with soaps, insecticides, wool nylon carpets, poison ivy, and wood preservatives.

Some pets develop allergies to food, although this is rare. A food allergy results from an abnormal reaction to an ingredient found in the animal's diet (from pet foods, snacks and treats, or table scraps). Food allergies usually appear as skin problems or as gastrointestinal upsets. A variety of diseases have similar signs, therefore, other causes should be excluded before the diet is blamed.

No food source is non-allergic. The only foods that can be considered "hypoallergenic" are those which the animal has never eaten before, because allergies usually occur in animals exposed to an offending ingredient in some previous diet. Owners that suspect their pet may be suffering from a food allergy should take their animal to a veterinarian. Identifying the cause of an allergy requires a detailed medical and diet history, a complete physical examination, and eliminating any other potential causes before trying a new diet.

If a dietary ingredient is suspected to be causing a food allergy, dietary restriction is the only way to isolate that ingredient and determine if it's causing a problem. Restricted diets should be fed for at least 2 to 3 months, and once an animal is placed on a special diet, it is important that no rawhide chews, snacks, treats, table scraps, or other pet foods be offered. If the ingredient to which the animal is allergic can be identified, a more appropriate diet can be recommended.