Has your dog recently been experiencing severe itching, constantly scratching, licking its paws, and even developing bald spots and hair loss? If so, your dog may have a food allergy or intolerance, especially if you’ve recently switched to a different type of food. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the causes of food allergies and intolerances, the symptoms that may occur, and how you can treat them. Of course, these symptoms can also occur with other medical conditions. Therefore, it’s always advisable to consult your veterinarian first to determine the cause. More information on itching in dogsthat is not related to a food allergy or intolerance can be found in our other blog!

 Symptoms of food allergies and intolerances in dogs.

The most common symptom of a food allergy in dogs is itching. While the location of the itching can vary from dog to dog, it most commonly occurs on the head, ears, neck, armpits, belly, groin, and between the toes and pads. Itching is, of course, very uncomfortable, and you’ll often see your dog scratching, with all the resulting consequences. Your dog’s skin is very irritated, and bald patches may even develop. In addition to itching, your dog may also suffer from diarrhea or vomiting if they have a food allergy.

What causes the itching?

To explain why a food allergy causes itching, it’s important to first understand how your dog’s gut and skin work. Diet plays a major role in maintaining healthy gut flora, healthy skin, and a shiny coat.

Skin and Fur

The skin consists of various protective layers made up of skin cells, immune cells, and the microbiome. Since the skin covers a large portion of the body’s surface, it is constantly exposed to potential allergens, toxins, and pathogens. The skin is a major metabolic organ and requires daily intake of proteins and other nutrients to maintain its barrier function. The hair in your dog’s coat consists of 95% protein. Dogs and cats need about 25–30% of their protein from their diet for normal hair growth and a healthy coat. In addition to proteins, fatty acids such as linoleic acid are an important nutrient. Dogs and cats cannot produce these on their own. Linoleic acid is a component of the fats in the skin that are involved in the formation of the outer skin layer and help maintain the skin barrier. Vitamins A, B, and E also play a role in maintaining your dog’s skin health.

The Intestine

Your dog’s food is digested in the intestines, which means that the food is broken down into small, absorbable molecules and transported through the intestinal wall to all parts of the body where it is needed, including the skin. The root cause of a food allergy or intolerance begins in the intestines. Certain proteins in your dog’s food trigger an allergic reaction or are difficult to digest. This leads to an imbalance in the gut, which can ultimately result in various symptoms, including irritated and itchy skin. Exactly how this itching and irritated skin are caused depends on whether your dog has a food allergy or intolerance. This is explained in more detail below!

The difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance:

The terms "food allergy" and "food intolerance" are often used interchangeably. However, there is a clear difference between a dog with a food allergy and a dog with a food intolerance. The difference lies in what happens in your dog’s intestines after consuming foods to which he or she is sensitive. In the case of a food allergy, an allergic reaction occurs to a specific protein in the food. The immune system is involved in this process, viewing the “innocent” protein as an intruder and essentially attacking it. This immune system reaction releases chemical substances, including histamine. Histamine causes blood vessels to dilate, which makes the skin red. It also increases the permeability of the blood vessels, which can lead to fluid accumulation or edema in the skin and cause itching. Often, even a small amount of the protein is enough to trigger an allergic reaction. In the case of a food intolerance, there is a deficiency of certain enzymes in the gut needed to break down these proteins. As a result, the food cannot be fully digested and absorbed. This leads to a nutrient deficiency in your dog and an imbalance in the gut microbiome. Since the necessary nutrients reach the skin only to a limited extent, the skin’s microbiome is also disrupted. This can lead to irritation and itching on your dog’s skin. Unlike a food allergy, where even a small amount can cause symptoms, with a food intolerance, small amounts of the protein do not necessarily cause immediate symptoms.

Doderm Hydro Repair Gel

If you suspect your dog has a food allergy or intolerance, it’s best to contact your veterinarian to determine which protein in your dog’s diet is triggering the reaction. To help soothe your dog’s itchy and irritated skin, you can apply our Doderm Hydro RepairGel twice a day. This gel was specially developed for canine skin and supports the skin when the skin barrier is compromised. What makes our skin gel unique is that it contains filtered antibodies from cow colostrum, which naturally help alleviate skin irritation. Hydro RepairGel is 100% natural and contains no antibiotics or corticosteroids. Would you like to learn more about how Doderm Hydro RepairGel can relieve your dog’s itching? Read our page on how Doderm Hydro RepairGelworks exactly. If you have any further questions , we’re happy to help. We’d love to advise you!