Food Allergies and Food Intolerances in Dogs
Has your dog recently been experiencing a lot of itching, is he constantly scratching, licking his paws, and does he even have bald spots and hair loss? If so, your dog may have a food allergy or food intolerance. Especially if you’ve just switched to a different type of food. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the causes of food allergies and food intolerances, what the symptoms are, and how you can address them. Of course, these symptoms can also occur with other medical conditions, so it’s always best to consult your veterinarian first to determine the cause. More information about itching in dogs that aren’t related to a food allergy or intolerance can be found in our other blog!
Symptoms of a food allergy or food intolerance in dogs
The most common symptom of a food allergy in dogs is itching. The location of the itching varies from dog to dog, but most often your dog will experience itching on the head, ears, neck, armpits, belly, groin, and between the toes and on the pads of the feet. Itching is, of course, extremely unpleasant, and you’ll often see your dog scratching, with all the consequences that entails. Your dog’s skin is very irritated, and bald spots may even develop. In addition to itching, your dog may also experience diarrhea or vomiting if they have a food allergy.
What causes the itching?
To explain why an allergic reaction to food causes itching, it’s important to first understand how your dog’s intestines and skin work.
Diet plays a major role in maintaining healthy gut flora, healthy skin, and a shiny coat.
Skin and coat
The skin has several protective layers consisting of skin cells, immune cells, and the microbiome. The skin covers a large portion of the body’s surface and is therefore constantly exposed to potential allergens, toxins, and pathogens.
The skin is a major metabolic organ and requires daily protein and other nutrients to perform its barrier function. The hairs in your dog’s coat are 95% protein. Dogs and cats need about 25–30% of the protein they get from their diet for normal hair growth and a healthy coat. In addition to protein, fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, are another 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 keeping your dog’s skin healthy.
The intestines
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 various parts of the body where they are needed, including the skin. The root cause of a food allergy or food intolerance begins in the intestines. Certain proteins in your dog’s food trigger an allergic reaction or are difficult to digest. This creates an imbalance in the intestines, which can ultimately lead to 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 a food intolerance. We explain this in 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 distinction between a dog with a food allergy and one with a food intolerance. The difference lies in what happens in your dog’s intestines after eating food 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; it perceives the “harmless” protein as an intruder and, as it were, attacks it. This immune system reaction releases chemicals, including histamine. Histamine causes blood vessels to dilate, making the skin appear red. It also increases the permeability of blood vessels, which can lead to fluid buildup 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, the intestines lack a specific enzyme needed to break down these proteins. As a result, the food is not fully digested and absorbed. This leads to a nutrient deficiency in your dog and causes an imbalance in the gut microbiome. Because 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 of 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 lead to 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 their diet is causing a reaction. To help soothe your dog’s itchy and irritated skin, apply our Doderm Hydro RepairGeltwice a day. This gel is specially formulated for dogs’ skin and supports skin with a weakened barrier. What makes our skin gel unique is that it contains filtered antibodies from cow colostrum, which naturally supports the skin’s recovery from irritation. The Hydro RepairGel is 100% natural and contains no antibiotics or corticosteroids. Want to learn more about how Doderm Hydro RepairGel can relieve your dog’s itching? Then read our page on exactly how exactly how Doderm Hydro RepairGel works. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We’re happy to help!
