Identifying Uncommon Food Allergies in Pets: Beyond Grains and Chicken

If your pet is exhibiting behavioral issues or you’re noticing signs of illness, their food might be the problem—even if you’ve already adjusted their diet. Uncommon food allergies are more common than you think. If your dog or cat keeps scratching, licking, or getting ear infections, their diet could be to blame. 

What Pet Food Allergies Actually Are

Food allergies in pets happen when their immune system overreacts to a specific protein. It’s not just about food not sitting right—it’s a full-body response. This is different from a food intolerance, like being lactose sensitive, which doesn’t involve the immune system. Allergies trigger inflammation and irritation, often in the skin or gut. The signs are not always easy to identify, which is why it is important to get proper diagnosis and pet allergy care from an experienced vet.

Signs Your Pet May Have an Allergy

Some pets show signs of food allergies in ways that look like other common issues. Constant itching—especially around the ears or paws—often shows up first. You might also notice repeated ear or skin infections that never seem to fully go away. Digestive trouble is another clue, including vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive gas. When these symptoms don’t respond to regular treatments, their diet is a good place to start looking for answers.

Common Culprits

Some of the most common allergens for pets Most pet owners wouldn’t think of beef or eggs as the ingredient that’s triggering their pet’s allergies, but beef is actually one of the most common protein allergens. Eggs can also be an allergen, but sometimes they are included in special allergy diets, so it’s always best to speak to your vet if you suspect an allergen in your pet’s diet. Always read the full label of your pet food, and it’s a good idea to bring the labels into your vet if you’re having trouble figuring out the problem.

How Vets Diagnose Food Allergies

Diagnosing food allergies in pets isn’t as straightforward as running a simple blood test. In fact, blood tests are not reliable for identifying food allergies. Instead, the gold standard for diagnosis is an elimination diet. This approach involves feeding your pet a very restricted diet that eliminates all potential allergens, usually for a period of 8 to 12 weeks. During this phase, you’ll be providing your pet with a novel protein or carbohydrate source that they’ve never had before. It’s crucial to stick to this diet without giving your pet anything else, not even treats or flavored medications, as even small deviations can affect the results.

After the elimination phase, the process continues with a reintroduction phase. This is where you’ll carefully reintroduce one potential allergen at a time, watching for any adverse reactions. Each food ingredient should be tested separately, and this phase can take time. If any symptoms reappear after reintroducing a specific ingredient, you’ll know which one is causing the allergy.

Why Working With a Vet is So Important 

While this process may take several weeks or even months, it’s the most reliable way to identify what’s triggering your pet’s allergies. Because this process is relatively lengthy, it’s important to know that it’ll require patience, attention to detail, and consistency.

It is not recommended to try and guess or switch your pet’s food multiple times in an attempt to solve the problem—unfortunately, this can make the situation more confusing and complicate the diagnosis. Instead, work closely with your vet. Vets can recommend hypoallergenic foods, prescription diets, or even home-cooked options designed by a boarded veterinary nutritionist depending on what works best for your pet. 

If you’re in the Fort Collins area and are concerned about your pet having allergies, don’t hesitate to contact Coyote Veterinary Clinic to learn more and schedule a visit!