What Makes a Dog Food Truly Hypoallergenic?

Food-related sensitivities in dogs can manifest through various symptoms, prompting pet owners to seek specialised diets. Understanding the distinctions between food allergies and intolerances, as well as the roles of hydrolysed and novel proteins, is essential in selecting an appropriate hypoallergenic dog food.

Understanding Food Allergies vs. Intolerances

Food Allergies: These involve an immune-mediated hypersensitivity (overreaction from the immune system) to specific dietary proteins. Upon exposure, the dog's immune system mistakenly identifies the protein as harmful, triggering reactions such as itching, redness, swelling, and gastrointestinal disturbances. [1]  Common allergens include proteins from beef, dairy, chicken, wheat, soy, and eggs. Notably, food allergies are relatively rare, affecting less than 1% of the canine population. 

Food Intolerances: Unlike allergies, intolerances do not involve the immune system, and tend to be less severe. Instead, they result from the dog's inability to digest certain ingredients, leading to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and gas. For instance, lactose intolerance occurs when a dog lacks the enzyme lactase, necessary for breaking down lactose in dairy products. [2]

How Hydrolysed Proteins and Novel Proteins Work

Hydrolysed Proteins: This approach involves breaking down proteins into smaller components through a process called hydrolysis. The resulting peptides are so small that the immune system is less likely to recognise them as allergens, thereby reducing the risk of an adverse reaction. Hydrolysed protein diets are often recommended for dogs with known food allergies, as they can help in managing and reducing allergic responses.

Novel Proteins: These are protein sources that a dog has not been previously exposed to, such as venison, duck, kangaroo or (you guessed it) insects! The rationale is that the immune system is less likely to react to unfamiliar proteins, making novel protein diets beneficial for dogs with food sensitivities. However, with the increasing availability of diverse protein sources in commercial pet foods, it's crucial to ensure that the chosen novel protein is truly new to the dog's diet.

Common Allergens in Commercial Dog Food

In commercial dog foods, certain ingredients are more frequently associated with allergic reactions:

• Beef: Approximately 34% of dogs with food allergies react to beef proteins.

• Dairy Products: About 17% of affected dogs are allergic to dairy.

• Chicken: Accounts for 15% of food allergies in dogs.

• Wheat: Responsible for 13% of canine food allergies.

• Lamb: Around 5% of dogs with food allergies react to lamb.

Other potential allergens include soy, corn, eggs, pork, fish, and rice [3].

Identifying the specific allergen affecting a dog often requires an elimination diet, where suspected ingredients are removed and then gradually reintroduced to observe reactions. We recommend collaborating with your vet to develop an effective dietary plan which is tailored to your dog's needs.

In summary, a truly hypoallergenic dog food is formulated to minimise the risk of allergic reactions by utilising hydrolysed proteins or novel protein sources and avoiding common allergens. Understanding the difference between food allergies and intolerances, along with recognising common allergens, is really valuable in enabling you to make informed decisions for your dogs' health.

[1] Food allergy in dogs and cats: a review - PubMed 

[2] Food intolerance in dogs and cats - PubMed 

[3] Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (2): common food allergen sources in dogs and cats 

 

Share