![]() None of the currently available tests have been shown to be accurate – that non-allergic dogs test negative and allergic dogs (and only allergic dogs) test positive. While many tests – using blood, saliva, and even hair – that can be performed a veterinarian or purchased by a pet owner online (and even sometimes shockingly, through a Groupon!) advertise that they can diagnose food allergies or “sensitivities”, there is no proof that they work. One of the most frustrating things about food allergies is that there really isn’t an easy test. ![]() Both flea allergies and environmental allergies are MUCH more common in pets than food allergies but flea, environmental, and food allergies can all have similar symptoms. The most common cause of itching, skin infections, and ear infections in both dogs and cats are fleas, allergies to fleas, and environmental allergies – dust mites, pollen, grasses. What are other causes of itching, and skin and ear infections? For pets that have symptoms only on certain diets, it could be due to a food allergy, but it could also be due to an intolerance – the food may have too much fat, too much or too little fiber, or have other properties or ingredients that don’t agree with that particular pet, but aren’t due to an allergy. There are dozens of causes of gastrointestinal issues in dogs and cats – parasites, viruses, bacterial infections, pancreatitis, eating something they shouldn’t, and many others. What are other causes of gastrointestinal signs in dogs and cats? However, food allergies have to be distinguished from numerous other more common causes of these issues. ![]() Some unlucky pets will have both skin and gastrointestinal symptoms. The end result of this response can be itchy skin or ear and skin infections in some pets, while it may cause vomiting or diarrhea in others. And while food allergies are one possible cause for your dog’s itchy skin and ear infections or your cat’s diarrhea, there are many more likely causes which may have nothing to do with the foodįood allergies occur when an animal’s immune system misidentifies a protein from a food as an invader rather than a food item and mounts an immune response. How true are these claims, though?Īs it turns out, food allergies are not as common as many pet food companies and websites may like for you to think. ![]() And the majority of companies that make grain-free diets suggest that they may be helpful for pets with allergies. “Allergen-free dog food“ touts one product website, while another company advertises “limited ingredient diets”. ![]()
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