Food Allergies & List
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When we think of allergies, we typically think of people with a runny nose and watery eyes. For our
animal companions, however, allergy symptoms tend to be manifested through the skin. We have all
known, and probably owned, a pet who always had skin that was dry and itchy, or that had frequent
“hot spots” and redness. These are signs of allergies. Pets with allergies may also have frequent ear
infections, anal gland problems, or digestive difficulty, as well as numerous other, less obvious
symptoms.
While our pets can also suffer environmental allergies (pollen, dust mites, etc.) just as we do, the most
common source of allergies comes from somewhere that many owners would never suspect – the food
we are feeding them. Since the advent of processed commercial pet food and widely-available
vaccines, we have inadvertently compromised the immune systems of the very animals we were trying
to provide with better health. Since allergies are a sign of a malfunctioning or weakened immune
system, we see more allergies in our dogs and cats than ever before.
Some animals show signs of food allergies at a very young age, but a pet can develop allergies at any
point in their lives. So, how can we best protect our pets from developing these frustrating,
uncomfortable problems? It is important to remember that as true carnivores, dogs and cats do not
require carbohydrates as a significant part of their diet. However, due to cost and manufacturing
factors, processed commercial pet foods (“kibble”) have a very high carbohydrate content. Generally,
the less expensive a food is, the more carbohydrates it contains. Consequently, our dogs and cats are
ingesting a huge amount of wheat, corn and soy (the most common carbohydrate-based allergens)
which they cannot properly digest, utilize, or eliminate from their bodies. They aren’t designed to eat
this sort of food, and so their bodies simply can’t tolerate it over the course of their lives.
Many dogs and cats also have protein-related allergies. While protein is a natural and essential part
of their diet, they can still have allergies to proteins, either from a very young age, or developing later
in life. Low-quality proteins may be more likely to produce an allergic condition, but simply feeding food
with one particular form of protein (chicken, for example) for year after year also increases the
likelihood that your pet will eventually develop an allergy to that protein.
The ideal solution is to feed our pets a diet that is biologically appropriate for them, consisting of a
variety of raw meats, bones, vegetables and fruits. There are also studies showing that puppies and
kittens who receive a supplement of probiotics during the first six months of their lives are significantly
less likely to develop allergies. These products, such as Animal Essentials Plant Enzymes and
Probiotics, help them develop plentiful healthy bacteria in their digestive tracts, providing them better
nutrition and better protection against potential allergens. Essential fatty acids are also very effective
in the battle against allergies.
If raw feeding isn’t something an owner is willing or able to do, there are still other ways to avoid food
allergies. Always select the highest quality kibble you possibly can, as well as canned foods (especially
for cats). Avoid any food that contains corn, wheat or soy. Rice (particularly whole brown rice) tends
to be a better choice, but after decades of everyone’s first choice for a “hypoallergenic” food being
lamb and rice, many pets are already predisposed to have problems with rice as well. Look for a food
that is grain-free if possible. These foods often have potato or tapioca instead of grains. Oatmeal,
quinoa, millet or barley may also be tolerated by pets. If you are trying to avoid having your pet
develop allergies, vary the protein and carbohydrate sources often. This could mean every time you
buy a bag, but should be at least every three months. For example, if you like a certain brand of food,
buy their chicken and rice variety today, their lamb and rice variety next time, and possibly a whitefish
and potato type the time after that. Rotating sets of ingredients in this way helps prevent pets’
bodies from developing sensitivities to any particular food source.
If your pet already has allergies, you have to approach it somewhat differently. First, stop feeding
whatever you had been giving your pet. It is best to go to unique sources of carbohydrates and
proteins, to which he or she has not previously been exposed. Some common options include duck
and potato, venison and millet, or whitefish and sweet potato. There are even many “exotic” proteins
on the market now, including quail, rabbit, kangaroo, and salmon. When switching to a new food, be
aware that it may take 1-3 months for your pet to show significant improvement, because it takes the
body time to purge the effects of the old food’s allergens. During that time, be sure to feed only that
food. Any treats must be very carefully selected, because switching food and then giving a treat that
contains different (and potential allergenic) ingredients will make it impossible to pinpoint and
eliminate the source of your pet’s allergies.
The following pages have some suggestions for foods that are likely to be beneficial for pets with
allergies.
Tips For Changing Your Pet’s Food
If your pet has been given a variety of foods over its lifetime, and if he or she doesn’t typically suffer
from digestive sensitivity, you may be able to make a food change very quickly and simply, and might
even be able to do it “cold turkey.” In most cases, though, it is best to make food switches gradually,
over the course of 5-10 days. This process will vary from pet to pet, and might take longer and be
more difficult with cats. Cats imprint more strongly on food sources from a young age, and may put
the new diet in the “non-food” category in their minds.
When switching dry foods, consider following the schedule shown below. You might be able to make
the complete changeover in a shorter time, or it may take your pet a bit longer to accept the change.
One suggestion for cats is to put the new food under the old food in the bowl. While it could take
longer for them to begin eating significant amounts of the new food, having their accepted food on top
allows them to eat, while getting some of the smell and small tastes of the new food, helping them
move it from the “non-food” category to what they recognize as a food source.
Days 1-3: 25% of new food, 75% of old food
Days 4-6: 50% of new food, 50% of old food
Days 7-9: 75% of new food, 25% of old food
Day 10: 100% of new food
If your pet experiences any digestive upset related to the food change, you can add an
enzyme/probiotics product to the food, or give a small amount of plain live culture yogurt with the
meals.
It is usually not difficult at all to get dogs to accept a raw diet. If your dog seems reluctant, you can try
allowing the raw food to reach room temperature, or mixing only small bits of it in with his dry food at
first. You are less likely to see digestive upset with a raw food diet, but if your pet experiences some
difficulty, use enzymes/probiotics or yogurt as described above.
Cats, due to their food imprinting tendencies, may be tougher to switch to a raw diet. While it is
exactly what they have evolved to eat, if they have not encountered it before they may be highly
resistant. Again, try offering the raw food at room temperature. You can put small amounts in a zip-
lock bag and place the bag in tepid water until the chill dissipates. Try adding just small bits of the raw
food in the middle or bottom layers of their dry food for a few days, so they get used to the smell and
begin to get small tastes of the raw food. It has also been recommended to place a small amount of
the raw food on your finger and rub it onto the roof of the cat’s mouth. In the amount of time it takes
them to lick it and swallow it, they begin to notice (and hopefully accept) the taste and texture.
Alternatively, offer the new food next to the old food, to introduce your cat to the new food. This way
you can ensure your cat will eat something, because cats cannot be allowed to fast the way dogs can.
Most low-cost commercial foods have ingredients that enhance the palatability (taste), and can
become addictive for cats.
“Free-feeding,” or leaving food out at all times, is not recommended for dogs or cats. Offer the foods
at designated meal times, leave it down for a specific amount of time, and then pick it up until the next
meal time. Dogs may go for several days without eating much, or at all, and that is fine as long as
their medical condition is not already compromised. Cats, however, do not fast well. If your cat is still
refusing food after 24 hours, let him eat whatever he will accept, and check with your veterinarian for
further suggestions on the diet change.
Foods That May Be Hypoallergenic For Your Dog or Cat
Some tips in selecting a food: Consider unique proteins such as duck, rabbit, venison, bison, turkey,
salmon or whitefish, and avoid chicken, beef or lamb if there is any chance your pet is sensitive to
those proteins. Look for grain-free foods, or foods with unusual grains or carbohydrates such as
barley, millet, oatmeal, sweet potato, quinoa, potato, etc. Venison, beef and lamb are considered
“warm” diets and should be avoided if your pet has moist dermatitis or ear infections. These foods are
just recommendations, based on those that we’ve seen produce good results in our patients. Using
the criteria discussed here, you can do your own research and might find other foods appropriate for
your pet. Many recommended dry foods also have suitable canned foods, but read the ingredients
and ask your pet’s veterinarian if you have any questions. Raw food is highly recommended, and is
available in many protein varieties, or you can mix your own at home. Raw diets might not be
recommended as a sole diet for some allergy situations such as irritable bowel. Follow the
recommendations of your pet’s vet.
animal companions, however, allergy symptoms tend to be manifested through the skin. We have all
known, and probably owned, a pet who always had skin that was dry and itchy, or that had frequent
“hot spots” and redness. These are signs of allergies. Pets with allergies may also have frequent ear
infections, anal gland problems, or digestive difficulty, as well as numerous other, less obvious
symptoms.
While our pets can also suffer environmental allergies (pollen, dust mites, etc.) just as we do, the most
common source of allergies comes from somewhere that many owners would never suspect – the food
we are feeding them. Since the advent of processed commercial pet food and widely-available
vaccines, we have inadvertently compromised the immune systems of the very animals we were trying
to provide with better health. Since allergies are a sign of a malfunctioning or weakened immune
system, we see more allergies in our dogs and cats than ever before.
Some animals show signs of food allergies at a very young age, but a pet can develop allergies at any
point in their lives. So, how can we best protect our pets from developing these frustrating,
uncomfortable problems? It is important to remember that as true carnivores, dogs and cats do not
require carbohydrates as a significant part of their diet. However, due to cost and manufacturing
factors, processed commercial pet foods (“kibble”) have a very high carbohydrate content. Generally,
the less expensive a food is, the more carbohydrates it contains. Consequently, our dogs and cats are
ingesting a huge amount of wheat, corn and soy (the most common carbohydrate-based allergens)
which they cannot properly digest, utilize, or eliminate from their bodies. They aren’t designed to eat
this sort of food, and so their bodies simply can’t tolerate it over the course of their lives.
Many dogs and cats also have protein-related allergies. While protein is a natural and essential part
of their diet, they can still have allergies to proteins, either from a very young age, or developing later
in life. Low-quality proteins may be more likely to produce an allergic condition, but simply feeding food
with one particular form of protein (chicken, for example) for year after year also increases the
likelihood that your pet will eventually develop an allergy to that protein.
The ideal solution is to feed our pets a diet that is biologically appropriate for them, consisting of a
variety of raw meats, bones, vegetables and fruits. There are also studies showing that puppies and
kittens who receive a supplement of probiotics during the first six months of their lives are significantly
less likely to develop allergies. These products, such as Animal Essentials Plant Enzymes and
Probiotics, help them develop plentiful healthy bacteria in their digestive tracts, providing them better
nutrition and better protection against potential allergens. Essential fatty acids are also very effective
in the battle against allergies.
If raw feeding isn’t something an owner is willing or able to do, there are still other ways to avoid food
allergies. Always select the highest quality kibble you possibly can, as well as canned foods (especially
for cats). Avoid any food that contains corn, wheat or soy. Rice (particularly whole brown rice) tends
to be a better choice, but after decades of everyone’s first choice for a “hypoallergenic” food being
lamb and rice, many pets are already predisposed to have problems with rice as well. Look for a food
that is grain-free if possible. These foods often have potato or tapioca instead of grains. Oatmeal,
quinoa, millet or barley may also be tolerated by pets. If you are trying to avoid having your pet
develop allergies, vary the protein and carbohydrate sources often. This could mean every time you
buy a bag, but should be at least every three months. For example, if you like a certain brand of food,
buy their chicken and rice variety today, their lamb and rice variety next time, and possibly a whitefish
and potato type the time after that. Rotating sets of ingredients in this way helps prevent pets’
bodies from developing sensitivities to any particular food source.
If your pet already has allergies, you have to approach it somewhat differently. First, stop feeding
whatever you had been giving your pet. It is best to go to unique sources of carbohydrates and
proteins, to which he or she has not previously been exposed. Some common options include duck
and potato, venison and millet, or whitefish and sweet potato. There are even many “exotic” proteins
on the market now, including quail, rabbit, kangaroo, and salmon. When switching to a new food, be
aware that it may take 1-3 months for your pet to show significant improvement, because it takes the
body time to purge the effects of the old food’s allergens. During that time, be sure to feed only that
food. Any treats must be very carefully selected, because switching food and then giving a treat that
contains different (and potential allergenic) ingredients will make it impossible to pinpoint and
eliminate the source of your pet’s allergies.
The following pages have some suggestions for foods that are likely to be beneficial for pets with
allergies.
Tips For Changing Your Pet’s Food
If your pet has been given a variety of foods over its lifetime, and if he or she doesn’t typically suffer
from digestive sensitivity, you may be able to make a food change very quickly and simply, and might
even be able to do it “cold turkey.” In most cases, though, it is best to make food switches gradually,
over the course of 5-10 days. This process will vary from pet to pet, and might take longer and be
more difficult with cats. Cats imprint more strongly on food sources from a young age, and may put
the new diet in the “non-food” category in their minds.
When switching dry foods, consider following the schedule shown below. You might be able to make
the complete changeover in a shorter time, or it may take your pet a bit longer to accept the change.
One suggestion for cats is to put the new food under the old food in the bowl. While it could take
longer for them to begin eating significant amounts of the new food, having their accepted food on top
allows them to eat, while getting some of the smell and small tastes of the new food, helping them
move it from the “non-food” category to what they recognize as a food source.
Days 1-3: 25% of new food, 75% of old food
Days 4-6: 50% of new food, 50% of old food
Days 7-9: 75% of new food, 25% of old food
Day 10: 100% of new food
If your pet experiences any digestive upset related to the food change, you can add an
enzyme/probiotics product to the food, or give a small amount of plain live culture yogurt with the
meals.
It is usually not difficult at all to get dogs to accept a raw diet. If your dog seems reluctant, you can try
allowing the raw food to reach room temperature, or mixing only small bits of it in with his dry food at
first. You are less likely to see digestive upset with a raw food diet, but if your pet experiences some
difficulty, use enzymes/probiotics or yogurt as described above.
Cats, due to their food imprinting tendencies, may be tougher to switch to a raw diet. While it is
exactly what they have evolved to eat, if they have not encountered it before they may be highly
resistant. Again, try offering the raw food at room temperature. You can put small amounts in a zip-
lock bag and place the bag in tepid water until the chill dissipates. Try adding just small bits of the raw
food in the middle or bottom layers of their dry food for a few days, so they get used to the smell and
begin to get small tastes of the raw food. It has also been recommended to place a small amount of
the raw food on your finger and rub it onto the roof of the cat’s mouth. In the amount of time it takes
them to lick it and swallow it, they begin to notice (and hopefully accept) the taste and texture.
Alternatively, offer the new food next to the old food, to introduce your cat to the new food. This way
you can ensure your cat will eat something, because cats cannot be allowed to fast the way dogs can.
Most low-cost commercial foods have ingredients that enhance the palatability (taste), and can
become addictive for cats.
“Free-feeding,” or leaving food out at all times, is not recommended for dogs or cats. Offer the foods
at designated meal times, leave it down for a specific amount of time, and then pick it up until the next
meal time. Dogs may go for several days without eating much, or at all, and that is fine as long as
their medical condition is not already compromised. Cats, however, do not fast well. If your cat is still
refusing food after 24 hours, let him eat whatever he will accept, and check with your veterinarian for
further suggestions on the diet change.
Foods That May Be Hypoallergenic For Your Dog or Cat
Some tips in selecting a food: Consider unique proteins such as duck, rabbit, venison, bison, turkey,
salmon or whitefish, and avoid chicken, beef or lamb if there is any chance your pet is sensitive to
those proteins. Look for grain-free foods, or foods with unusual grains or carbohydrates such as
barley, millet, oatmeal, sweet potato, quinoa, potato, etc. Venison, beef and lamb are considered
“warm” diets and should be avoided if your pet has moist dermatitis or ear infections. These foods are
just recommendations, based on those that we’ve seen produce good results in our patients. Using
the criteria discussed here, you can do your own research and might find other foods appropriate for
your pet. Many recommended dry foods also have suitable canned foods, but read the ingredients
and ask your pet’s veterinarian if you have any questions. Raw food is highly recommended, and is
available in many protein varieties, or you can mix your own at home. Raw diets might not be
recommended as a sole diet for some allergy situations such as irritable bowel. Follow the
recommendations of your pet’s vet.