Alpha-Gal Syndrome: Tick Bite Causing Meat Allergy

By Dr. Andrew Jones February 18, 2026 0 Comment

Can a Tick Bite Make Your Dog Allergic to Meat?

You may have heard that a tick bite can cause people to become allergic to red meat. It is called Alpha Gal syndrome, and in some cases it can be severe or even life threatening.

So the big question is this:

If ticks can cause this in people, can the same thing happen to our dogs?

Let’s break it down.

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What Is Alpha Gal Syndrome?

Alpha Gal syndrome is a type of food allergy that develops after a bite from a specific tick called the lone star tick.

This tick carries a carbohydrate in its saliva called alpha gal. Alpha gal is found in most mammals such as cows, pigs, and lamb. It is not found in humans, apes, or many monkeys.

When a person is bitten, the immune system may recognize alpha gal as foreign and produce antibodies against it. Later, when that person eats red meat, those antibodies react.

The result can be:

Hives
Itching
Vomiting
Diarrhea
In severe cases, anaphylaxis

It often happens several hours after eating meat, which makes it even more confusing.

Why It Happens in People

The key point is this:

Humans do not naturally have alpha gal in their bodies.

When it is injected through a tick bite, the immune system sees it as an invader and reacts. Once antibodies are formed, eating red meat can trigger a serious allergic response.

That is Alpha Gal syndrome.

Can Dogs Get Alpha Gal Syndrome?

Here is the important part.

Dogs already have alpha gal in their bodies.

They are mammals. Alpha gal is naturally present in most mammals. Because of that, a dog’s immune system does not recognize alpha gal as foreign.

Even if a lone star tick bites your dog, the immune system is not going to create antibodies against alpha gal in the same way a human does.

To date, there are no documented cases of dogs developing Alpha Gal syndrome from tick bites.

Your dog is not at risk for becoming allergic to beef because of alpha gal.

What You Should Actually Worry About

Ticks are still a real concern.

They transmit serious diseases such as:

Lyme disease
Anaplasmosis
Ehrlichiosis

Tick prevention still matters. Regular checking, grooming, and removal are essential. In some areas, additional protection may be needed.

But alpha gal meat allergy is not something you need to worry about in your dog.

A Final Word on Diet

Ironically, red meat can be an excellent protein source for dogs. In many cases, increasing high quality animal protein and reducing excessive carbohydrates can improve overall health.

Alpha gal syndrome is a real and serious condition in people. It is not a concern for dogs.