Food allergies in Dogs and Cats: Try this recipe

By Dr. Andrew Jones March 19, 2024 0 Comment

You have not likely done a proper food trial for your allergic dog or cat. In this newsletter I’ll show you an easier way.

It is much better for your pet to stop the scratching by changing diet than having to give an ARRAY of treatments for environmental allergy.

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Rule out Dog and Cat Food Allergy with a Food Trial

Up to 15% of dogs and cats can have a food allergy

“The most common food allergens in dogs and cats are proteins… ."

In dogs from dairy, beef, chicken, chicken eggs, soy, or wheat gluten. Virtually any food ingredient can produce an allergy, however. Proteins are the most common culprits but other substances and additives can also be responsible.

Cats are most often allergic to beef, fish, chicken and dairy. Lesser common ones include soy, wheat, gluten, but also coloring, preservatives etc.

Commercial Diets

There are no diets that are completely “hypoallergenic", meaning that they will not cause allergies. The closest we have to this kind of a diet are the hydrolyzed diets that can be purchased through veterinarians. Dogs and cats can be allergic to pretty much any protein or carbohydrate ingredient that can be found in pet food.

Diagnosis of food allergies

There really isn’t an easy test. While many tests – using blood, saliva, and even hair – that can be performed a veterinarian or purchased by a pet owner online (there is no proof that they work.

None of the currently available tests have been shown to be accurate.

The “gold standard" or best method that we currently have, for diagnosing food allergies is the dietary elimination trial.

To be a true elimination trial for your dog or cat, this special diet must not contain any ingredients that it has eaten in the past. It also requires that no other foods, treats, or supplements are fed during the trial period, including flavored vitamins and certain parasite preventives.

If your pet’s allergy symptoms resolve while on the food trial, the next step is to perform a food challenge by re-introducing your old food. If your pet’s symptoms resolve with the food trial AND return within one week of a food challenge, your dog or cat has been definitively diagnosed with a food allergy.

Veterinary Diets:

Veterinary hydrolyzed protein diets, in which the protein molecules are broken down to a size too small to be recognized by your pet’s immune system (e.g., Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d, Royal Canin Hypoallergenic Hydrolyzed Protein or Anallergenic?, and Purina ProPlan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed).

Rule out Food Allergy with a Simple Homemade Dog Food Trial

1/3 Turkey, (1 lb), chopped and cooked
1/3 Carb of Brown Rice (2 cups) cooked
1/3 Veggie (ie Kale) (2 cups), cook with turkey, or frozen mixed veggies (1 cup)
Sunflower Oil (2 tablespoons)
Krill oil, 1000mg
Calcium, 1 teaspoon (1000mg) . This is less critical for a food trial, only really needed if this diet is being fed long term. If adding in, consider the powder as now many dogs have allergies to eggs. (ie avoid eggshells)

For a 50lb dog, feed 1/2 of this twice day. (2 cups, twice daily)

Simple Homemade Cat Food Trial

Turkey, (1 lb), chopped and cooked
Sunflower Oil (1 tablespoons)
Krill oil, 1000mgTaurine, 500mg
Calcium, 1 teaspoon (1000mg) . This is less critical for a food trial, only really needed if this diet is being fed long term.

For a 10lb cat, feed 1/2 cup of this twice day. It equates to 1/4lb (115 grams), twice daily

Feed this as the ONLY food to your dog for a minimum of 6 weeks, ideally for 12 weeks. 80% of dogs respond by 6 weeks.

For cats feed for a minimum of 8 weeks, ideally 12 weeks.

P.S. Food allergy trials are *very difficult*, and our pets seem to find a way to ‘get into stuff’… . BUT stick with it, as it is such a better way to manage your dog or cat’s allergy.

P.P.S. You should consider Dr Jones ULTIMATE 95% Curcumin supplement, specifically designed for dogs and cats. This powerful supplement contains curcumin, a natural compound found in turmeric that has been shown to decrease inflammation in the body. By reducing inflammation, your pet will feel much happier and more comfortable.