Although food allergies receive a lot of attention, they are actually relatively uncommon in dogs. Research suggests that true food allergies affect less than 1% of the overall dog population, but may account for a higher proportion of dogs with dermatological problems - around 10–20% of dogs diagnosed with allergic skin disease may have a food related trigger.
Food Allergy vs Food Intolerance in Dogs: What’s the Difference?
A food allergy is when the body’s immune system overreacts to a protein in the food, releasing excess inflammatory mediators such as histamine. Signs include itchy, red skin, vomiting and diarrhoea, swelling of the face and respiratory issues.
A food intolerance is more common and much less severe. This is where the body struggles to digest certain ingredients, it is not an immune reaction. Symptoms can include gastrointestinal upset and mild skin issues. An intolerance may be due to genetic disposition, alterations in gastrointestinal permeability (‘Leaky Gut’) or microbiome dysbiosis. These food intolerances can often be improved with gut support that improves the intestinal barrier function and promotes a healthy gut microbiome.
What Does Hypoallergenic Dog Food Mean?
There is no regulated definition of ‘hypoallergenic’ in pet food, so what does ‘hypoallergenic’ actually mean, and how do ingredients like hydrolysed poultry protein help pets with food sensitivities?
The term hypoallergenic basically means ‘less likely to cause an allergic reaction’. In the context of pet food, it refers to diets specifically formulated to reduce the chance of triggering food allergies or intolerances. Hypoallergenic diets aim to minimise reactions by using carefully selected protein sources that the immune system is unlikely to recognise as allergens.
Why Protein Causes Food Allergies in Dogs
Protein is the most common trigger for food allergies in pets. Typical ingredients such as beef, chicken, dairy and wheat can sometimes provoke immune reactions in sensitive animals.
Chicken is often blamed for these allergies and intolerances, but studies suggest that chicken is no more likely than any other protein, with beef and dairy being more likely at 34% and 17% respectively, compared to 15% prevalence for chicken. This percentage is the prevalence in dogs with confirmed adverse food reaction, not dog population overall. Therefore, when applied to the entire dog population, it means that less than 0.2% of all dogs are affected by a chicken allergy.
Because the symptoms of food-related reactions can overlap with environmental allergies, parasites or infections, vets usually rely on carefully controlled elimination diets, often using hydrolysed protein formulas, to determine whether food is the underlying cause. Food allergy testing is notoriously inaccurate, the best way to determine which foods your dog reacts to is with an elimination diet.
These elimination trials are usually performed using one of the following two options:
- Novel protein diets – using proteins your dog has never eaten before, this can sometimes be hard to source as there is a lot of protein cross-contamination in pet food.
- Hydrolysed protein diets – where proteins are broken down into very small fragments. Hydrolysed diets have become increasingly popular because they offer a highly controlled approach to reducing allergenicity.
What is Hydrolysed Poultry Protein?
Hydrolysed poultry protein is produced through a process called hydrolysis, where poultry proteins are broken down using enzymes into much smaller components called peptides and amino acids. This process effectively changes the structure of the protein molecules.
Normally, the immune system recognises specific shapes or structures on proteins called antigens. When proteins are hydrolysed into extremely small fragments, these structures are no longer easily recognised by the immune system. As a result, the protein is far less likely to trigger a reaction.
Benefits of Hydrolysed Protein for Dogs
Hydrolysed poultry protein offers several important benefits in pet diets.
Reduced allergenic potential
Because the protein molecules are broken down into very small fragments, they are less likely to be detected by the immune system as allergens. This significantly lowers the chance of triggering an immune response.
Palatability
Hydrolysed poultry protein is highly palatable and shows good acceptance rates, even in dogs with reduced appetite due to gastrointestinal or dermatological conditions.
Highly digestible amino acid source
Hydrolysed proteins are already partially broken down, making them easier for pets to digest and absorb. This can help pets with sensitive digestive systems or gastrointestinal issues.
Natural VetCare chews contain hydrolysed poultry protein to make them more palatable and appealing to your dog. The protein has gone through the process of hydrolysis, where it has been broken down into smaller peptides and individual amino acids to result in a more palatable, bioavailable ingredient that is unlikely to stimulate an immune reaction.
Summary
Food allergies in dogs are uncommon but can be very frustrating for both pets and owners. When a food allergy or intolerance is suspected, vets often recommend carefully controlled diets using either novel proteins or hydrolysed protein diets to reduce the risk of triggering an immune reaction.
Hydrolysed poultry protein provides a highly digestible source of amino acids while minimising the chance of the immune system recognising the protein as an allergen.
Natural VetCare chews contain hydrolysed poultry protein to improve palatability while remaining suitable for dogs with sensitive digestive systems.
If you have further questions on any of the Natural VetCare products, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
References
- Mueller R.S., Olivry T., Prélaud P. (2016) ‘Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (2): common food allergen sources in dogs and cats’ BMC Veterinary Research 12:9
- Olivry T. and Mueller R.S. (2017) ‘Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (3): prevalence of cutaneous adverse food reactions in dogs and cats.’ BMC Veterinary Research 13:51
