If your dog has been scratching for months, despite a change of shampoo and a lot of patient waiting, it is worth considering whether the cause lies in the bowl. A food allergy in dogs shows itself in a fairly typical way, but one that is easy to miss. Similar symptoms can also have other causes, so in this guide we show you what to look out for before you book a visit to the vet.
Skin symptoms of allergy in dogs
- Persistent itching that keeps coming back despite changes to grooming products and care.
- Scratching and paw licking, often until the skin turns red.
- Skin changes and redness in the places your dog can reach.
- Recurring ear infections that come back despite local treatment.
Digestive symptoms of allergy in dogs
- Loose stools and diarrhoea, even when the diet has not changed.
- Bloating and wind.
- More frequent bowel movements than usual.
Start with the vet
Itching, ear infections or diarrhoea can also be caused by parasites, infections or an environmental allergy. Your vet will rule these out first and judge whether a food allergy is a reasonable suspicion. Do not delay the visit if the symptoms are severe, if the skin is changed or infected or if your dog is clearly weak.
The most common allergens behind allergies in dogs
In dogs, animal proteins are the most common allergens, for example beef, dairy, chicken or egg. Contrary to popular belief, grains on their own are a less common cause of allergy, as we explain in more detail in our guide to grain-free food. That is why, when an allergy is suspected, the focus is above all on the protein source, not on whether there are grains in the ingredients.
How to confirm an allergy
The most reliable method is an elimination diet carried out under the supervision of a vet: your dog eats a single new protein for several weeks, and other ingredients are then brought back gradually. Blood tests on their own are often unreliable in animals and do not replace an elimination trial. We describe how to carry it out step by step in a separate guide to the elimination diet.
What to do day to day
Once you know what your dog is allergic to, choose foods without that ingredient and avoid treats that may contain hidden allergens. A simple, clear ingredient list makes it easier to stay in control of what your dog actually eats every day. We explain how to tell a food-related cause from an environmental one in our guide to skin and food allergy.
Where Veli fits in
Every Veli recipe has a fully declared composition with a percentage next to each ingredient, so it is easy to check that it does not contain your dog’s allergen. Five recipes are based on a single type of meat and our proprietary bio-protein EntoPro™. The exception is Salmon + EntoPro™, which, besides salmon, also contains 9% chicken offal.
If your vet recommends an elimination diet, you could consider the Venison + EntoPro™ recipe with deer meat, a novel protein for most dogs. And when you build your bundle and mark your dog’s allergies, we leave the flavours with those ingredients out of our suggestions.
What are the symptoms of a food allergy in dogs?
Most often itchy skin, paw licking, recurring ear infections and digestive problems that last all year round.
What are dogs most often allergic to?
Most often to animal proteins such as beef, dairy, chicken or egg. Grains are a less common cause of allergy.
How can I find out what my dog is allergic to?
Start with a visit to your vet, who will rule out other causes of the symptoms. The most reliable method is an elimination diet carried out over several weeks under their supervision. Blood tests are often not very reliable.
