Food Allergies in Dog, Cats – Causes, Symptoms, Natural Treatments

In this article:

1. What Triggers Food Hypersensitivities (Intolerance and Allergies) in Dogs and Cats
2. What Happens In the GI Tract When Food Triggers a Hypersensitive (Intolerance or  Allergic) Response
3. Symptoms of Food Hypersensitivities (Intolerance and Allergy Symptoms)
   
4. Common Food Allergens to Avoid and Appropriate Alternatives
   
5. The Elimination Diet
   
6. Natural Treatments to Sooth Symptoms 
1. Diarrhea
2. Ear Infections
   
3. Eye Irritation and Eye Infections 
4. Anal Gland Issues, Paw and Skin Issues
   

1.0 What Triggers Food Hypersensitivities (Intolerance and Allergies) in Dogs and Cats

The number of dogs and cats acquiring food hypersensitivity (food intolerance, food allergies) is rapidly increasing. This trend is reflected in the number one non-life threatening reason why people brought their dogs and cats to the veterinarian during 2012, ear infections. The on-set of food hypersensitivity can be caused by many factors, including inoculations, other conventional drugs, a species inappropriate diet, and other factors discussed further below.

 

One of the most common causes of ear infections and paw and skin irritations is an over-growth of bad bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract (GI Tract) which leads to a yeast bloom. The most common cause of yeast overgrowth is a food allergy. When the root cause of the bloom is not treated the condition becomes chronic. When the root cause of the infection is treated incorrectly (i.e. the solution offered by the veterinarian is multiple courses of antibiotics, is a prescription food, is a steroidal medication such as prednisone further health issues can and very often do ensue.  

 

Food allergies occur due to overreaction of the immune system triggered by repeated ingestion of foods and additives that are potential and in many cases known allergens. In addition, once a dog or cat’s immune system becomes hyperactive it may also become reactive to food items that would not normally create a problem, for example chicken or beef. As well there are additional factors that can exacerbate sensitivity. For example, toxic food and drugs the farm animal was exposed to:

Antibiotics?
GMO corn?
Growth hormones?
Grains high in aflatoxins?  

 

These substances damage your dog and cat's gut health and immune system.

 

2.0 What Happens In the GI Tract When Food Triggers a Hypersensitive Response (Intolerance or Allergic Response)

A dog and cat’s gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) is a semi permeable barrier. Partial permeability supports the transfer of nutrients into the blood stream to nourish all parts of the body.

 
The GI tract digests and breaks down food to release nutrients for absorption into the blood stream.

  

The GI tract prevents partially digested non-nutritive matter (animate and inanimate) and allergenic matter from entering the blood stream. These substances are passed out of the body via the lower digestive tract.

 
When partially digested matter slips through the semi-permeable wall of the GI tract into the blood stream the immune system reacts, resulting in an allergic reaction. The slippage of unwanted material into the blood stream is called ‘leaky gut syndrome’, the medical term is dysbiosis.

 
This immune system response will occur every time the dog or cat consumes the substance that caused the reaction.

 
When the substance is consumed on a regular basis or intermittent basis the allergic reaction becomes a chronic event.

 

3.0 Symptoms of Food Hypersensitivities

Common symptoms of food hypersensitivities (intolerance and allergies) include:

 

Gastrointestinal Issues

for example:

1. Abdominal discomfort
2. Acid reflux
3. Anal gland issues
4. Constipation
5. Diarrhea
6. Loose stools
7. Inappetence
8. Nausea
   
9. Vomiting
   

Infections

for example:

1. Ear infections
2. Eye infections
3. Paw infections
   
4. Skin infections

Skin and Fur Issues:

for example:

1. Paws
2. Select locations on the body
3. All over body

Symptoms such as:

1. Acne 
2. Hot spots
3. Inflamed skin
4. Irritated skin
5. Rashes

4.0 Common Food Allergens to Avoid, and Appropriate Alternatives

Examples of common food allergens...

 

4.1 Toxic Animal Protein, Fat, Bone

4.1.1 Factory Farmed Products

 

Factory farm sourced animal proteins, animal fats, bones and by products can lead to food intolerance, and otherwise harm your dog and cat's health.

 

Learn more about toxins and other harmful substances in factory farm sourced products:

• Go to this article.

 

4.1.2 Condemned Denatured Meat, Fat, Bones 

 

D4 animal products (dead before entering the slaughter facility, diseased, dying and disabled animals) are not permitted for use in human food production. However these animals are allowed for use in pet food.

 

The USDA, Health Canada, and the FSA have regulations in-place to condemn D4 animals to ensure the animal carcasses and parts do not enter the human food production chain. Under the regulations the condemned meat, fat, , bones etc. must be denatured with a denaturing product. Denaturing product are toxic.

To learn more about:

1. D4 animals.
2. Condemned denatured animal products.
3. How these products harm your dog and cat's health.
   
4. How to avoid these products.

Go to this article.

4.2 Egg By Products 

 

Egg by products are the effluent left over from processing eggs for human consumption. Egg by products include the water and chemicals used to 'wash' eggs, fragments of eggshell, etc. Egg by products are toxic and have no nutritional value.

Learn more about the chemical washing agents used on eggs.

• Go to this article.

 

4.3 Fish Meal and Toxic Preservatives
 

Fish meal is a toxic product. Its made from poor quality fish, undesirable fish, fish rejected from the human food supply due to various reasons including:

1. Disease.
2. Contamination with aflatoxins and other toxic substances.
   
3. Rancidity.
   
4. Effluent left over from human food processing.

Depending on the supplier, fish meal can also contain ethoxyquin, a toxic, carcinogenic preservative. 

 

Learn more about ethoxyquin.

• Go to this article.

Fish meal can include wild-caught fish and farmed fish rejected for use from human food production.

 

 

4.4 Inappropriate Fats 

 

Examples of inappropriate fats include:

1. Fish oil from farmed fish.
2. Rendered fat from D4 animals and from animals fed GMO grains, soy, hormones, antibiotics; rancid fat preserved with chemical-based preservatives.
3. Vegetable oils, e.g. canola, cottonseed, safflower, soy.

Examples of appropriate alternatives:

1. Fish
1. Go to this article.
   
2. Coconut Oil
   
1. Go to this article.
   

4.5 Grains and Starchy Seeds

 

Grains and starchy seeds are a common allergen. Grains and starchy seeds also cause and contribute to a wide range of health issues and disease in dogs and cats.

Without exception, grains and starchy seeds are not an appropriate food for dogs or cats. For example:

1. Barley 
2. Bulgar
   
3. Corn
4. Millet
   
5. Oatmeal
6. Quinoa
   
7. Rice
8. Rye
9. Spelt
   
10. Wheat
11. Other processed cereal grains and starchy seeds.
    

Additionally, grains used in dog and cat food can be contaminated with aflatoxins. 

 

Aflatoxins can also be found in cotton seed oil, fish meal, legumes (peanut butter, peanuts and other ground nuts and beans, e.g., lentils chickpeas, etc.). 

 

Learn more about why grains and starchy seeds are harmful to dogs and cats.

• Go to this article.

 

4.6 Starchy Root Vegetables 

 

Like grains, starchy root vegetables cause and contribute to a wide range of health issues and chronic disease in dogs and cats. 

Starchy root vegetables that are inappropriate for dogs and cats include:

1. Jicama
2. Sweet potato 
3. Potato
4. Yam 

Learn more about these starchy root vegetables:

1. Why and how they harm your dog and cat's health.
2. Appropriate alternatives.

Go to this article.

 

4.7 Beans

 

Like grains, starchy seeds and starchy root vegetables, beans are a common allergen. Beans are also associated with other inflammatory issues and chronic disease in dogs and cats.

Beans that should never be included in your dog or cat's diet include:

1. Chick peas
2. Kidney beans
   
3. Lentils
4. Navy beans 
5. Peanuts
   
6. Soy beans
7. For an extensive list of beans to avoid, refer to the article link provided just below.
   

Learn more about beans:

1. Why beans are harmful to dogs and cats.
2. An extensive list of beans to avoid.
   
3. Appropriate alternatives.

Go to this article.

Learn more about peanuts and peanut butter:

1. Why peanuts and peanut butter are harmful to dogs (and cats).
2. Appropriate alternatives for dogs. 

Go to this article.

4.8 Other Fillers 

Examples of other fillers to avoid:

1. GMO sugar beets - should never be given to dogs under any circumstances.
   
2. Note that garden beets (table beets) should not be given to dogs experiencing yeast overgrowth.
   
3. Powdered cellulose.
4. Tapioca.
   

Learn more about harmful fillers in pet food:

• Go to this article.

 

4.9 Preservatives 

 

Preservatives are used in pet food products to hide the smell of rancid ingredients and to slow further rancidification. The preservatives used can be highly toxic and carcinogenic.

 

Harmful preservatives used in pet food products include those listed below. To learn more about each of these preservatives, click on the preservative you want to learn about.

1. BHA
2. BHT
3. Ethoxyquin
4. Propyl Gallate
5. TBHQ
6. Sodium Metabisulfite  

 

4.10 Food Additives  

Pet food products and pet supplements can contain multiple toxic, carcinogenic food additives that also cause and contribute to allergic response in dogs and cats.

Common additives include:

.1 Food Flavoring and Food Color

• Learn more in this article.

.2 Brewer's Yeast

• Learn more in this article.

.3 Menadione

Also known as Sodium Bisulfite, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite, or (K3), is a synthetic vitamin K derivative. 

• Learn more in this article.

 

.4 Sweeteners 

 

Examples include:

1. Refined molasses
2. Pasteurized honey (this is not the same as raw honey).
   
3. Artificial syrup
4. Sugar (derived from sugar cane, sugar beets, coconut, etc)
5. Artificial sweeteners 

 

5.0 The Elimination Diet

Learn about how to do an elimination diet for your dog and cat. 

 

An elimination diet can help you:

1. Identify and eliminate food items that your dog or cat is hypersensitive to (intolerant or allergic).
2. Create an appropriate diet for your individual dog or cat.

Learn about how to create an elimination diet for your dog or cat:

• Go to this article. 

6.0 Natural Treatments to Soothe Symptoms

 

In this section, natural support to help treat common food hypersensitivity, intolerance and allergy symptoms, such as:

1. Diarrhea
2. Ear Infections
3. Eye Irritation and Eye Infections
4. Anal Gland Issues, Paw and Skin Issues
   

6.1 Diarrhea

 

Learn about natural interventions to help treat diarrhea:

1. Symptoms and causes.
2. What to avoid.
   
3. Natural treatment - supportive foods and herbs.

Go to this article. 

 

 

6.2 Ear Infections

 

Ear infections are one of the most common symptoms of food hypersensitivities.

Learn more about:

1. Causes of ear infections.
2. Types of ear infections.
3. Natural treatment for ear infections.
   

Go to this article.

 

6.3 Eye Irritation and Eye Infections

 

Eye irritation and eye infections can occur due to food and environmental hypersensitivities.

 

Learn more about:

1. Causes of eye irritation and infections.
2. Types of eye infections.
3. Natural treatment for eye irritation and eye infections.
   

Go to this article.  

 

 

6.4 Anal Gland Issues, Paw and Skin Irritation and Infections

 

One of the most common causes of anal gland issues, paw and skin irritation and infections is food hypersensitivities.

 

Natural, topical treatments can help soothe discomfort, reduce inflammation and encourage healing.

 

The natural bath, rinse, soak and spray recipes below can help.

 

6.4.1 Herbal Bath, Rinse, Paw Soak, Spray Recipes

 

Select one of these herbal recipes:

1. Rooibos Tea and Lemon Anti-itch Rinse Recipe
2. Chamomile and Green Tea Soothing Rinse Recipe
3. Lemon Balm and Nettle Leaf Refreshing Healing Rinse Recipe 
4. Peppermint, Fennel and Rose Sensitive Skin Rinse Recipe
   
5. Floral Antibacterial, Soothing Rinse Recipe
6. Calendula, Antibacterial, Healing Rinse Recipe
7. Marjoram Antimicrobial, Analgesic, Cleansing Rinse Recipe

For the:

1. Health benefits.
2. Recipes.
   

Go to this article. 

6.4.2 Himalayan Pink Salt Soak Recipe

 

This soak can be used as a paw soak, or overall body soak.

For the:

1. Health benefits.
2. Recipe.
   

Go to this article.

 

6.4.3 More Natural Soak Recipes

 

For more natural soak recipes for your dog and cat:

• Go to this article.

 

6.4.4 Creams, Salves and Spray Recipes

 

 .1 Aloe Vera

 

For aloe vera:

1. Health benefits.
   
2. Instructions for use.

Go to this article. 

 

.2 Colloidal Silver

To learn about colloidal silver:

1. Health benefits.
2. Instructions for use.

Go to this this article.

.3 Coconut Oil

To learn about coconut oil:

1. Health benefits.
2. Instructions for use.

Go to this this article.

.4 Goldenseal

To learn about goldenseal:

1. Health benefits.
2. Instructions for use.

Go to this this article.

Holistic Diet, Nutrition, Wellness Services Tailored to Your Individual Dog and Cat

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For information about my holistic behavioral services, visit my holistic behavioral services page.

For dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds.

My behavioral services are available worldwide via video consultation.

🌎 USA | Canada | UK | Europe | Australia | New Zealand | Asia | South and Central America | Africa | UAE

📱FaceTime | Facebook | Skype | WhatsApp

To set-up your holistic behavioral session get in-touch via email, go to my contact me page.

 

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✓ None. 

✓ I don't sell food, supplements, or other products.

✓ I'm not aligned with any companies. 

 

Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld.