The prevalence of pet food allergies and development of novel protein sources

The emergence of food allergies and sensitivities in dogs and cats remains a concern for many pet owners, with ingredients such as chicken, beef, dairy, wheat and fish associated with food allergies.

In an Overview of Food Allergy published in the Merck Veterinary Manual, “food allergy is ~10% as common as atopic dermatitis in dogs and perhaps as common as atopic dermatitis in cats.” The article also reports that, “the age of onset is variable, from 2 months to 14 years old. One report indicated that most food allergies begin at <12 months of age. In adult-onset food allergy, most dogs have been fed the offending allergen for >2 years.”

According to the Clinical Nutrition Team at Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University, food allergies can result in itchy skin, ear and skin infections, vomiting or diarrhea, while some pets will experience both skin and gastrointestinal symptoms. But allergies aren’t the only reason for stomach upset. Other causes of gastrointestinal stress can include:

• Parasites
• Viruses
• Bacteria
• Pancreatitis
• Food intolerances
• And, as owners of table sharks know, eating things they shouldn’t

The Cornell Feline Health Center reports that food allergies overall are the third most common type of feline allergy. While itchy, irritating skin problems are the most common signs of this allergy, an estimated 10 percent to 15 percent of affected cats also exhibit gastrointestinal signs, such as vomiting and diarrhea.

How do you diagnose food allergies in dogs and cats?

Diagnosing food allergies in dogs and cats often comes down to conducting an elimination diet trial.

1. Choose the diet.

Choose a diet consisting of proteins the patient has not been previously exposed. Rabbit, kangaroo or some types of fish have historically been a first choice for suspected allergies. These sources, however, have become more common in many over-the-counter formulas. Newer protein options, such as alligator, now are available.

2. Start the diet trial and treat infections.

Once started on the diet elimination trial, the patient should not receive any other foods, treats or supplements during this time.

3. Follow up in one week.

Make sure to follow up with the pet owner to ensure they remain compliant with the plan.

4. Check progress after eight weeks.

If the trial was performed correctly, the dog or cat should show improvement. If improvement is not shown but the trial was performed correctly, then food is most likely not the culprit.

Novel proteins shown to help manage pets with adverse food reactions

Research shows that a novel, intact protein source, to which patients have not been previously exposed, offers an effective approach to managing dietary hypersensitivities in dogs and cats. Blue Natural Veterinary Diet recently released a clinical report citing alligator has been shown to be highly digestible, palatable, and results in well-formed, ideal stool quality while also reducing adverse food reactions.

Covetrus carries a comprehensive selection of foods and dietary supplements from leading manufacturers like Blue Buffalo. Contact your representative at 855.724.3461.

Sources:

https://www.mspca.org/angell_services/the-itchy-pet-food-allergies-in-dogs-and-cats/

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/integumentary-system/food-allergy/overview-of-food-allergy

http://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2017/01/food-allergies/

https://www2.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/food-allergies

http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/diagnosing-food-allergies-dogs-and-cats-bring-your-case-trial

Blue Buffalo Clinical Report, Volume 6, 2018