Health 26 September 2024

Food Allergies in Dogs: When Sneaky Snacking Gets Harmful

While rare in dogs, food allergies can be an easy-to-miss health condition that you're better off avoiding - and planning ahead for. Here's what to watch out for and how you can take an active role in your buddy's health.

You might’ve spent a small fortune on getting your dog the healthiest kibble or snacks. Which is where it gets doubly frustrating if your buddy’s suddenly itchy, dealing with skin trouble, or even losing their fur – all symptoms that could be a case of food allergies in dogs.

But what can cause a dog to develop a food allergy – and how do you deal with it? And even more importantly, how is it linked to any “sneaky” snacking your dog’s gotten up to?

Turns out, dog food allergies might not just be triggered by what you’re feeding them, but also treats your buddy gets from well-meaning strangers or even scavenging food they find when off-leash. (Or sneakily from the sidewalk!) So here’s how you can better manage and protect your dog’s health and well-being. (While figuring out where else around town they might be getting fed.)

How do food allergies develop in dogs?
- What foods can trigger allergies in dogs?
- Where is my dog running into these allergens in the first place?
Common symptoms of food allergies in dogs
- 💡 So imagine if you could catch on to the less obvious signs of a sickness or infection – much in advance?
Diagnosing & treating food allergies in dogs: What to expect at your vet
How you can manage your dog’s food allergies at home
Ready to track your buddy’s eating habits & keep them allergy-free?
- Which your dog might run into…
- And which might turn up as…
Know everywhere your dog goes

How do food allergies develop in dogs?

Much like in humans, food allergies in dogs may develop when their immune system:

Mistakes a certain protein or ingredient as “dangerous”¹
Triggers an allergic reaction…
….which could range from mild to life-threatening, depending on the severity.

Dogs can develop allergies to foods they’ve been eating their entire lives. It usually takes around 2-3 months for them to become allergic to a food, though it can take longer.

Now on the bright side, food allergies are relatively rare in dogs. But you’re still better off staying informed and knowing what signs to look out for.

Food allergies can develop at any age and any time.²
There may be a genetic component to developing dog food allergies. Retrievers, Terriers, and Spaniels may have an increased risk of these.
In fact, around a third of dogs with food allergies develop them before they reach 1 year of age.
However, most are only diagnosed around 5 years!

⚠️ Which means, sadly, that many cases of food allergies in dogs may often go undiagnosed. So it might actually be way more common than we think.³

What foods can trigger allergies in dogs?

Here are the main culprits your dog might be allergic to:

A woman offering a plate of sausage to her dog

A dog sniffing a pail of milk by a woman

Now you might be extra vigilant about what you’re feeding your dog. So if any of these ingredients come as a surprise, you might be wondering…

Where is my dog running into these allergens in the first place?

At this point, you might be wondering: who’s been feeding my dog butter? Or fish, or cheese, or for crying out loud…yogurt?!

Now if you’re the only person feeding your dog, make sure to check the labels and packaging before serving them anything. Turns out, the dog food (or treats) you’re giving them might just contain one or more of these very proteins or ingredients. (Which your buddy might have developed an allergic reaction to.)

A woman feeding her dog from a commercial dog food packet

🕵️‍♀️ If nothing looks suspicious here, it’s time to do a little detective work.

Specifically, is your dog able to access any food you keep stored at home? Like, for example, from your kitchen counters or cabinets or pantries?

You’ll find it helpful to keep your buddy well away from these spots, since a whole bunch of human foods can be toxic to dogs!

A dog sniffing around inside an open fridge

(It might also be a good time to sit down with your housemates, friends, or relatives – whoever else you’re living with – and ask them if someone’s been feeding your dog in secret. Whether that’s palming off some unwanted veggies or just some extra treats.)

🐶 Finally, take a close look at your buddy’s outdoor habits.

Unfortunately, even a well-intentioned snack that a friendly stranger hands to your dog could contain an allergen your dog’s body might not respond well to. (Like a wheat biscuit or a buttery treat.)

Or if your buddy is in the habit of:

Begging for food from your friends, relatives, housemates, or even strangers,
Snarfing down any little morsel they see from the sidewalk,
Getting a few extra treats at your neighbors’,
Sneaking bites, licks, and tastes from outdoor grills or picnic tables,
Scavenging for food outdoors…

⚠️ …all of this could end up triggering allergy symptoms that may not appear until hours or even days later.

That’s where monitoring your buddy’s outdoor behavior can go a long way. (Especially if they’re used to spending time outdoors by themselves.)

Which could look like you hovering over them like a hawk, monitoring every morsel they eat 24/7…

💡 Or experience the peace of mind from knowing everywhere your dog goes – with a GPS tracker strapped to their collar.

A woman hugging her dog who is wearing a Tractive GPS on their collar

Loved by pet parents around the world, your trusty Tractive GPS helps you track your dog:

In real-time,
Over an unlimited range,
Across a Heat Map of spots they like to hang out in the most,
And even while on vacation (or 175 countries on a Premium subscription)

All this, with just a glance at your phone.

Discover Tractive GPS

Common symptoms of food allergies in dogs

Now not all dogs might show the same symptoms – and not all these symptoms might even turn up right away.

In fact, identifying the specific allergen that’s triggering these symptoms can be a long, frustrating process. Since they could be caused by anything from the dust in your environment, to a flea infestation, or even other, serious health conditions.

Which can make it difficult to figure out why your dog is suddenly:

Itching excessively, especially around their feet, ears, groin, and face
Experiencing skin problems, like rashes, redness (even around the feet), acne, and even scabbing
Smelling weird, which might signal a yeast infection
Shaking their heads constantly, which could signal an ear infection
Experiencing diarrhea – or the opposite, straining to pass stools
Losing their hair – and it isn’t related to any seasonal shedding
Vomiting,
Flatulent,
Hyperactive,
More lethargic than usual – or just more reluctant around walks or playtime
More irritable, or even aggressive than normal

A brown dog itching itself with its hind leg

Now these symptoms aren’t necessarily only due to food allergies. Rather, they can overlap with other health conditions as well.

What’s important is that these “obvious” symptoms might signal that your buddy’s system is already fighting an infection and trying to manage any pain and discomfort.

💡 So imagine if you could catch on to the less obvious signs of a sickness or infection – much in advance?

It’s why vets also recommend keeping track of changes in your dog’s behavior – like their activity.

Not all food allergies in dogs turn up with symptoms as extreme as itching, vomiting, or diarrhea. In fact, your buddy might not show any immediate signs of distress. Rather, they might seem more withdrawn, refuse to play with you, or even spend more time sleeping.

But unless you’re monitoring your dog 24/7, it’s easy to miss the subtle signs they’re trying to tough out the pain or discomfort of stomach trouble or itching or any other symptoms.

Which is where it helps to keep an eye out for changes in your dog’s behavior – like their activity. I.e., if they seem more reluctant for your evening walk. Or doesn’t come running at the sound of their favorite toy.

“Keep track of your dog’s energy levels, especially how long they are able to walk.
If you notice significant declines, it could be a sign of pain, heart disease, or other illness.”
– VCA Animal Hospitals⁴

🐶 And if you’ve invested in a Tractive device, you’re in luck.

With its built-in motion detector, your trusty Tractive GPS doubles as an Activity Tracker for dogs. Monitoring your dog’s every move throughout the day as “active minutes.”

Which, with time, can help you figure out:

How active your dog is on the regular – meaning, when they’re healthy
If your dog’s active minutes have spiked, which might signal the hyperactivity that’s a symptom of food allergies.
If your dog’s active minutes have dipped, which might signal the lethargy linked to food allergies.

All of which can give you actionable data you can share with your vet. (And potentially save your buddy’s life while at it.)

Discover Activity Tracking

Diagnosing & treating food allergies in dogs: What to expect at your vet

Diagnosing food allergies in dogs can be a puzzle, since there might be a whole bunch of reasons causing your dog’s symptoms. Which is why your vet might begin by ruling out any other causes, including flea allergies, bug bites, mange – or other causes of skin infections, including skin cancer or even hypothyroidism.

Come prepared to answer questions including:

When your dog’s symptoms began – and how long they’ve been persisting,
Whether these symptoms worsen around meals,
Whether your dog’s been diagnosed with allergies before (plus their medical history)
What your dog is currently eating – including besides dog food. Meaning treats, table scraps, the whole deal.
Whether you’ve changed your dog’s diet recently,
Whether people besides you – like your neighbors or even strangers – give your dog treats or food
If your dog has access to any areas they could find random food – or if they visited any new places, like a boarding facility, where they might’ve been fed something different than usual

🍎 How do elimination diets work?

Your vet might prescribe you an 8-12 week elimination diet to check whether a specific protein or ingredient is triggering your dog’s symptoms.

This usually includes a limited-ingredient diet, which includes new proteins and foods your dog might not have eaten before.
During these weeks, be extra careful to avoid feeding your dog any other food, treats, or table scraps.
If your dog’s symptoms improve, they could’ve been triggered by a food allergy.

After that, your vet might recommend you slowly reintroduce any suspected allergens one by one – and monitor your buddy’s reaction. This can help them figure out what might be causing the allergies in the first place.

How you can manage your dog’s food allergies at home

If your vet diagnoses your dog with a food allergy, it’s important to take steps to prevent it. Here’s how you can manage it at home:

Stick to your vet-prescribed diet

Once you’ve figured out if your dog’s allergies are linked to beef or grain or dairy, make sure to steer clear of these ingredients completely. Since you’re in control of their meals, make sure to follow your vet’s instructions to the T to avoid a relapse.

Check the packaging of any commercial dog food labels for grains like corn, pork, or wheat as part of their ingredient list. If you notice any offending ingredients, it’s better to avoid buying these.
Avoid feeding your dog any flavored substances, including dental chews or toothpaste – but also any medicines, vitamins, or supplements that include artificial flavors. All of these can potentially trigger your dog’s symptoms, especially if they’re still on an elimination diet.
Feed your dog in a separate area from any of your other pets, so you can avoid them accidentally “sharing” food or water bowls.

white and brown dog laying on the floor next to a full dog food bowl

In some cases, your vet might recommend a specific prescription diet that contains proteins broken down into smaller parts. (Or “hydrolyzed.”) So it’s less likely your dog’s body will react negatively to them.

They might also recommend special probiotics or supplements to help your buddy deal with any stomach trouble and immune function.

LIkewise, always discuss with your vet before you buy a can of what’s branded as “hypoallergenic” dog food. Each dog has different allergies, so it’s not possible for any diet to be 100% hypoallergenic – i.e., unlikely to trigger allergic reactions. Your vet can best advise you what foods to stick to as your buddy recovers.

Follow any medication instructions to the T

Your vet might also prescribe you specific medication to deal with your dog’s other symptoms. Which might include:

Anti-histamines, to help with the itching.
Anti-inflammatory medication, to help with any gastrointestinal symptoms.
Corticosteroids, which can help with skin infections, redness, and itching.
Medicated shampoos to help soothe the skin.
Antibiotics, in case of any other infection.

In all cases, make sure to follow the full course of medication – even if your dog seems to be getting better.

⚠️ Likewise, avoid giving your dog any medicine designed for humans – as these might contain ingredients toxic to dogs.

Monitor every morsel that goes into your dog’s mouth

If your dog is on a bit of a…well, “see food” diet (meaning they see food and they eat it) – now’s the time to be extra careful. Especially if your buddy’s prone to sneaking in some snacks from random places, which can expose them to allergens of all kinds.

So watch out for food in uncontrolled environments, like:

Any litter on the sidewalk on your daily walks together,
Some extra treats from another, unwitting dog parent at the dog park,
Your own backyard, where your buddy might have dug a hole to hide their snack stash,
The trash, both indoors and outdoors,
Or even while you have guests at home – especially relatives who are more generous with the treats than you are!

⚠️ Dogs are natural scavengers – and sadly, they might not be able to tell the difference between something that could trigger an allergic reaction and something that just smells and tastes “yummy.”

And while others most likely don’t mean any harm if they do offer your buddy a biscuit or treat, it could possibly contain wheat or soy – which could trigger an allergy.

All of which can make it difficult to figure out exactly WHERE your buddy came across the allergens in the first place – which you want to avoid at all costs as they get better.

That’s why you’ll also find it helpful to…

Figure out where your dog’s spending most of their time

If your dog’s a 100% indoor dog, it might be the food they’re sneaking in from your kitchen – or house guests – that might be a possible culprit.

But if your buddy spends any amount of time outdoors, it’s not a bad idea to keep track of exactly where. (So you’re that much better informed whether they’re hanging out in any “allergy-prone” zones.)

Which – besides food – could expose your buddy’s risk to allergens from:

Your own backyard, where pollen from trees and flowers could trigger some major sniffling and sneezing.
Your neighbors’ farmlands or gardens, where your dog could end up licking the harmful chemicals found in fertilizer, pesticide, or other gardening items, like snail bait. Your well-meaning neighbor might just end up offering your buddy a treat they’re allergic to, including cheese, peanut butter, or even processed snacks!
Any nearby parks or picnic areas, where your buddy might find some discarded leftovers or food scraps, including bread, chips, or processed meat. Or they could rummage through a dumpster and run into something potentially toxic.
Any woodland near your property, where runners or hikers might have left behind some trail mix – which, if it contains chocolate, could also be dangerous if your dog gets a taste of it.

Now if this seems tedious or overwhelming to keep track of – we do understand. After all, there’s so much out there that could potentially endanger your poor buddy’s health and wellbeing.

So imagine being able to scout out any “allergy-prone” zones in your neighborhood – with just a glance at your phone?

💡 Aka, just check your dog’s Heat Map & Location History.

Which can help you figure out your dog’s favorite hiding, hunting, or hangout spots – and where they might be most likely to sniff out some forbidden “snacks.”

🐶 With this knowledge, you’re now better informed and better prepared to identify any potential sources of allergy-inducing foods in your neighborhood.

So you can:

Avoid these spots altogether,
Warn other pet parents,
and take a more active role in your buddy’s health and wellbeing for the future.

Discover Heat Map Tracking

Ready to track your buddy’s eating habits & keep them allergy-free?

Managing food allergies in dogs is a lifelong commitment. (Especially when sneaky snacks come into play!) Once you figure out if your dog’s allergic to a particular food, you’ll have to ensure it stays out of their feeding bowls – for good.

But with the right knowledge, a bit of detective work, and the support of your vet – you can help minimize any food-related risks and keep your buddy healthy for the long run.

So watch out for these main culprits that tend to underlie most dog food allergies:

Animal proteins, including beef, chicken, eggs, lamb, pork, and fish
Dairy, including milk, butter, yogurt, and cheese
Grains, including wheat, corn, soy, and rice

Which your dog might run into…

Dry pet food in a bowl next to ingredients on a wooden board

And which might turn up as…

The most common symptoms of food allergies in dogs, which include:

small white/beige itchy dog scratching under chin with hind paw on ground outside

A vet checking a dog's ears for infection

Your vet might also recommend an elimination diet trial to figure out if a specific food is triggering your buddy’s symptoms. (After ruling out other causes, including an infection, pest infestation, or just dust in your environment.)

⚠️ Now given all these rather alarming symptoms, you’re always better off:

Catching on the warning signs early, like a change in your dog’s behavior. Not all dogs might seem “sick” right off the bat – but might withdraw, seem less active than usual, or just might not seem themselves.
And doing a little snooping around of your own to figure out WHERE your dog’s been running into any allergens in your environment.

A dog looking up at sausages on a wooden cutting board

💡 Both of which have never been easier to do, if you’ve invested in a Tractive device.

With one strapped to your buddy’s collar, you can now easily keep tabs on:

Where your dog’s been spending most of their time – where someone could be feeding them something off-limits for dogs or just coming in contact with any harmful chemicals.

Just switch to “LIVE” tracking on your Tractive mobile app – and follow your buddy’s every step, as they make their every step.

Tractive GPS app feature screenshot LIVE Tracking

Next, you can catch on to a weird spike or a drop in your dog’s everyday activity – with Activity Tracking.

tractive gps activity monitoring for dogs app screen

Where a sudden increase in your dog’s “active minutes” could signal the hyperactivity linked to food allergies.

Or a gradual drop could signal the lethargy or inactivity your dog might otherwise be struggling with, as they try and tough out the pain and discomfort of their symptoms.

👩‍⚕️ Both of which you can catch on to before your dog’s health takes a turn for the worse – and get them to a vet early on.

💕 All this in one device – built with love for dogs and for your peace of mind as a dog parent.

packaging of the Tractive GPS DOG tracker

Know everywhere your dog goes

Follow every step in real-time with unlimited range. Get alerts if they wander too far. Keep them happy & healthy with Wellness Monitoring. And let others – like walkers or sitters – keep an eye on your dog too.