Food for Thought on Allergies

Food allergy is one of the most misunderstood topics in pet health. At Middle Brighton Vet we regularly see dogs and cats that have been on multiple elimination diets or specialty foods without improvement - because a food allergy was assumed when something else was actually going on.

Here is what the evidence says.

How common are food allergies really?

Food allergies are real but they are not the most common cause of skin or gastrointestinal problems in pets. Studies consistently show that environmental allergies (atopic dermatitis) are far more common than food allergies in dogs with recurrent skin issues. Food allergy accounts for roughly 10 to 20 percent of allergic skin disease cases in dogs - meaning that if your dog has itchy skin, there is a good chance the cause is environmental rather than dietary.

This matters because the investigation and treatment are very different. Changing food repeatedly without a proper diagnosis wastes time, money, and your pet's comfort.

What are the signs of a food allergy in pets?

Food allergies in dogs and cats typically cause:

• Itchy skin, particularly around the face, feet, ears, and groin
• Recurrent ear infections
• Gastrointestinal signs including vomiting, diarrhoea, and increased frequency of defaecation
• Skin infections that keep returning despite treatment

Importantly, food allergies do not cause runny eyes or sneezing - those are more likely to be environmental. And food allergies can develop to foods your pet has eaten without problems for years - a new allergy to an existing protein is entirely possible.

How is a food allergy properly diagnosed?

The gold standard for diagnosing a food allergy is a strict dietary elimination trial. This means feeding your pet a hydrolysed protein diet or a novel protein diet - one containing a protein source they have never eaten before - for a minimum of eight to twelve weeks, with absolutely no other food sources. That includes treats, table scraps, flavoured medications, and chews.

Blood tests and skin prick tests marketed for food allergy diagnosis in pets have not been shown to be reliable in veterinary research. We do not recommend them as a substitute for a proper elimination trial.

What if food is not the cause?

If a thorough elimination trial rules out food allergy, the most likely diagnosis is environmental atopic dermatitis - an allergy to pollens, dust mites, moulds, or other environmental triggers. This is a manageable condition with several effective treatment options including Cytopoint, Apoquel, and allergen-specific immunotherapy.

Getting the diagnosis right means getting the treatment right. A pet that has been incorrectly managed as food allergic for years can often be significantly more comfortable once the correct cause is identified and treated.

When to call us

If your pet has recurrent skin issues, ear infections, or gastrointestinal problems and you are not sure whether food is involved, book a consultation. We will take a full history, assess the pattern of symptoms, and help you work out the most efficient path to a diagnosis.

Call us on (03) 9592 9811 or book online at middlebrightonvet.com.au/book-online.

Related services at Middle Brighton Vet: Consultations and Health Checks | Nutrition and Diets