What is a Food allergy

Dogs and cats can develop food allergies just like people.  They, unlike people, cannot share crucial information for accurate diagnosis. Therefore, with the help of a veterinarian, pet owners have to systematically rule out all other health issues before settling on a diagnosis of food allergy. The tendency to develop allergies is also genetically determined. Dogs with other allergies like inhalant allergies or atopy may be at increased risk for developing a food allergy.Food allergy is an immune response which causes itching sensations due to the consumption of a particular allergen in a diet.  In plain speak, this means if your pet eats something they are allergic to, they will itch.   This adverse reaction is believed to be associated with the Type I immune response.  Get ready for some big words and I’ll try to explain it.

Upon first exposure to the allergen, the body initiates an immune response to the allergen by producing immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. There are usually no significant external reactions.  However, when the same allergen is re-ingested, the IgE antibodies bind to the allergen and initiate an inflammatory reaction.   Clinical signs in dogs are variable, non-seasonal and may occur at any age.  In other words, your pet can develop food allergies at any time in their life with no rhyme or reason.    A primary eruption or open sore may be evident although pruritus (I’ve linked to the definition of this word which I’m pretty sure I couldn’t pronounce if I had to say it) especially of the face, ears and belly is the most obvious sign of a food allergy. Gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting or diarrhea also occur occasionally. As for cats, clinical signs are non-seasonal pruritus (There’s that word again.  Aren’t you glad you now know what it means?) usually affecting its head and neck.

Although this shows a human allergy to ragweed, the process is still the same with your animal and a food allergy.

Most importantly, do not confuse food allergies with food intolerances. Food intolerances do not cause allergic reactions such as itching and skin problems. Instead, they can result in diarrhea or vomiting, where it is the same kind of reaction that occurs when we have eaten spicy or greasy foods which are not agreeable with us. On the contrary, canine and feline food allergies are true allergies, with symptoms such as hot spots and itchy skin.

Next up we’ll dig a little deeper into food allergy.  Also, I may need to use pruritus some more…just because I can.  Thanks for reading!

Itchy and Scratchy

Now that we covered some of the basics about skin, let’s talk about itching and scratching a bit.

There are several reasons why dogs and cats itch and scratch. They can be classified into four main categories. ‘Generalized itching’ occurs when there is regular scratching but the animal does not show visible signs of a problem and does not scratch any one particular area. ‘Persistent itching’ occurs when there is persistent scratching of a particular spot while showing visible signs of minor problems. There can also be the issue of ‘Chronic localized itching’, where the area will be warm to the touch, painful to your pet and may emit pus.  These sores are known as hot spots. Hair will usually fall from the infected area.  The affected areas are often irritated and painful to your pet, which leads to biting and scratching of the infected area.  This can often cause the infection to spread, leading to more hot spots and more discomfort for your pet.  The last and most severe case of itching in animals is ‘Chronic/Severe itching’ where the itching is usually caused by microscopic mites or fungal infection. The itch is very intense and outbreaks often occur around the ears, elbows and face. The skin will be crusty, scab-like, thick and dark and requires immediate veterinary attention.

How is it that some animals spend hours romping through fields, digging holes and rolling in the grasses and are free from skin problems yet  others, kept indoors and fed an excellent diet, may have severe skin disorders. There are countless of possibilities out there so which is the best solution? Well, the type of pet foods which you have been feeding could actually play a part in the contribution of certain skin disorders and are usually underestimated by many pet owners.  From ingredient quality to choice of ingredients, what is in our your pet’s food can have a significant impact on their skin and coat.  One of the best things you can do for your furry friend is to get educated on what’s in their food.  We’ll be talking later about food allergies, elimination diets, omega fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid.  Oooh, we’re all going to be so smart when we’re done with this series!  Or at the very least, we’ll be better educated about what’s in our pet’s food and how it affects their skin and coat.

Hope you are all keeping warm and dry and giving your animals lots of love and snuggles.