Food allergies correlate to about 10-20% of the skin allergies in pets, which is third most common behind flea allergies and environmental (or airborne) allergies. The most common causes of dietary sensitivity in dogs and cats include beef and dairy products, other meat proteins such as chicken and eggs, lactose and gluten though all dietary protein can potentially be allergenic to pets. A review from 1998 of 8 different studies indicates that beef, dairy, and wheat accounted for 66% of the food allergies in dogs while chicken, lamb, eggs, and soy account for 25%.

The mode of action for food allergies occurs at the brush border (inner lining) of the intestine. Most protein is broken down to amino acids, which the animal can absorb. However, a small amount of intact protein can be absorbed and over time this can be enough to elicit an allergic response. Antigens are released based on this allergic response and some of these antigens are able to bypass the protection provided by the immune system. When this occurs, the animal will present clinical signs of allergies such as pruritus (common skin problem often noticed by itching) and possibly gastrointestinal disorders.

To determine a true food allergy, the pet must be removed from the offending diet and fed a hypoallergenic diet. Once allergic symptoms clear up, the offending diet should be fed again to see if clinical signs reappear. Clinical signs most commonly include pruritus and gastrointestinal issues. In reality these types of tests are hard to complete because it takes a long time (can last up to 12 weeks) and owners typically are unwilling to re-introduce the possible offending diet back to their pets. There are intradermal tests and blood tests that can be done but these may not be as reliable.

Treatment of true food allergies requires the pet to be fed a diet that does not have the allergen. If the pet is allergic to wheat then wheat should not be in the diet. There is no universal hypoallergenic diet but several types have been successful. They are successful because they have not been traditionally fed in commercial pet diets. The most common are rabbit, lamb, venison, or various fish species and are normally fed with rice or potatoes as a source of carbohydrates. However, an allergy could develop with these ingredients also. More recently a new option has become available with feeding proteins that have been enzymatically digested so the protein is not large enough (lower than 10,000 Da) to elicit a response.

Research has not shown a sex differentiation for food allergy in dogs or cats. Research on breed effects have not always agreed but here are some breeds that may be more susceptible to food allergies. These breeds include Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, Dalmation, West-Highland White Terrier, Collie, Chinese Shar Pei, Llasa Apsa, Cocker Spaniel, Springer Spaniel, Miniature Schnauzer, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Dachshund and the Boxer. Food allergies can occur at any age but up to 33% are seen in dogs less that 1-year of age.

In summary, food allergies are the third most common allergy found in pets and can lead to skin and gastrointestinal disorders. It is imperative for the owner to conduct
the proper testing to determine if a true food allergy exists and then remove the offending ingredient from your pets diet. Loyall Pet Food has a product to meet the need of pets with different food issues. Loyall Lamb Meal and Rice is a great product to improve the health of pets with skin problems.

Reference:
Carlotti, D.N., I. Remy, and C. Prost. 1990. Food allergy in dogs and cats: A review and
report of 43 cases. Vet. Derm. 1:55-62.

Hall, E. J. 1994. Gastrointestinal aspects of food allergy: a review. J. Sm. Anim. Pract. 34:175-179.

Jeffers, J. G., E. K. Meyer, and E. J. Sosis. 1996. Responses of dogs with food allergies to single-ingredient dietary provocation. J. Amer. Vet. Med. Assoc. 209:608-611.

Paterson, S. 1995. Food hypersensitivity in 20 dogs with skin and gastrointestinal signs. J. Sm. Anim. Pract. 36:529-534.

Rosser, E. J. 1993. Diadnosis of food allergy in dogs. J. Amer. Vet. Med. Assoc. 203:259-262.

Vester, B. M. and G. C. Fahey, Jr. 2007. The importance of nutrition in coat quality and skin health of dogs and cats.

Watson, T.D.G. 1998. Diet and skin disease in dogs and cats. J. Nutr. 128:2783S-2789S.

White, S. 2001. Update on food allergy in the dog and cat. World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress.

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As dogs and cats continue to live longer lives, obesity is also rising. The latest estimates indicated that ~50% of all cats and dogs are overweight and ~10% of dogs and 20% of cats are obese. Overweight pets can lead to health issues such as, diabetes, joint problems, heart health problems, heat intolerance, decreased stamina and activity, and to name a few. If you are unsure of your pet’s ideal weight, consult a veterinarian for advice. If your pet is overweight, it is recommended to feed a high quality low calorie diet to achieve an ideal weight. The best remedy for obesity is something we all have heard before, reduce calorie intake and increase exercise.

One of the biggest benefits you can give you pet is to feed a high quality pet food designed for older pets. The nutrients your pet need change over time, which means that the pet food should also change. Here are a few key items to look for in a quality Senior Pet Food.
High quality animal protein to provide the proper digestible amino acids (such as lysine, methionine, and threonine) needed for maintenance of muscle mass

• Lower fat concentration for reduced calorie intake. Keep in mind that dogs do still require fatty acids so fat contents around 10% are ideal.
• Antioxidants such as vitamin E to rid the body of harmful free radicals
• Proper level and type of fiber to support digestion
• Fortified with Vitamins and minerals

We all need some advice every now and then on how to best care for our loved ones and it is no different with our pets. Here are some lifestyle tips that can help you and your friend:

• Provide frequent exercise – Exercise (as little as twice daily for 10-15 minutes) will help keep the weight off and will increase the bond between you and your pet.
• Reduce stress – reduce sudden changes in food and in lifestyle that may increase the risk for stress in you pet.
• Establish a frequent check-up with your Veterinarian – This gives your Veterinarian a chance to provide regular physical exams including dental exams. Life expectancy can go a long way with early detection and preventative care.

Our pets are an important part of our lives and as they age, it is important to provide the needed care and management to ensure a productive and fulfilled life. Proper nutrition and management are vital to giving your friend happiness well into his or her senior years. So, establish regular checkups with your Veterinarian and feed a nutritious product like Loyall Senior that provides the nutrients your friend needs to stay active and healthy.

SportingDog Adventures is truly a show for the Dogs!  Throughout our seasons we’ll be taking you on an outdoor journey with some very talented, high octane K-9 athletes. Whether it’s in the field hunting, getting training tips from some of the top trainers or addressing the “Do’s & Don’ts” of picking out a puppy, we’ll be bringing you front stage to the action.

Our family oriented TV show will include a Kids Corner which will encourage parents in getting our future generations involved and excited about the outdoors. There will also be occasional nutritional segments dealing with the care and health of dogs, training segments for all different sporting dog breeds and an occasional cooking segment teaching you how to care and prepare wild game.

Lastly, the hunting segments, will focus on wing shooting and really seeing the dogs in action. We have some amazing K-9 athletes that will truly be the stars of the show. We’ll be bringing you everything from “training hunts” to teach you how to get your dogs in shape for the hunting season to some of the best upland and waterfowl hunting the USA has to offer. But even though our focus is on wing shooting and the dogs, don’t be surprised to see a big game hunt in the mix. Even the dogs deserve a break now and then.

Our show will air on The Sportsman Channel July 2012-December 24, 2012.  The show times will be Wednesdays at 3:00 am, Thursdays at 7:00 pm, and Saturdays at 5:30 pm (EST)

Check us out on Facebook as well!  Each week there will be a product contest for viewers that can find the listed topics during the episode!  The content needed to win the contest will be on the SportingDog Adventures Facebook page…..Don’t miss out!!

Looking for a lab puppy? Jeff Fuller, the host of SportingDog Adventures, started breeding Labrador Retriever puppies in 1998. Check out his kennel, Soggy Acres Retrievers, at www.soggyacres.com