Food allergy is one of the most common forms of allergy in dogs and cats. Unlike environmental allergies, food allergies are non-seasonal and can affect your pet any time of the year. The term “Ear and Rear Disease” describes common signs of food allergy, including otitis externa (inflammation of the external ear canal) and anal sacs impaction.

Recognizing the Signs of Food Allergy

The signs of otitis externa include head shaking, scratching the ears, and a bad odor coming from the ears. Anal sacs impaction often leads to scooting behavior, where your pet might drag their bum on the floor. They might also lick the anal area for extended periods, and defecation might become more difficult due to discomfort.

Other common signs of food allergy in pets include:

  • Softer than normal stool or fecal material
  • Pruritus (itching and scratching)
  • Licking of the body and skin

Food allergies mostly affect pets older than one year.

Diagnosing Food Allergies in Pets

The most accurate way to diagnose a food allergy is through a food trial. This method requires complete restriction of suspected food elements for at least 1.5 to 2 months to see improvements. However, many pet owners find it challenging to control their pet’s diet strictly. Factors such as children leaving food around or pets having access to restricted items can complicate this process.

Case Study: Unexpected Food Allergy in a Dog

I had a client who was feeding their dog only a vegetable diet. The dog exhibited all the signs of a food allergy, but the owner was skeptical. After months of persistence, the owner agreed to a food allergy test. The results were surprising: the dog was allergic to many vegetables and beans but not to any kind of meat. This case illustrates that even vegetables contain proteins that can cause allergies.

Preventing and Treating Food Allergies

Prevention and treatment of food allergies involve avoiding the allergenic items in your pet’s diet. If the ear canal inflammation or scratching has damaged the skin, medications, including antibiotics, might be necessary before treating the allergy.

Most pet owners view their pets as family members and want the best for them. It’s important to remember that introducing various diets to your pet can increase the risk of food allergies, making it harder to detect and manage them.

Good Luck,

Dr.Amir Khosravani