What is hypoallergenic dog food? Find out all the info in our complete guide.

Dogs are generally good eaters, aren’t they? There are few four-legged friends who leave their food bowl untouched when mealtime comes around. But not every dog takes to every type of nutrition equally well. Some dogs suffer from sensitive stomachs or frequently experience itching and skin irritations. Do you have a dog like that? Then your beloved dog may be suffering from a food allergy, in which case hypoallergenic dog food could be a good solution. Here you can find out everything about allergies and read more about the typical characteristics that make dog food hypoallergenic. If you’d like more information on the criteria for selecting the best dog food on the market , you’ll find it in our separate blog post. DISCOVER MORE DISCOVER MORE

What is a food allergy in dogs and what are the symptoms?

Can’t your dog stop licking its paws or scratching its ears? Then your four-legged friend may well be suffering from a food allergy. A food allergy in dogs means that dogs develop allergic symptoms in response to eating certain proteins found in their nutrition. The most common symptoms are itching, skin problems and diarrhoea or vomiting. As a dog owner, it is important to recognise these symptoms in good time so that you can take the right action. The following symptoms occur with a food allergy in dogs:

• Severe itching and excessive scratching
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Reduced appetite leading to weight loss
• Skin problems/inflammation
• Hair loss
• Inflammation between the legs
• Low energy

These symptoms result in frequent licking, scratching or biting of the skin and legs, which can eventually lead to wounds or bald patches. These can then easily become infected by bacteria, which can significantly worsen the problem. In principle, the symptoms can occur anywhere on the body, but there are specific areas where they appear most frequently: the legs, armpits, groin, anus, torso and ears.

What causes food allergies in dogs?

A food allergy is an abnormal reaction of the immune system to certain nutrients in the nutrition. These are called allergens. Allergens are proteins that are often common basic ingredients in dog food, such as chicken, beef or lamb. They are absorbed into the intestinal wall during digestion and then come into contact with the immune system. Once in contact with the immune system, they trigger the production of antibodies that provoke a specific reaction in the body. At that point, substances are released that cause reactions such as itching and stomach problems. The abnormal reaction to the nutrients may be immunological or non-immunological. In the case of an immunological reaction, we refer to a food allergy, and in the case of a non-immunological reaction, we refer to a food intolerance.

What are the most common allergens in dog food?

Various scientists have conducted research in recent years into the allergens to which most dogs show a hypersensitive reaction. The table below summarises various studies carried out over the past 30 years. The conclusions from most studies all point in the same direction: animal proteins (>75% of all cases) and wheat (15%) are the nutrients that most frequently cause an allergic reaction in dogs. Beef, chicken, dairy products and eggs are the main culprits for animals with allergies. People also often point to ‘grains’ as the cause of allergic reactions in dogs. However, this conclusion is not entirely correct. It is highly recommended to specifically avoid wheat in the diet, as scientific research shows. Other grains (such as rice or oats) are usually not the cause of an allergic reaction and can therefore be perfectly included in hypoallergenic dog food. You should also be aware that your dog may react to several allergens at the same time (this is actually quite common). It is therefore possible that your dog is allergic to beef, chicken and wheat at the same time, for example. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4710035/table/Tab1/?report=objectonly

What characterises the best hypoallergenic dog food and how exactly does it work?

In summary, hypoallergenic dog food is a formula suitable for dogs with an intolerance to certain nutrients. The term ‘hypoallergenic’ refers to a diet that contains very few allergens and to which fewer than 2% of all pets show a hypersensitive reaction. There are two types of hypoallergenic dog food:

• Hypoallergenic dog nutrition consisting of a single protein source: this type of nutrition makes no use whatsoever of ingredients that contain common allergens such as chicken, beef, lamb or dairy products. These are ingredients where the risk of an allergic reaction is less than 2%. Examples of such protein sources include insect proteins or plant-based ingredients. In addition, rarer meat types such as kangaroo or game meat can also offer an alternative. This type of nutrition is, incidentally, complete and also perfectly suitable for dogs that do not show any allergic symptoms.

• Hypoallergenic dog food consisting of hydrolysed proteins: this sounds complicated, but it simply means that proteins are broken down into very small pieces by certain enzymes. As a result, your dog’s immune system will no longer recognise them as allergens. The risk of allergic reactions in dogs will be drastically reduced with this type of nutrition. It is important to note, however, that the size into which the proteins are broken down is a key factor in determining whether an allergic reaction is triggered. The smaller the proteins, the better. As this is not always clearly stated on the packaging, it is a safer option to choose hypoallergenic pet food formulated with a single protein source.

The snacks and kibble from Imby Pet Food are all formulated to make maximum use of a single animal protein source. Very few pets show an allergic reaction to our recipes, as the allergens most commonly found in dogs (beef, dairy products, chicken, wheat, lamb) are not present in our meals. It is important to note, however, that even the best hypoallergenic dog food cannot offer a 100% guarantee that all allergic conditions will disappear. Every dog is different and will react differently to various protein sources. FIND OUT MORE

Is Imby dog food hypoallergenic and does it help prevent allergies?

Imby Pet Food’s first recipe is an anti-allergy dog food based on a single animal protein: insect protein . This recipe is also enriched with nutritious ingredients such as sweet potato, broccoli, blueberries, spinach and other superfoods. There is nutrition available for every age group and dog breed. As less than 2% of all dogs show an allergic reaction to insect protein, this is a very good alternative for pets looking for hypoallergenic dog food. Furthermore, insect powder is three times richer in protein than fresh chicken breast, making it a very healthy source of nutrition. The food is complete and does not need to be supplemented with other nutritional supplements. It is suitable for dogs of all breeds, including those without allergies. The second recipe from Imby Pet Food is allergen-free dog food based on plant-based proteins . This nutrition is completely free from animal ingredients, wheat and barley and therefore also fits perfectly into the category of hypoallergenic dog food. Over the past centuries, dogs have evolved into omnivores and can cope perfectly well with a plant-based diet. Imby’s nutrition is made from sweet potato, pumpkin, blueberries, cranberries, spinach, olive oil and other plant-based ingredients. It carries a low risk of an allergic reaction and is an ideal solution for dogs whose owners prioritise animal welfare and climate change. The risk of symptoms linked to a food allergy is particularly low with plant-based dog food. However, it can never be completely ruled out, as every animal has a different immune system, with individual sensitivities.

IS HYPOALLERGENIC DOG FOOD RECOMMENDED BY VETERINARIANS?

Several veterinarians are positive about the properties of hypoallergenic dog food and are fans of insect proteins as a solution. The first advantage is that insects are a new source of protein to which no allergies are currently linked. The proteins therefore do not need to be hydrolysed (i.e. broken down into smaller pieces) to prevent allergies, meaning insect proteins remain unprocessed and retain their full quality. A second advantage is the nutritional aspect. Insects contain three times more protein than a fresh chicken fillet, are rich in all 10 essential amino acids a dog needs, and are packed with fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. These aspects make insects a perfect alternative to meat or fish and an ideal hypoallergenic dog food. Finally, the use of insects in dog food is far more sustainable and animal-friendly than meat production. 20% of global meat production is consumed by our pets. This has a massive negative impact on our climate, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, land use and a reduction in biodiversity. Insects, on the other hand, are farmed using surplus waste streams from human consumption and, thanks to their short life cycle, are hyper-efficient at producing protein.

Is hypoallergenic dog food suitable for all dogs?

The only unique feature of hypoallergenic dog food is that it contains proteins that carry a low risk of causing allergies. However, the proteins in this nutrition are entirely equivalent to those in normal dog food. Some proteins, such as insects, also have the added benefit of having a very high-quality protein structure and containing all essential amino acids. They are low in carbohydrates and can therefore also help to maintain your dog’s weight. The same applies, incidentally, to our plant-based nutrition, which generally contains slightly fewer calories than nutrition based on insect proteins. In short, hypoallergenic dog food is suitable for dogs with and without allergies.

Does grain-free dog food help prevent allergies?

As mentioned earlier in this article, there are a number of grains that often trigger an allergic reaction. Wheat and barley are two grains that are best avoided in hypoallergenic dog food, as more than 15% of dogs with allergies will react badly to them. You will therefore need to take particular care to ensure that these two grains do not appear in your dog’s meals. Rye, spelt, maize and rice can also cause an allergic reaction in certain dog breeds, but this is much less common than with wheat or barley. A healthy portion of grains can, incidentally, add value to a meal, as they are rich in protein, minerals and vitamins and often contain less fat than many types of meat. In summary, hypoallergenic dog food should primarily avoid animal proteins, dairy products, barley and wheat.

Which dog breeds are most commonly affected by food allergies?

Any dog can be affected by allergies, but some dog breeds are more prone to allergies than others. A number of breeds that are genetically predisposed to hypersensitivity to allergens include (French) Bulldogs, American Pitbull Terriers, Bichon Frises, Boxers, Brussels Griffons, Bull Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers and Maltese. If you are a dog owner with one of these breeds, be aware that you must pay close attention to their nutrition from the very start, as the risk of an allergic reaction throughout their lifetime is very real. It is a safe choice to use hypoallergenic dog food from an early age.

Can a food allergy occur at any age?

Allergies can develop at any age. Allergic symptoms usually start to appear when your dog reaches the age of 6 months and can peak after the first or second year of life. Although an allergy usually develops at a younger age, there is no evidence to suggest that older dogs cannot also develop a sudden intolerance. Our furry friends are not born with an intolerance, and the likelihood of them developing one increases because they are constantly fed the same ingredients. Even if your dog develops symptoms later in life, it is still advisable to switch to hypoallergenic dog food.

Is hypoallergenic dog food easy to digest?

Hypoallergenic dog food is not necessarily more or less digestible than traditional dog food. In general, you can assume that nutrition with a low carbohydrate content and a high level of fibre will be easy to digest. Fibre aids digestion and keeps your dog’s bowels regular. Ingredients such as pumpkin, beetroot pulp and chicory are healthy sources of fibre that are also low in sugar and high in nutritional value. Ideal for keeping your dog at a healthy weight and minimising the risk of obesity.