Shun NagaiWhen developing dog food, understanding food allergies is essential for supporting dogs’ health and quality of life. Many dogs experience allergic reactions triggered by their daily diet, which can lead to a variety of symptoms such as itchy skin and digestive upset.
In particular, identifying potential allergens and selecting appropriate ingredients are critical steps in providing dogs with an optimal nutritional balance. In this article, we explain the basics of canine food allergies and the key points to consider when developing dog food designed to reduce allergic reactions.
What Is a Food Allergy?
In dogs, a food allergy is a condition caused by a malfunction of the immune system. Normally, the immune system works to eliminate harmful foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses.
However, in the case of an allergic reaction, the immune system mistakenly identifies otherwise harmless proteins as dangerous foreign substances, or antigens, and overreacts to them. This is the fundamental mechanism behind food allergies.
There are several stages before this immune malfunction occurs. First, proteins consumed through food are broken down in the stomach and intestines by digestive enzymes into amino acids and small peptides, which are then absorbed through the intestinal tract.
However, during early life when digestive function is still immature, or when the intestinal barrier is weakened, proteins may not be broken down sufficiently and can be absorbed into the body in an undigested state.
When these incompletely digested proteins pass through the intestinal lining, immune cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells may recognize them as foreign threats and trigger the production of IgE antibodies. This stage is called sensitization and represents the early phase in the development of an allergic predisposition.
Once sensitization has occurred, the immune system will react immediately the next time the dog consumes the same allergen, meaning the protein that causes the allergy. At this point, IgE antibodies are already bound to mast cells. When the allergen binds again, the mast cells release chemical substances such as histamine and cytokines.
These substances then act on the body and cause symptoms such as itching, redness, and hair loss, as well as gastrointestinal problems including vomiting and diarrhea.
Difference Between a Food Allergy and Food Intolerance
A food allergy is different from a food intolerance. A food allergy involves a hypersensitive reaction triggered by the immune system. In contrast, food intolerance is the body’s difficulty digesting a certain type of food. If a dog has a meat intolerance, for example, the issue is caused by difficulty digesting a specific meat protein.
Symptoms of Food Allergies in Dogs
Food allergies in dogs often appear as dermatitis. This usually involves itching and redness of the skin, which may be localized to certain areas or affect the entire body.
However, itching does not always mean a dog has a food allergy. Mites, fleas, and infections caused by bacteria or fungi can also be responsible, so careful evaluation is necessary.
Although itching is the most common symptom of food allergies, it is not the only one. Other symptoms that owners may overlook can also occur.
- Abdominal pain:
Foods that trigger allergic reactions can cause symptoms associated with inflammatory bowel disease, including abdominal pain and vomiting. - Breathing difficulties:
If a dog has a severe allergy to a specific food, it may experience difficulty breathing, which can progress to a life-threatening condition known as anaphylactic shock. - Diarrhea:
Food allergies can also cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. - Excessive licking:
When the skin is itchy or irritated, dogs may excessively lick or chew their tail, paws, or other body parts, sometimes leading to hair loss.
In general, allergy symptoms in pets are similar to those seen in humans. Runny nose, red eyes, and sneezing are common. Skin rashes may also appear, and you may notice the dog rubbing against furniture or shaking its head frequently. As skin problems weaken the skin barrier, dogs can become more susceptible to bacterial and yeast infections.
Symptoms of a food allergy often appear shortly after eating the trigger ingredient, or sometimes after a delay. When the cause is unknown, allergy symptoms can be especially difficult to manage and stressful for both dogs and owners. Identifying the ingredient responsible for the reaction is the key to relieving symptoms.
Main Causes of Food Allergies
Any substance has the potential to cause a food allergy, but the most common food allergens in dogs include the following:
| Allergen | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Beef | 34% |
| Dairy products | 17% |
| Chicken | 15% |
| Wheat (gluten) | 13% |
| Soy | 6% |
| Lamb | 5% |
| Corn | 4% |
| Egg | 4% |
| Pork | 2% |
| Fish | 2% |
| Rice | 2% |
It is not surprising that these are among the main allergens for dogs, because they are also commonly used ingredients in commercial dog food. In other words, many dogs are highly exposed to these ingredients over time.
Put simply, feeding a dog the same food for many years may increase the risk of developing a food allergy. Therefore, one of the best ways to reduce the risk of food allergies is to provide a varied diet.
Developing Dog Food Suitable for Allergy Management
Food allergies cannot be completely cured, but symptoms can be reduced or eliminated by avoiding the foods that trigger allergic reactions.
For this reason, reviewing the animal proteins most likely to act as allergens is an important step in developing dog food suitable for allergy management.
Using Novel Proteins
One of the best ways to avoid animal proteins that are more likely to trigger allergic reactions is to switch to novel proteins. Hypoallergenic dog food often contains novel protein sources.
Examples include venison, bison, duck, rabbit, kangaroo, and crocodile. Venison is a healthy option because it is lower in fat and cholesterol than many other meats. Kangaroo meat is considered a highly digestible animal protein. Duck is also an excellent alternative to common poultry proteins such as chicken and turkey.
Because these novel proteins are not widely used in commercial dog food, they are generally considered less likely to trigger allergic reactions. They can be even more effective when paired with novel carbohydrate sources such as sweet potatoes or lentils.
Protein is an essential part of any diet, so if a dog’s immune system reacts to a certain protein, it is important to find a suitable novel protein as an alternative.
Single-Protein Dog Food
The best meat for a dog with food allergies depends on which specific protein causes the reaction. A dog allergic to chicken may not react to beef or salmon, while a dog allergic to beef may tolerate poultry such as chicken or turkey.
For this reason, single-protein dog food containing only one type of animal protein is also well suited for managing food allergies and simplifying allergy testing.
Commercial dog food often contains multiple meat proteins and many other ingredients that may trigger allergic reactions. Choosing a dog food made with limited meat protein sources makes it easier to identify the ingredient responsible for the reaction.
Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food
Hydrolyzed protein refers to protein that has been chemically or enzymatically processed into much smaller peptide chains or amino acid units. This process is called hydrolysis.
Normally, a dog’s immune system reacts to larger protein molecules. However, when proteins are hydrolyzed into extremely small fragments, the immune system is much less likely to recognize them as allergens. As a result, they are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction.
Developing Dog Food With Premium Ingredients
To develop dog food suitable for dogs with food allergies, selecting the highest-quality ingredients is essential. OEM manufacturing in New Zealand not only makes it possible to use New Zealand-origin ingredients such as green-lipped mussels, manuka honey, and kiwifruit, which may help support immune health, but also allows manufacturers to produce dog food with the following characteristics:
- Use of cage-free New Zealand chicken
- More than 40% high protein content
- No artificial growth hormones or antibiotics
Here, we would like to explain why New Zealand is an ideal place for OEM dog food manufacturing.
New Zealand’s Pasture-Based Livestock Industry
New Zealand is known for its vast grasslands, fresh air, and lush natural environment. The country is also internationally recognized for its fresh livestock products and diverse, innovative food culture. As a leading producer of sheep and cattle, New Zealand is equally well known for high-quality dairy products such as cheese and ice cream.
The country offers a wide range of premium agricultural products, including manuka honey, avocado oil, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. These ingredients contribute significantly to the production of premium food and beverage products on a global scale.
This strong reputation is not limited to human food. It also plays a major role in the quality of super-premium pet food manufactured in New Zealand.
Thanks to its advanced pasture-based livestock systems, New Zealand has remained free of BSE, commonly known as mad cow disease, a fatal disease that affects the central nervous system of cattle and can cause aggressive behavior or depression.
Combined with strict regulatory requirements for pet food manufacturing, New Zealand’s premium raw materials demonstrate why the country has established itself as a benchmark for super-premium pet food production.
Ingredients Raised in a Natural Environment
New Zealand’s unique combination of environmental conditions, including a mild climate, abundant rainfall, low population density, clean water, and fertile pastureland, helps ensure ingredient freshness and flavor.
In addition, New Zealand’s animal welfare laws and pasture-based farming systems require cattle, sheep, and deer to be raised in natural environments. Animals raised on pasture can move freely without being confined to crowded facilities, and they generally do not require antibiotics.
Pasture-raised livestock also do not need artificial hormones, grain-based feed, or other artificial additives. As a result, studies have shown that meat from grass-fed cattle contains 30 to 40% more conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA, than meat from grain-fed cattle. CLA has been associated with anti-cancer properties and weight management benefits.
Free-range chicken has also been shown to be lower in fat and calories, while eggs from free-range systems tend to contain less fat, more vitamin A, and higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids.
Food Safety Standards
One of New Zealand’s highest priorities is ensuring food safety for consumers. To achieve this, the country has established strong measures to prevent the introduction and spread of pathogens and disease in livestock and crops, along with thorough management of animal behavior and feeding practices.
New Zealand is also recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health, or WOAH, as a country free from major animal diseases, and it maintains a high level of food traceability.
Food traceability means that raw materials can be tracked back to their suppliers. This not only helps ensure food safety, but also helps prevent the large-scale spread of contaminated food sources.
Strict Regulations for Pet Food Manufacturing
Pet food manufacturers in New Zealand must comply with two strict national laws: the ACVM Act and the APA.
Under the ACVM Act, established in 1996, the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Group oversees the registration of agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines, monitoring of imported food, and the regulation of manufacturing, sales, and use.
In addition, the Animal Products Act of 1999 established a risk management system requiring all traded and used pet food products to be fit for their intended purpose under New Zealand’s animal product standards.
These strict legal frameworks help ensure that pet food is produced by carefully selected manufacturers in hygienic environments, using nutrient-rich ingredients while maintaining a high level of food safety.
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