Allergies

Allergy? Intolerance? Or could something else be going on?

This article was written by nutritionist Lotte Botter.

I often encounter this: an owner makes an appointment and immediately mentions that their dog has a food allergy. The dog is allergic to chicken, beef, grains, or sometimes can’t tolerate kibble or raw food.

It also seems as though the number of dogs with supposed food allergies has skyrocketed in recent years. Among Labradoodles, we see this trend perhaps even more frequently than with other breeds.

Here’s some reassuring news: for most dogs showing symptoms resembling a food allergy, there’s often something else causing the issue.

Naturally, the question arises: what, then, is causing these typical symptoms? The answer is not so straightforward, but I’ll do my best to share my insights.

My approach always starts with listing all possible causes of a specific complaint. This includes both obvious and unlikely causes. This is also something you, as an owner, can try. It just requires some logical thinking and perhaps asking around or doing some research.

Let’s take "itchiness" as an example.

Itching is one of the most common health complaints in dogs. If we make a list of all possible causes, it quickly grows into an extensive catalog. Here are just a few:

• Fleas. Obvious, but still a frequent issue.
• Dirty coat. A dirty coat can cause itching, especially if the dog also swims. Thankfully, Labradoodle owners are often aware that their dog needs regular bathing, but in many other breeds, it’s still believed that a dog shouldn’t be washed. This is entirely incorrect!
• Matted fur. Knots and mats in the fur, particularly between the toes and behind the ears, can create an uncomfortable pulling sensation, leading the dog to scratch and bite.
• Licking and biting creates a moist, warm environment where bacteria, fungi, and yeasts thrive. Itching often appears as a secondary problem, caused by something else. For example, repeated licking can create an ideal setting for a yeast infection, which then causes itching.
• Inappropriate shampoos with sulfates and fragrances can also lead to itching.
• Etc.

If you keep adding to this list, it can seem endless. But it provides a helpful framework for reviewing and eliminating these possible causes before looking at food. It might even be something simple...

This approach can also be used with gastrointestinal complaints, like poor appetite or loose stools. Particularly with loose stools, it’s important to first rule out life-threatening causes like tumors or Parvo, and then look at serious causes like Giardia and other parasites.

In my experience, the causes of symptoms are often simpler and closer to home than we might think.

Once serious causes have been ruled out and diagnostics are complete, it’s time to examine the diet.

Sometimes an elimination diet can be helpful, while in other cases, an intolerance diet suffices. My advice would be to consult a nutrition specialist who takes a straightforward approach. This means avoiding complementary medicine and long treatment paths unless necessary. That can always come later.

Observing, thinking along, explaining, and guiding are skills of a nutrition specialist that can be especially helpful in diagnosing food intolerances or allergies.

But remember, there’s a lot you can do yourself too!