Food Intolerance vs. Food Allergy – Do You Know the Difference?

Morris K9 Campus is all about training, daycare and agility, but we decided to take a slight detour to discuss a common topic that has come up a lot recently – food tolerance vs. food allergy. 

If you notice that your dog’s skin is itchy and that they have been losing hair, this could be a reaction to their diet. Although a food allergy is a possibility, this type of reaction could also be caused by a food intolerance. Like us, dogs can experience a variety of different reactions from certain types of foods. But how do you know if your dog has an allergy to a certain type of food, or if it is a food intolerance? What exactly is the difference?  

According to Dr. Jean Dodds, a renowned veterinarian specializing in nutrition, knowing whether your dog has a food allergy or food intolerance is very important. A food allergy is an immediate reaction, meaning your dog is experiences issues from it right away. Food allergies, although they may be more widely understood, are actually quite rare in dogs. 

“Food intolerance is the third most common sensitivity condition in dogs and cats,” says Dr. Dodds on her website. A food intolerance is a delayed reaction that deals with digestion issues and, according to Dr. Dodds, can begin anywhere from 2-72 hours after the dog consumes whatever food is the issue. The remedy, she says, is often as simple as a change in their diet.

Simplifying and changing your dog’s diet can be important to address the food insensitivity issues, but be sure to consult your veterinarian before you change what you feed your dog. A general suggestion from Dr. Dodds is to move the dog from a common protein diet, such as beef or chicken, and introduce them to a less-used protein such as turkey or fish. This is because dogs tend to develop an intolerance after eating the same type of food for awhile. 

Skin issues are one of the main signs of food intolerance, which can manifest and appear as different types of skin conditions. Even if your dog has tested negative for food allergies, they could test positive for food intolerance. There is a simple cheek swab that can determine the sensitivities your dog has, which could help steer you on the path to getting your dog’s food-related skin irritations under control. NutriScan is a test invented by Dr. Jean Dodds that can determine if your dog has any food intolerances.

There is no breed, age or sex that makes your dog more susceptible to food intolerance. Discuss with your vet about whether your dog could have a food allergy or intolerance, and what steps you could take in order to help solve it. Providing your dog the proper nutrition is the key in order to have a well-balanced, healthy dog.

Keep an eye on our blog as we continue our food discussion and put Dr. Jean Dodds' Nutriscan swab system to the test.

Health and Nutrition of Your Canine

With February being Responsible Pet Owner Month, this week the focus will be the health and nutrition of your four-legged friend.

When a dog is overweight it poses a serious health risk for the pooch. Not only are they more susceptible to seriously health problems, it can vastly cut your dog’s life short. These problems can be greatly reduced if you focus on your dogs health and nutrition. This way you improve their quality of life and possibly increase their life span.

Dogs aren’t able to control what they are eating themselves, so it is the responsibility of the pet owner to make those decisions for them. It is crucial that they are eating something that is nutritious, healthy and beneficial to them. Just remember that spending an extra few dollars on a high quality dog food can save you hundreds of dollars in medical bills. According to PetMd.com, a recent survey indicates over 50 percent of America's pet population is overweight or obese. Just like people, overweight dogs can face a litany of health issues. The potentially devastating consequences of obesity include:

• Trouble breathing

• Greater risk for heat stroke

• Pancreatitis

• Diabetes

• Orthopedic concerns

• Compromised immune system

• Reduction in life span

• Mammary tumors (particularly in un-spayed females)

• Skin conditions

• Heart problems

• High blood pressure

If you are feeding your dog dry food, The Whole Dog Journal recently published a list of their “approved dry dog foods of 2013.” Their list this year of dry food has expanded to what you can find at your local pet store, instead of having to only go to a pet specialty store. The Whole Dog Journal sites the reason for the change is due to consumer demand. Dog owners want better dog food and the pet food industry listened. Visit our lobby to ask for your copy of the approved list of food.

Treats can be a great reward for your dog, but remember that,” treat” implies that a dog doesn’t get it regularly. Treats should be used in great moderation, and if you are rewarding your dog every day, make sure that the treats that you are giving your dog are healthy and falls appropriately in their diet.

Just like humans, it is important for your dog to get the appropriate amount of exercise, in order to maintain a well balanced and healthy lifestyle. Whether you take your dog on a brisk walk, or taking a specialty class with your dog, exercise can be extremely beneficial to your dog.

Keep your dog on a well balanced diet and having a good exercise plan. It is up to you to keep them on the right track. Once again, if you would like to see the Whole Dog Journal’s approved Dog Food List for 2013, please visit our Lobby so we can give you a copy! Check back next week as we continue to look at how you can be a responsible pet owner.


Sources:
- http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/16_2/features/Top-Quality-Dry-Dog-Food-Review-2013_20688-1.html

- http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/overweight-dogs-and-canine-weight-loss-diets?page=3