Food Allergies and Intolerances: Is there any difference?

Pet Food Allergies

A pet food allergy involves the immune system. This can be triggered by a dog’s response to a certain ingredient such as protein source. For example, cells may release histamine which causes itching. Generally, food allergies cause skin-related issues in dogs such as inflammation, itching, hair loss and hot spots. There is also the possibility they can develop ear infections that can become a reoccurring theme once treatment has ended.

A dog that has a food allergy will most likely always suffer from this. However, the severity of this can change over time.

A common theme for owners is to assume that itchy skin is caused by a food allergy. However, true food allergies in cats and dogs are very rare, making up for only 1% of all skin diseases in dogs.

Pet Food Intolerances

A pet food intolerance does not involve the immune system  and is caused when a food doesn’t agree with a dog’s body. This is simply a functional or mechanical issue with digesting a particular food. An example of this is a dog may be sensitive to wheat. Intolerances often mimic food allergies because the body can only demonstrate a problem in so many ways.

It can be challenging to identify what causes food intolerance. You can use an elimination diet to take away ingredients that you believe may be the cause of the problem. This works by removing a suspect ingredient for a minimum of 4 weeks from a dogs diet and then by reintroducing the ingredient you can then monitor any physical changes.

Common ingredients that may cause intolerances include grains (i.e wheat and maize), eggs, soya or dairy.

What can you do?

If you believe that your pet is suffering from a food allergy or intolerance, there are a number of things that you can do.
• Feed your pet hypoallergenic food as this helps to avoid common allergens and intolerances
• Choose a diet with a single protein source such as meat or fish
• Select a diet with novel ingredients
• Follow an elimination diet

You will be able to find out more about ‘food allergy’ tests for pets and more information from our forthcoming article.

Here at Orchard House our Superfood 65® and Grain Free recipes are all hypoallergenic. Each of the recipes has been formulated to be free from common allergens which may lead to intolerances and sensitivities in pets.

The Orchard's Prime Superfood 65® range is rich in amino acids, vitamins and minerals that help support everyday health and well-being whilst our Grain Free range has been formulated with Sweet Potato and Potato to be suitable for those with grain intolerance/sensitivity.

To see a complete range and to order your Superfood 65® and Grain Free recipes, you can navigate the menu bar at the top of the page over the appropriate lifestage to show the drop down menu that will reveal the links to our different Hypoallergenic ranges.