Food allergies and food intolerances are not uncommon in cats and dogs. Pet food contains proteins necessary for the life of cats and dogs, but sometimes the animal's body mistakenly perceives one of the proteins as foreign. Allergies occur precisely because the animal's immune system mistakenly recognizes the protein as unhealthy and begins to "fight" it. According to statistics , 6% of dogs and 5% of cats with dermatological problems have food allergies.

An animal's food allergy can manifest itself with the same manifestations as a parasitic infection, seasonal pollen allergy, or other health problems. Oleksandr Ayshpur, a veterinarian and Royal Canin's scientific communications expert, gives advice on how to recognize allergies in pets and what to do if your cat or dog is allergic.

How to Recognize Food Allergies

Here are the signs that may indicate a food allergy:

• Cat or dog starts scratching, licking, or even scratching their skin more often and intensely, until they develop sores or scratches;

• the animal loses its hair intensively;

• the animal develops gastrointestinal disorders: flatulence, diarrhea, vomiting. In the case of allergy or food intolerance, these symptoms are persistent and long-lasting.

Dermal manifestations of adverse reactions to food are common in both cats and dogs. Up to 16% of diseases that manifest as itching in cats are allergic, and in dogs, this figure reaches 20%.

"Usually, the manifestations of food allergy develop gradually, not immediately. An animal can consume a certain diet for months or years, and an allergy to it can develop in the background and manifest itself after a long time. Therefore, it is very important to notice, diagnose the problem in time and start treatment", says Oleksandr Ayshpur.

What causes an allergic reaction in cats and dogs — the most common allergens

Any protein of plant or animal origin can cause an allergy in an animal. Among the most common foods that cause allergic reactions:

• beef;

• fish;

• chicken;

• dairy products;
  

• wheat;

• eggs.

These products can cause allergies when consumed both in pure form and as part of feed. It is important to note that even familiar foods can begin to cause an allergic reaction or food intolerance over time. Contrary to popular belief, allergies often occur after the introduction of new foods into the diet.

How to deal with allergies

If the animal has any of the above symptoms, you should immediately contact your veterinarian to help identify the cause of the allergy.

The veterinarian will suggest the following steps:

• Tests for differential diagnosis. First of all, the doctor will exclude the presence of parasitic diseases, infections, dust allergies or seasonal allergies, and endocrinological problems in the animal.

• Elimination diet for allergen identification. After ruling out diseases with similar symptoms, the doctor will prescribe a special diet - hypoallergenic food - that will help eliminate irritants from the diet and improve the animal's health as soon as possible.
  

Don't hesitate to contact your veterinarian as soon as you notice any of these symptoms in your pet. With timely veterinary care, you can help your pet feel better and extend their healthy life.