Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
  • Home
  • Curbside Service Protocol
  • Clinic News
  • New Patient Center
    • What To Expect
    • Veterinary Resources
    • Payment Options
    • New Patient Form
    • Virtual Tour
  • Services
    • Preventative Services
    • Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine
    • Ultrasound
    • Internal Medicine
    • Orthopedic Surgery
    • Laser Surgery
    • Laser Therapy
    • Soft tissue surgery
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Team
    • Virtual Office Tour
    • Pet Selector
  • Memorials
  • Testimonials
  • Veterinary Topics
  • Contact Us
  • Online Store
Pet Food Allergies? The Rules for a Pet Food Trial Have Changed
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • Nutrition & Food >
  • Pet Food Allergies? The Rules for a Pet Food Trial Have Changed

Pet Food Allergies? The Rules for a Pet Food Trial Have Changed

  • Created in Newsletter Library, Nutrition & Food
Image of two bowls of kibble.

Food allergies are common in dogs and cats. It usually manifests as itchy skin, chronic vomiting, or diarrhea. If you suspect that your pet may have a food allergy, you will need to investigate by performing a food trial. There are no intradermal skin tests or blood tests that are valid for determining food allergies. There are three rules for a food trial:

1.) Pick a new food that is different from any food fed in the past. This does not mean to just choose a different brand. In the past, veterinarians instructed pet owners to check the fine print on the ingredient list on each food label in order to pick a new food that is totally different in ingredients. Often the large label on the front of the bag mentions only two ingredients but in reality the food has many ingredients.

A recent research study showed that, unfortunately, in normal commercial foods there is a lot of cross contamination of ingredients in the manufacturing process. For instance, a beef and wheat food may also contain chicken and rice because the pipeline was not cleaned out between their productions. As a result, there are ingredients in the food that are not on the label.

Dermatologists and other specialists are now recommending foods whose main protein is rabbit. This is because rabbit is, genetically, the most remote from any other meat source. Duck is similar to chicken, lamb is similar to beef; they may have common antigens that will cause an allergy. Rabbit is the most unlike any other meat.

You should not choose a food just because it is labeled "food for the sensitive skin or stomach," as this is not a valid claim. If there is an ingredient in that food to which the pet is allergic, there will still be symptoms.

2.) You should feed the new food for 12 weeks for dogs and 8 weeks in cats before you decide whether it works or not.

3.) You cannot feed other foods while your pet is on the food trial. This includes treats, table scraps, chewable vitamins, meat flavored toothpastes or chewable heartworm preventative.

  • Pet Health
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Digestive and Oral Health
    • Diseases and Viruses
    • Pests and Parasites
    • Orthopedics
  • Today's Veterinarian
  • Choosing Your Pet
    • Cats
    • Dogs
    • Finding Your Pet
    • Exotics
      • Birds
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
        • Lizards
        • Turtles
    • Small Mammals
      • Ferrets
      • Rabbits
      • Pocket Pets
        • Hedgehogs
        • Chinchillas
        • Guinea Pigs
        • Rats
        • Hamsters
      • Domesticated Animals
        • Prairie Dogs
    • Livestock
      • Poultry
      • Goats
      • Pigs
      • Sheep
      • Cows
      • Donkeys, Horses & Mules
  • Living With Your Pet
    • Bringing Your Pet Home
    • Providing Care
    • Travel
    • Saying Goodbye
    • Children and Pets
  • Newsletter Library
    • Behavior & Training
    • Pet Dangers
    • Keeping Pets Healthy
    • Cats
    • Recognizing Illness
    • Nutrition & Food
    • Seasonal Topics
    • Fleas & Parasites
    • Visiting the Vet
    • Equine
    • Tips for Pet Owners
    • Newsletter Archive
      • Fun with Pets
      • Unbelievable Pets
  • Video Newsroom
    • Health Topics
    • Technology and Science
    • Other Interests
No form settings found. Please configure it.
  • Services

    We strive to provide complete care for our patients. Learn more about all the services we provide.
  • Online Forms

    Our patient forms are available online so they can be completed in the convenience of your own home or office.
  • Make An Appointment

    We will do our best to accommodate your busy schedule. Schedule an appointment today!

Our Locations

  • "All the staff is friendly and helpful. I enjoy bringing our dog to All Creatures Veterinary Service for her medical needs. Both Veterinarians are very knowledgeable and excellent! Thank you!!"
    Karen B.

All Creatures Veterinary Services

Sugar Gliders

Thinking of getting a sugar glider? These tiny marsupials are energetic and friendly, making them popular choices as pets. Though they weigh less than a half-pound, they're more closely related to kangaroos than they are flying squirrels. If you think a sugar glider would make an ideal pet for your family, ...

Read More
  • Copyright © 2021 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map