Food allergy

Is your pet itchy all year round — no matter the season?

A food allergy is one of the most common — and most missed — causes of year-round itching, ear infections, and skin trouble in pets. The good news: it can be identified and managed.

Signs you might notice

Year-round itching

Itching that stays about the same in every season, rather than flaring and fading

Recurring ear infections

Ears that keep flaring up despite treatment

Itchy paws, face, and rear

Frequent licking or chewing of the paws, face, belly, or rear end

Repeated skin infections

Red, inflamed skin and infections that return after treatment

Sometimes tummy trouble

Loose stools, gas, or more frequent bowel movements in some pets

What's really going on

A food allergy is an immune reaction to an ingredient in your pet’s diet — most often a protein such as beef, chicken, dairy, or egg. Contrary to popular belief, it’s rarely “the grain.”

Unlike seasonal environmental allergies, food allergies usually cause itching all year long, and the ears and skin are typically involved.

Blood, saliva, and hair tests are not reliable for diagnosing food allergy. The only accurate way to find it is a strict elimination diet trial.

How a specialist helps

A veterinary dermatologist designs and supervises an elimination diet trial — a carefully chosen novel-protein or hydrolyzed diet fed exclusively for 8–12 weeks, followed by a “re-challenge” to confirm the trigger. They’ll also clear any secondary ear or skin infections and rule out overlapping environmental allergies.

Once the trigger is confirmed, treatment is a long-term feeding plan that avoids it, along with care for any secondary infections.

What to expect at your visit

A dermatology exam and a review of your pet’s history and diet
A strict elimination diet trial for 8–12 weeks (no other foods, treats, or flavored medications)
A re-challenge with the original food to confirm the trigger
A long-term feeding plan and treatment of any secondary infections

Common questions

Unfortunately no — blood, saliva, and hair tests haven’t been shown to reliably diagnose food allergy. A supervised elimination diet trial is the gold standard.

Get help for your pet

Request a visit with our team and we'll take it from here.