Food allergy is an important component of allergic dermatitis.  Serum IgE testing for food allergy is a useful tool in identifying offending food allergies and making the appropriate diet changes. 

While traditional elimination/provocation food trials remain the classically accepted method for identifying food allergies, it is extremely difficult for many owners to comply with the restrictions and lengthiness (minimum of 6-8 weeks) of a properly conducted food trial. 

• Food allergies account for approximately 5-10% of all skin disorders in cats and dogs, and 31% of non-seasonal canine dermatitis cases.
• Third most common cause of allergy after flea bite allergies and atopic dermatitis. 
• Symptoms can occur in animals as young as 4 months, up to 12 years of age. 
• Up to 50% of food-allergic patients are younger than 1 year when diagnosed. 
  
• Many animals with food allergies also have concurrent atopy due to environmental allergens.

The primary symptom in a food-allergic dog or cat is very itchy skin. Symptoms also frequently include chronic or recurrent ear infections (generally caused by yeast), hot spots, face rubbing, hair loss and secondary staphylococcal infections that respond to antibiotic treatment, but recur after treatment has ended. 

Typical Symptoms of Food Allergy

ACTT Food Allergy Test

Traditional Diet Food Panel

Twenty one classic food ingredients commonly found in commercial pet foods: barley, beef, beets, carrot, chicken, corn, cow’s milk, egg, fish mix, lamb, oats, peanut, pork, potato, rice, soy bean, sweet potato, turkey, venison, wheat, and yeast. 

Specialty Diet Food Panel
Eleven specialty ingredients found in premium and holistic diets: apple, berry mix, duck, green bean, green pea, salmon, shellfish mix, spinach, tomato and rabbit.

 7 most common food allergens

Beef, Chicken, Milk

Eggs, Corn, Wheat

Soybean

What your Pet Owners 
should know. 

View a sample Food Letter
 Click Here