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Manny: A dog with a food intolerance

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Manny is a ten-year-old boxer/ American bulldog cross. After a rough start in life, he was adopted by his current owners six years ago, and he has undoubtedly fallen on his feet. Unfortunately, it’s his feet that have remained a problem. As well as being incredibly itchy, they have been consistently sore and a constant source of discomfort to him. Manny has also suffered from an itchy chin and ears, along with irritating spots on his body. These symptoms provided a strong argument that he was a dog with a food intolerance, but how could his owner find out for sure?

Itchy skin is a common food intolerance symptom

Because itchy skin is a common pet food intolerance symptom, Manny’s owner was advised to try him on an elimination diet. This involves stripping back meals so they’re completely bland and then slowly reintroducing foods one at a time. If a pet’s symptoms flare up again, you’ll have found the offending item that their body is intolerant to. While this is a tried and tested method used to identify sensitivities in pets, it can be a lengthy process. It can also be difficult to spot a link between a food item and a pet’s response because symptoms can sometimes kick in hours or even days later.

Do you have a dog with a food intolerance? Our tests give quick results

To speed things up, Manny’s owner decided to order one of our pet food intolerance tests. This involved sending a few strands of Manny’s fur to our lab, where we tested its sensitivity against 200 items to see how his cells would react. A full breakdown of his test results was emailed a few days later, with each item categorised according to Manny’s intolerance levels. This gave his owner a complete overview of the food his body reacts sensitively to, along with items that can initiate a mild physical response.

Healthy treats can still be the cause of a dog’s food intolerance

Manny’s food intolerance results confirmed that he is highly sensitive to a number of foods that are regularly fed to dogs as treats or as part of their diet. Apples (if they’re prepared properly), cheddar cheese and xylitol-free peanut butter are all healthy snacks that proved to be incompatible with Manny’s digestive system. The pet intolerance testing reports also stated that chicken, turkey, and steak have the potential to trigger a more subtle reaction. These are sources of protein that are often found in branded pet food and given to dogs who are on a bland diet. It’s therefore likely that the high-quality treats and turkey-flavoured food Manny was eating had, in fact, been the trigger behind his food intolerance symptoms.

Food intolerance test results can improve your dog’s health

Because Manny is sensitive to a lot of meats, his owner decided to eliminate them from his diet. After the intolerance test results were discussed with his vet, Manny made the gradual transition to a brand of dry dog food specifically formulated for sensitive skin. Instead of being turkey flavour, his new food contains fish and potato, which are both considered safe for Manny to eat without triggering a reaction. Manny’s owner has also made changes to the treats he has. Xylitol-free peanut butter on a licking mat and small pieces of cheese have now been replaced with raw carrot and fish-based treats to reward positive behaviour and reinforce training.

A dog with a food intolerance needs a diet to suit their individual needs

Since changing Manny’s diet and eliminating the foods he is intolerant to, his previous health complaints have improved. Manny’s owner has noticed the itchy spots that turned into scabs or hotspots are no longer causing him any discomfort. She thinks this is a result of fine-tuning his meals and removing food items that aren’t compatible with his individual needs. Just like humans, pets struggle to digest certain ingredients, which can, in turn, impact their health. While Manny still suffers from ailments the boxer in him is prone to, his overall wellbeing and skin complaints are much less of a problem, and he is enjoying life in his forever home.

Contact us to find out whether you have a dog with a food intolerance

If your dog has re-occurring symptoms such as itchy skin, fatigue, and digestive issues, they could have a food intolerance. Find out for sure by ordering one of our tests from the UK Pet Food Intolerance website. If you have any questions about how the tests work, please send an email to [email protected], or fill out the contact form on our website.

How to keep your dog safe this Halloween

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If you’re Team October, you’ll probably be making Halloween plans already. Before you know it, you’ll choose your pumpkins, decorate spooky decorations, and buy treats for trick-or-treaters. But what does that mean for your pets on Halloween? Do you need to take extra precautions on the most dreadful night of the year to keep them safe? Can a dog have a chocolate intolerance? And which foods do you need to keep away from them to avoid any unexpected scares?

Keep the chocolate well hidden

Halloween-themed goodies have been on supermarket shelves for a while now. Whether you’re planning on stocking up on milk chocolate eyeballs or you fancy making your treats for October 31st, your dogs mustn’t get their paws on any. Dogs cannot eat chocolate, and not just because dogs are intolerant to chocolate. Because chocolate contains a stimulant called theobromine, which is toxic to dogs, eating it can cause the onset of severe health complications. These include kidney failure, heart failure, seizures and even death if it’s eaten sufficiently high. While all chocolate can be harmful, it’s even more dangerous if it has a high cocoa content or contains dried fruit and raisins, which are also poisonous to pets. All chocolate intolerance can be fatal, so don’t delay calling your vet for advice, even if your dog has only eaten a small amount.

Keep the apples for bobbing

Apple bobbing goes back centuries, and it remains a popular Halloween tradition. Thanks to their high vitamin A and C content, apples can be a healthy treat for dogs when enjoyed in moderation. However, because they contain fibre, eating too many can upset your dog’s stomach and give them diarrhoea. This is a common symptom of a dog having chocolate intolerance. The stem and the core can also be a choking hazard if they get stuck in your dog’s throat, while the pips contain a low amount of cyanide released when chewed. It’s unlikely that swallowing a couple of pips will cause problems, but it’s much better if apples are adequately prepared before feeding your dog. If they do decide to eat too many, it’s best to call your vet to see if they need anything to soothe their tummies.

Artificial sweetener (xylitol)

Xylitol is found in many sugar-free products, such as chewing gum, sweets, and peanut butter. Because it causes the release of insulin, your dog’s blood sugar levels can drop if they eat anything laced with this compound. This can lead to the onset of liver failure and unpleasant symptoms such as seizures, vomiting and lethargy. If you think your dog has helped themselves to a food that contains xylitol, call your vet immediately because they will need to be examined. While humans commonly consume this sweetener, it can put your dog in grave danger, so ensure they get the medical attention they need if they help themselves to an unsuitable Halloween snack.

What can you do to prepare for the Halloween season?

It’s common sense to keep food toxic to dogs out of the way they can’t reach. But it’s also a good idea to make sure that everyone else in your house is well-educated about foods that have the potential to make your dog unwell. Not only will this help to keep your pet safe at Halloween (and all year round), but it could also save you from the expense of some hefty vet bills. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with including your dog in the celebrations this October. Just ensure their food doesn’t get mixed up with yours so you don’t get extra frights.

Contact UK Pet Food Intolerance for advice

If you’d like to find out how a food intolerance test can improve your pet’s health, you can order it on the UK Pet Food Intolerance website. You can also email any questions to [email protected] or by filling in our contact form. While we are happy to help you choose the proper food intolerance test for your pet, you should always speak to your vet if you’re worried about your pet’s health.