Though dogs are more often affected by allergies like airborne allergens, seasonal allergies, and acute allergies, food allergies in dogs do exist – and dog allergies to chicken are more common than you might think.
A chicken allergy is one of the three most common food allergies in pets, behind beef and dairy.
Research studies disagree on the percentage of dogs affected by food allergies, which ranges from 0.2% of dogs (according to a Banfield Pet Hospital report) up to 10% (per Fetch by WebMD) and sometimes higher.
Either way, dog food allergies are a growing concern for dogs and their pet parents, so if you’re worried your dog may have an allergy to chicken, keep reading for signs of chicken allergies in dogs, how to diagnose pet food allergies, and the treatments available.
What Causes Dog Allergies to Chicken?
First, I should mention that there is a difference between dog food allergies and dog food intolerances.
A dog food allergy involves the immune system and is usually triggered by a response to a protein allergen, causing symptoms like itching and scratching (plus other symptoms discussed below).
Food intolerance in a dog is an abnormal response to an ingredient, but it does not involve the immune system. Sometimes the signs can be similar to a dog food allergy, but the most common symptom of food intolerance is gastrointestinal issues, which can be displayed as diarrhea, gas, gurgling, or nausea.
A food intolerance (or sensitivity) is more common than a true dog food allergy.
Let’s look at the reasons food allergies occur and why dogs might be allergic to chicken.
First, foods are broken down into amino acids by the digestive system, and the amino acids are then absorbed by enterocytes, a type of white blood cell. If the digestive system doesn’t completely break down the proteins, the enterocytes see them as intruders and attack the body. An allergy to poultry is an over-reaction of your dog’s immune system to an unwelcome protein. (Wag!)
Second, dog food allergies typically become evident after prolonged exposure to one brand or type of food. This means you could be feeding your dog the same food for years before a sensitivity develops and signs of a dog food allergy begin.
And lastly, any dog breed can develop food allergies, but certain breeds may be at a higher risk. These dog breeds include:
- Labrador Retrievers
- West Highland White Terriers
- Cocker Spaniels
- German Shepherds
- Dachshunds
Though research hasn’t proven food allergies can be inherited, this certainly suggests genetic dog food allergies may be possible.
How Common are Dog Allergies to Chicken?
As mentioned at the beginning of this post, the number of dogs affected by food allergies is heavily debated, but multiple research studies state that the percentage ranges from 0.2% to 10% and up.
The 6 most common food allergens in dogs include proteins such as dairy, beef, chicken, eggs, soy, and wheat gluten.
Why Are So Many Dogs Allergic to Chicken?
It’s not that “so many” cases of dog allergies to chicken, but it is one of the top three proteins that can lead to food allergies in dogs.
Since chicken is such a low-cost ingredient, many dog food makers include it in their product offerings, which are consumed by a high number of dogs.
What Dog Breeds Are More Prone to Food Allergies?
There are some dog breeds that are more prone than others to develop food allergies, like Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Dachshunds, West Highland White Terriers, and Cocker Spaniels.
So how do you know if your dog is allergic to chicken? Keep reading to find out!
Is My Dog Allergic to Chicken?
The truth is, allergy symptoms in dogs can look similar regardless of what your dog is allergic to (I.e. food, airborne allergens, detergents, or more).
The first step is being able to identify the signs of a dog food allergy and when those symptoms occur (such as shortly after eating).
The next step is to work to identify the cause of those symptoms. I’ve outlined those methods for you below.
Know the Signs of Dog Allergies to Chicken
Dogs that are allergic to chicken often experience one or more symptoms. Keep an eye out for signs of:
- Itchy skin, paws, or ears
- Skin rashes
- Biting at paws or skin
- Head shaking
- Scratching
- Obsessive licking
- Face rubbing
- Sneezing
- Coughing or wheezing
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
According to Wag! and other pet experts, food allergies generally surface within two hours from ingestion.
Diagnosing Dog Allergies to Chicken
There are a few methods for diagnosing dog allergies to chicken.
The most effective method is through the process of elimination. In a nutshell, an elimination diet means limiting your dog to minimal food ingredients for several weeks at a time to determine the cause(es) of your pet’s allergies.
The first type of elimination diet is called a novel protein and carbohydrate diet. When utilizing this method, your dog can only consume 2 dog food ingredients for 12-16 weeks, before slowly adding in one additional food at a time, observing how your dog reacts and feels to each.
Keep in mind that just because your dog may be allergic to chicken, that doesn’t mean he or she is allergic to all poultry. If you’ve removed chicken from your dog’s diet, you can try slowly introducing new foods containing alternative proteins such as eggs, turkey meat, or duck meat – but one at a time so you know how your dog reacts to each ingredient separately.
Another type of elimination diet is called a hydrolyzed protein diet, which utilizes a protein source that’s broken down into amino acids and peptides that aren’t detectable by your dog’s immune system.
The Dodo analyzes the best hydrolyzed protein dog food options for your pup’s allergies.
In total, food trials can take several months to fully understand what foods your dog’s body will tolerate and which he or she is too sensitive to.
These methods require a lot of patience – hopefully you have more than I do!
Another method is purchasing an at-home allergy testing kit, which can cost upward of $100. With these, you will use the swab they provide to collect saliva from inside your dog’s mouth – under your dog’s tongue, the side of the mouth, and inside the cheek.
There are many brands that sell these kits, but I like the EasyDNA Dog Allergy Test, which tests over 120 food and environmental allergens.
In addition to getting a report that ranks each substance as either strong intolerance, mild intolerance, or no reaction, you can also add on a Food Suggestion Report for $35. This report provides a list of recommended food brands and recipes that, when possible, exclude any allergens your has a “Strong Intolerance” to. They also offer multi-pet discounts if you need to order more than one kit!
You can expect to receive results approximately 2-3 weeks from receipt of samples at their laboratory.
Your vet can also run diagnostic allergy tests to determine what food allergies affect your dog, but this option can be costly and less accurate than an elimination diet.
The two main types of veterinary allergy tests are intradermal skin testing and blood allergy tests.
- Intradermal skin testing – With this method, your dog is injected with small amounts of potential allergens (while sedated or anesthetized) and a veterinary dermatologist monitors your dog’s skin reactions to these injections. This method is very similar to patch tests for humans.
- Blood allergy testing – This method involves your vet taking a blood sample from your dog and submitting the sample to a lab, which tests the blood against allergens that are expected to contribute to atopic dermatitis.
It’s important to note that dog food allergy tests that are performed on your pet’s blood, fur, or even saliva, are not the most accurate. Oftentimes they can trigger false positives.
Before you pay for a home allergy test or request bloodwork for your dog, I would recommend talking to your veterinarian about taking the more reliable route of an elimination diet.
Learn About Treatments for Dog Allergies to Chicken
I would love to tell you food allergies in dogs can be cured, but unfortunately, they cannot.
Home remedies such as an oatmeal bath or aloe vera rub only provide temporary relief for your dog without addressing the root cause of the allergy.
Thankfully, there are things you can do to avoid flare-ups from dog food allergies, keeping your pet feeling happier and healthier.
Once you’ve confirmed your dog does, in fact, have an allergy to chicken, the first treatment option is to completely eliminate chicken from your dog’s diet. If you’ve completed an elimination diet with your dog, you’ll know by this point which foods his or her body can handle and which to avoid.
Another treatment option is introducing a rotational diet. As we’ve learned, feeding your dog the same type of protein over a prolonged period of time can cause intolerance or allergy in your dog’s digestive system. Because of this, try rotating proteins in dog food and treats every couple of months
Several prescription treatments are available to help treat food allergies in dogs, including antihistamines, steroids, immunotherapy, and prescription dog food.
Before administering any medications or home remedies though, please consult with your dog’s veterinarian for a tailored approach to diagnosis and treatment.
Conclusion
Just like pet parents occasionally struggle with a negative immune reaction to certain foods or food groups, many dogs can also face food allergies.
Remember, food allergies in dogs can start at any age, even if your dog has been eating a certain food for years.
Schedule an appointment to meet with your vet if you think your dog may be suffering from a chicken allergy. They can discuss the symptoms with you, examine your pet, and develop a plan of action to determine if chicken is the culprit of your dog’s allergies.
If indeed, your dog does have a chicken allergy, and chicken must be eliminated from you’re your pet’s diet, check out this simple, customizable dog treat recipe! With only two ingredients (none of which are chicken), they make excellent treats for your canine companion.
Has your dog faced a food allergy, specifically to chicken? Comment below on your experience!