6 Most Common Dog Food Allergies

Think your dog might have a food allergy? The most common dog food allergies are chicken, beef, dairy, and wheat. 

The majority of food allergies in dogs are to the (meat) protein sources such as chicken and beef. Allergies to gluten are exceedingly rare, other than in Irish Setters and a few other breeds where a genetic celiac-like disease can be found. 

However, no two dogs are exactly the same, and depending on a variety of factors, they may be allergic or sensitive to one or more common ingredients. 

If your dog appears to be struggling with allergies, check the labels of their dog food. It could very well be one of these food products that is irritating your pup. 

Chicken

Chicken is one of the most common proteins used in dog food formulas. While you rarely hear of people being allergic to chicken, it’s one of the most common dog food allergies. It can cause itchy skin, gastrointestinal issues, and a variety of other symptoms such as aggression or sudden weight loss. 

Although chicken is a main ingredient in many dog foods, it can be easily substituted for other healthy proteins such as beef, pork, lamb, or salmon. When choosing a chicken-free dog food, look for one that includes whole foods without an abundance of grains and fillers.

Beef

Beef is another common allergen in dogs. However, it’s not as common of a main ingredient as chicken since it’s usually more expensive to include in dog foods. 

If your dog turns out to be allergic to beef, you’ll want to look for another main meat protein source, such as turkey, chicken, lamb, or salmon. 

Dairy

Dairy can also cause food allergies in dogs. It’s not in all dog foods, but it sometimes appears in small amounts. 

Similar to lactose intolerance in humans, many dogs are sensitive or allergic to dairy products. If you’ve switched to a different dog food that contains dairy, you may have noticed changes in behavior, stools, and vomiting, as dairy can severely irritate your dog’s digestive tract if they’re allergic.

So even if your dog loves ice cream or whipped cream, watch how much you allow them to eat.

Wheat

Wheat is a grain that can cause food allergies in dogs. Many dog foods use grains in large quantities as filler ingredients that make your dog feel full. 

While grains do fill them up, they could possibly cause an allergic reaction. In addition, these unnecessary amounts of wheat or grains can lack the wide variety of nutrients your dog needs.

This doesn’t mean your dog shouldn’t have any grains at all. There are other whole grains aside from wheat, such as quinoa, which is an excellent source of nutrients and much less likely to result in a dog food allergy.

Corn

Corn is another common dog food allergy. Not only can it irritate your dog’s stomach, but corn flour and cornmeal are often included with other grains in dog foods as fillers rather than nourishing ingredients.

Corn doesn’t contain a ton of essential nutrients. It has a high glycemic index, which can raise your dog’s blood glucose levels, plus it isn’t very easy to digest. 

All in all, it’s best to avoid corn in dog food.

Sticking with human-grade dog food that avoids unnecessary ingredients like corn and wheat will ensure your dog gets the nutrition they need with each bite. 

Soy

Soy is another common food allergy in dogs. While soy contains plant protein and nutrients, it can also cause irritation and a reaction if your dog is allergic to it. If you notice any of the signs of a dog food allergy, it’s best to eliminate soy right away and see if your dog’s symptoms improve. 

What can you feed dogs with food allergies?

These common allergens are in many of the popular dog foods, but you can find alternatives that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction. 

For example, instead of wheat or corn, oats and quinoa are excellent choices for carbs. These are low-allergen foods that have a good carbohydrate content. 

Many dog foods have synthetic fats. Instead, consider healthy natural fats like sunflower oil and fish oils. Vitamins and minerals are also naturally occurring in the world around us, yet many dog foods use vitamin packs. You can tell by the long list of vitamins at the end of the list of ingredients on the package. 

The average "natural" kibble actually has 29 synthetic additives in it. But we know that filler grains, synthetic fats, and vitamin packs are not the best way to get your dog the nutritional goodies their bodies need. 

So what can you feed your pup? With Sundays, you get human-grade food that uses real meat proteins; ancient grains like quinoa, oats, and millet; and whole superfoods like blueberries and leafy greens.

Try our All-Natural Turkey recipe which is made with a limited list of human-grade, allergy-friendly ingredients.