Your dog is a valued member of your family, and naturally, you want to feed them the very best food that you can. After all, ensuring your furry friend gets all the nutrients they require is an excellent way to support them in living a long, healthy life. 

While many dogs are fairly uniform in regards to their dietary habits, you might suspect your furry friend has an intolerance to food from time to time. But what happens if that food is chicken, a mainstay in their diet? 

A chicken allergy (or simply an intolerance) is actually quite common in dogs.This common allergy impacts plenty of dogs, so knowing what to look out for - and then starting your pet on a chicken-free diet - is key. Today, we’re going to walk you through exactly what you need to know about moving your dog towards a chicken-free diet!

First, let’s discuss the reasons why your dog might need a chicken-free diet. While it's possible that your dog might have an aversion to the taste (though this is unlikely), most dogs can enjoy and tolerate chicken.

Still, there is one instance that you might need to move your pet to a chicken-free diet, and that’s if you suspect your pet has an allergy. This is actually one of the most common causes of allergies in dogs, so if you’re noticing your dog has allergy symptoms, poultry might be the culprit. There are ways that you can work to identify an allergy, so you’re not changing your dog’s diet for no reason!

So you suspect that your dog might have a chicken allergy. The first thing to do is take inventory of the signs and symptoms that you’ve observed after feeding. 

In dogs, the main three signs that your dog might have an allergy are:

At the same time, these aren’t the only symptoms that can occur if your dog has an allergy, so it’s essential that you pay close attention to their behavior after they eat the food you suspect they are allergic to. There are also more subtle signs that your dog might be battling a food allergy, and they don’t always come with the traditional symptoms. 

Some other signs that your pet is dealing with a food allergy include: 

Because these symptoms aren’t traditionally associated with allergies, it can be easy to ignore them. If you notice your dog is acting unusual in any way—especially after feeding—it’s time to take them to the vet to check out the situation. 

Bringing your pet to a trusted veterinarian will help you get the answers you and your pet deserve. Your vet is going to be able to give you clarity regarding what exactly is going on with your pet. That way, you’ll know what you have to do moving forward with your furry friend.

There are a couple of ways that your vet could diagnose your pet with an allergy. The first one is by putting them on a so-called ‘elimination diet.’ This requires giving your dog hypoallergenic meals for eight to twelve weeks as a food trial.

To truly work, this tactic requires you to give your pet food with none of the same ingredients they’ve had in the past. Yes, that even includes treats and supplements. After the trial, you will reconvene with your vet to reevaluate.

The other option is much more succinct. This tactic involves drawing blood from your pet. These tests could indicate that your dog has an allergy to a certain food. That’s why it’s important to talk to your vet if you’re concerned your pet has an allergy: they’ll have the best idea about which diagnosis strategy would be more effective in your pet’s specific case.

Once your vet has officially diagnosed your dog with a chicken allergy, you can finally start taking steps towards making your pet more comfortable. Of course, allergies are difficult to deal with - especially for your furry friend who can’t verbalize how they’re feeling. Still, there are things that you can do as their owner to help support them on their journey towards healing. 

Unfortunately, when it comes to food allergies, dogs don’t often respond to corticosteroids (drugs designed to help reduce inflammation) or other treatments. That’s why the most effective way to help your furry friend get better is by simply eliminating the food from their diet. 

While it can seem overwhelming to figure out how you’re going to rework what your dog eats in a day, this is the best thing you can do for your dog in the long term. Not only will you notice that they won’t experience the symptoms they were prior to their treatment, but you’ll also likely notice an overall happier, healthier pup. 

If you’re looking for a chicken-free recipe that’s going to provide your pet with all the nutrients and protein they need, we have great news for you. 

Sundays For Dogs is here to support your pet with their new diet. That’s why we’ve formulated human-grade dog food that’s completely devoid of both chicken and dairy, two common allergens for dogs.

Sundays For Dogs was created by a vet, so we understand how essential it is to ensure that your dog is getting their daily helping of all the nutrients they need. Luckily, it’s completely feasible to eliminate chicken from your pet’s diet and still provide them with all the vitamins and minerals they need. Here at Sundays, we pack our all-natural, synthetic-free food with all the goodness your pet needs to thrive. 

First, let’s run through everything you won’t find in a dish of Sundays For Dogs. You’ll never find dairy or chicken because, like we mentioned earlier, these allergies plague a lot of dogs. We’re firmly committed to being gluten, legume, wheat, soy, rice, corn, and potato free. These products can interfere with the absorption of nutrients your pet needs, so why add them in? 

In addition to this, we’re happy to provide your pet with food made without what we call “meat imposters.” We’re proud of the ingredients we use, and that’s why you’re never going to see anything vague—like meat meal—on our labels. As we mentioned, we don’t believe your pet should be eating artificial flavors, preservatives, or chemicals - so our food is free of that, too. Plus, we don’t use synthetic minerals—only the real deal, which is what your dog needs! And last but not least, there’s no meal prep or strong odors, which sure makes pet owners happy. 

Now that we’ve discussed all the icky ingredients we don’t use, let’s talk about all the fabulous ones we do. We’ve curated our food to only contain products that we’d be proud to give our own pets. That’s why you can feel comfortable feeding your pet Sundays - you know what you’re getting is good.

First of all, our foods are great for pets who are picky eaters. Tasty, fresh, air-dried meats are different from the traditional kibble your dog dislikes. Instead, Sundays will bring your dog the same excitement as being fed a treat. 

Second, our food is great for dogs that have sensitive bellies. The pumpkin and ginger components assist with digestion, making our lightly dried food all the easier to eat. Sundays is also brimming with antioxidants, as we’ve harnessed the power of air-dried fruits and veggies. And because our products provide your pet with natural sources of Glucosamine and Chondroitin, you’re supporting your dog’s joint health when you feed them our food. 

Still, that’s not all. Sundays supports healthy coats as our food is an excellent source of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids for your pup. And last but not least, the fiber content and honest, natural ingredients will mean your dog won’t have a difficult time digesting. 

If your dog has a chicken allergy, they’ve struggled enough with belly aches and feeling unwell. Give them a food they’ll love, and one that supports them instead of working against them. Give them Sundays.

If you fear your pet has a chicken allergy, the best thing to do is observe their symptoms and bring them to a vet to get diagnosed. It’s a fairly common allergy, so don’t panic if your dog is allergic. Luckily, there are options for alternative foods that don’t contain chicken or compromise nutritional value. Try Sundays - see for yourself! 

SOURCES: 

Image for Is My Dog Allergic to Chicken? | Pet Care Rx 

Food Allergies in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospital 

Corticosteroids | Cleveland Clinic 

Allergies in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospital.