Common triggers#
True food allergies in dogs are most often linked to a protein the dog eats regularly, such as beef or chicken, rather than to something new. Grains and certain additives can also be triggers, though this is less common than owners often expect.
Symptoms usually show up as itchy skin, recurring ear infections, paw licking or digestive upset, rather than the sneezing or watery eyes people associate with allergies in humans.
Try a single, new protein#
A single-protein meal made from something your dog hasn't eaten before, such as lamb or duck, with a short, simple ingredient list, makes it much easier to identify a trigger.
Avoid mixing in treats, chews or table scraps during this period, since even small amounts of the suspect ingredient can muddy the results.
Work with your vet#
A proper elimination diet typically takes 8–12 weeks of strict feeding before you can draw conclusions. Your vet can help you plan it, choose a suitable novel protein, and rule out other causes such as fleas, environmental allergies or a skin infection.
It's worth keeping a simple diary of symptoms and food during this time — it makes patterns much easier to spot together with your vet.
Signs it's working#
Less scratching, calmer skin, fewer ear infections and firmer stools are all good signs that you've found a diet that suits your dog.
Improvement is usually gradual rather than overnight, so give any new diet several weeks before judging it.
How Organic Dog Chef can help#
We stock single-protein raw meals and treats that suit many elimination diets, and our staff can point you towards options with the shortest, cleanest ingredient lists.
For a suspected medical allergy, please have your vet involved from the start — we're glad to support the food side of the plan alongside their guidance.