Food Allergy Elimination: A Vet's Comprehensive Guide

Join Dr. Em to learn how to do a proper food trial! There are many times where a food trial is necessary to rule in/out a food allergy, and avoiding common pitfalls is important! The video also covers what to expect after the food trial is done!

Here's a fantastic blog written by a veterinary nutritionist:

Here's a handout about food trials:

Here is a link to the WSAVA organization, if you wish to learn more!

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Please comment suggesting any subject that you would like Dr. Em to cover next and like this video if you learned something today!

[rebeccashoemaker]

Loved this video. Considering doing a food trial for my 13yo. Hoping you’ll do a video for pups who are allergic to dust, pollen, etc.. Thank you!

[GailRocco-dj]

Very informative. Wonderful video. My cat had chronic vomiting. She just had an ultrasound. A moderate case of Pancreatitis with a possible case of IBD. Problem being I have gone through this scenario before. Unfortunately most often they won’t eat the hydrolized food. I am willing to try but wondering what might be the next option if any if she refuses to eat the hydrolized food?
For now gave her Cerenia a few days. Going to start Prednisolone next week to reduce inflammation to make her more comfortable right now. Thank you so much.

[cangel]

Thank you for the details video. My dog is currently doing a food trial now, and it really helps to learn more about the process. My derma vet has explain to me, but you know, its kinda nervious in the office, and this video helps me remember some of the process. You mentioned you might do a video on environmental allergy. I wonder if you did a video on that? I did look around the videos that you make so far, but couldn't find those information. Thank you so much.

[smleclerc]

OMG. One of my cats was put on Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein dry food a year ago, but we were never advised to stop feeding him the OTC wet foods. I'm going to have to talk with my vet about this. The food is so expensive and it sounds like I was inadvertently negating it.

[vicki]

Thanks for this helpful video. I'm just starting my spaniel on a food trial (Hill's Z/D kibble) suggested by my vet because she's had a fungal ear infection for 2.5 months in spite of medications and cleaning. I know the basics on food trials but your video gave me some helpful details -- I was wondering if I could still allow her to eat bits of carrots / veggies when I cook (no!) and also I will try your idea of getting the same formula canned to use for her nightly Pepcid. I am now using mini marshmallows instead of pill pockets, but the canned hydrolyzed food is probably better. Also I like your suggestion of transitioning back to the previous diet if improvement is unclear (rather than moving on to some other new diet). Thank you!

[judithb]

This is such a good video. I accidentally kept brushing my dog’s teeth with his beef flavoured toothpaste when he was on a food trial. I only realized I was doing that when his vet gave him extra toothpaste as part of a prize and I thought “why would she do that; he can’t have toothpaste” 🤦🏼‍♀️

[lesliemeek]

My dog has both food and environmental allergies and is on a strict diet of Rayne Nutrition rabbit or kangaroo food and treats. No flavored toys, no bones/chews, no flavored medicine, gelatin capsules, etc. BUT WHAT DO I DO ABOUT DENTAL CARE for my small dog? What water additives, toothpaste, and chews can I use for a dog that cannot have anything flavored? Please advise.

[gu]

When re-introducing one ingredient, how do you go about reintroducing proteins? For instances, if you want to reintroduce salmon, do you use cooked salmon as a treat for a few weeks, or can you use otc pet treats that have salmon as their first ingredient.

[camilog.]

Thanks for the videos! My 6yo cat has been overgrooming and nibbling her lower belly to the point there's no more hair and started damaging the skin. Can this be a food allergy? Vet said it could be flea allergy (she's indoor cat but the upstairs cat wasn't and she moved aways) and we started treatment a month ago and there's no improvement (and I never saw fleas).

[Kristen-]

Spent over $800 for storage mite dry dog food
Allergy blood test

[antzval]

What if we cant afford any of those? 😢

[astpify]

Can cats have food allergy without skin issues? Can food allergy in cats cause SIBO?

[solitaire]

My son's 8 month old dog has intermittent loose stools and occasional diarrhoea.
He has Purina pro gastrointestinal which has helped but it's expensive as a long term solution for a 25kg dog who is still growing and hasn't completely solved the problem.
Any suggestions please? We are in the UK.

[lucyhorikawa]

Do you know if there's any wet food hypoallergenic diet for a 5 month cat? I will not be able to get her to eat dry food for 3 months straight.