Can Dogs Have Peanut Allergies and How to Identify Them

Dogs can indeed develop peanut allergies, just like humans. According to research, peanut allergies in dogs are relatively rare, but they can be severe and potentially life-threatening.

Symptoms of a peanut allergy in dogs can be subtle and may resemble other common canine health issues, such as skin problems or digestive issues.

Peanut allergies can cause an immune system reaction in dogs, leading to the release of histamine and other chemicals that cause allergic symptoms.

A fresh viewpoint: What Food Gives Dogs Diarrhea

A dog can develop a hypersensitivity reaction to peanuts, which can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and urticaria.

A 9-year-old schnauzer dog experienced these symptoms after ingesting peanuts, and the clinical signs resolved rapidly after treatment with prednisolone and antihistamine.

Peanut ingestion can cause urticaria in dogs, as evidenced by the first reported case in a dog.

Symptoms of a peanut allergy in dogs can include generalized erythema and conjunctival hyperemia.

Consider reading: Dogs Eating Peanuts

Dogs can exhibit a range of symptoms when they have a peanut allergy. These symptoms can be categorized into two main groups: gastrointestinal and behavioral issues.

Gastrointestinal symptoms include diarrhea with or without blood and/or mucus in stool, straining to pass stool, vomiting, and abdominal pain. These symptoms are not as common as skin symptoms, affecting only 10 to 30 percent of dogs with confirmed food allergies.

Behavioral issues include frequent scratching of self on furniture, owner's legs, etc., restlessness, frequent shaking ears or scratching ears, biting at paws, rear end, and/or tail, withdrawal or reduced interest in playtime, and anorexia, or disinterest in or refusal of food. These symptoms can be a sign of a food allergy, but they can also be associated with other allergies, such as environmental and flea bite allergies.

Some common signs of food allergies in dogs include persistent itching, licking, or chewing different areas of their body, getting secondary yeast or bacterial skin or ear infections, or gastrointestinal signs like repeated vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive gas.

Discover more: What Are Signs of Allergies in Dogs

Hair loss and skin issues can be a real problem for dogs with food allergies. Itching is the single most common symptom of food allergies in dogs.

If your dog is experiencing hair loss, it's possible that it's related to a food allergy. According to the most common signs of food allergies in dogs, hair loss is one of the symptoms you might see.

Here are some common skin issues that can be linked to food allergies in dogs:

If your dog is experiencing any of these skin issues, it's a good idea to consult with a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause. They can help you rule out other allergies, such as environmental and flea bite allergies, and recommend a proper food trial to diagnose and manage food allergies in dogs.

Behavioral Issues can be a real challenge for dog owners. Frequent scratching of self on furniture, owner's legs, and other surfaces is a common symptom of a food allergy in dogs.

Restlessness is another issue that can arise due to food allergies. This can manifest as constant pacing, whining, or acting out in other ways.

Dogs with food allergies may also exhibit frequent shaking of their ears or scratching at them. This can be a sign that your dog is uncomfortable or in pain.

Biting at paws, rear end, and/or tail can be a sign of food allergy symptoms in dogs. This behavior is often accompanied by other signs of discomfort or pain.

Withdrawal or reduced interest in playtime can be a sign that your dog is suffering from a food allergy. If your dog normally loves to play, but suddenly seems disinterested, it may be worth investigating food allergies.

Anorexia, or disinterest in or refusal of food, is a serious symptom of a food allergy in dogs. If your dog is not eating, it's essential to consult with a veterinarian to determine the cause.

Diascopy is a diagnostic technique that can be used to assess skin symptoms in dogs with allergies, such as the dog in Figure 2 who was diagnosed with a peanut allergy.

Blanching erythema, a type of skin reaction, was observed in the dog after pressing with a glass slide during the discomfy procedure.

If you suspect your dog has a peanut allergy, it's essential to consult with a veterinarian to rule out other potential causes of symptoms.

Environmental allergies, such as flea allergies, are far more common than food allergies, so your vet may recommend a combination of blood tests and/or intradermal allergy testing to assess environmental allergies.

Your vet can help identify and treat fleas, or do a combination of blood tests and/or intradermal allergy testing to assess environmental allergies.

To determine if your dog's symptoms are due to a food allergy, your vet may look for the following signs:

During a trial, your veterinarian will guide you on how to administer the prescribed diet and water to your dog. Ensure that monthly preventatives, like heartworm and ectoparasite preventatives, are not flavored.

It's essential to thoroughly clean all food bowls with soap and water before starting the new diet. This helps prevent any cross-contamination from other pets in the household.

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To prevent stomach upset, you'll need to gradually introduce the trial diet over a period of three to seven days. This can be done by mixing equal quantities of your dog's original diet with the new diet, gradually reducing the amount of the original diet.

You'll need to avoid giving your dog treats and any other potential allergen sources during the trial. This includes supplements, oils, peanut butter, bones, and any other potential allergens.

Here's a list of what to avoid giving your dog during the trial:

The trial typically lasts for eight weeks, which allows the immune system to adjust to the new diet. It may take up to eight weeks to see an improvement or reduction in your dog's clinical signs.

If you suspect your dog has a food allergy, it's essential to rule out environmental allergies first. Your vet can help identify and treat fleas, or perform blood tests and/or intradermal allergy testing to assess environmental allergies.

Explore further: Environmental Allergies in Dogs

Environmental allergies are much more common in dogs, and they often manifest in seasonal changes or different parts of the country. If your dog's symptoms don't change with the seasons or when you travel, it's likely not an environmental allergy.

If your dog experiences symptoms at a very young age, typically under the age of 1, it's more likely a food allergy. Puppies under 1 don't typically experience environmental allergies.

If your dog's reaction doesn't respond to steroids, it could be a sign of a food allergy. Steroids are often used to treat environmental allergies.

If your dog has both skin and gastrointestinal symptoms, it's a strong indication of a food allergy. This is because food allergies often affect multiple systems in the body.

Here are the key signs that might indicate a food allergy in your dog:

Treating a peanut allergy in dogs requires some careful steps. Once your dog's allergen is identified, it's essential to avoid all treats, supplements, and foods containing that allergen.

Retail pet foods labeled as "limited-ingredient" may not be suitable for dogs with peanut allergies due to the potential risk of cross-contamination. This means you'll need to carefully read labels and choose a hypoallergenic diet.

Your veterinarian may prescribe medications to manage your dog's symptoms, such as allergy medications like Apoquel or Cytopoint, antihistamines, or steroids. These can help alleviate itching and inflammation.

Regular follow-up appointments with your veterinarian are crucial to track your dog's progress and make any necessary adjustments to their diet. This will help ensure your dog is getting the right treatment and staying on track.

Antihistamines like Benadryl can be used to minimize itching, and they're relatively safe and vet-approved for use at home. However, it's essential to get your vet's OK before giving your dog any over-the-counter medication or remedy.

A diet with a different composition from the one currently being fed can often improve symptoms, especially if it's a food intolerance rather than an allergy. This means a simple change of diet can be just as effective as a complex elimination diet.

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Dogs can develop allergies to various protein sources, and the most common food allergens are beef, dairy, chicken, wheat, soy, and eggs. These protein sources are often found in dog food, which may explain why they're so common.

According to a study, the top dog food allergens are beef (34%), dairy products (17%), chicken (15%), wheat (13%), soy (6%), lamb (5%), corn (4%), egg (4%), pork (2%), fish (2%), and rice (2%). It's worth noting that newer research is needed to determine if these allergens remain the most common.

Some ingredients are generally safer for dogs, such as starches, which are low in or free of protein. However, whole potatoes might cause an allergy because they contain proteins.

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Food allergies in dogs are caused by their immune system overreacting to certain ingredients in their diet, usually proteins.

These proteins can be found in common dog foods, such as beef, dairy, and wheat.

Food allergies in dogs are less common than environmental allergies, but they can still cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms.

Dogs can develop allergies to any protein or carbohydrate they've been exposed to, but the most common food allergies are chicken, beef, dairy, wheat, soy, and eggs.

The most common allergy is protein specific, but dogs can be allergic to more than one food ingredient.

Itching is the single most common symptom of a food allergy in dogs.

Other signs of food allergies in dogs include sneezing, itchy paws, hot spots, skin rashes, scaly and/or oily skin, pigmented skin, leathery skin texture, eye discharge, red eyes, hair loss, ear infections, and secondary yeast or bacterial infections.

Only 10 to 30 percent of dogs with confirmed food allergies have gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea.

Meat, dairy, and eggs are often thought to be the most common dog food allergens, but it's usually the protein part of those foods that tend to be problematic.

Here are the top dog food allergens, from most-reported to least-reported:

Starches are generally safer for dogs to eat, as they are low in or free of protein, making it less likely for dogs to be allergic to them.