What is an Elimination Diet? Common Mistakes dog owners make
As a responsible pet parent, it's natural to want the best for your dog, especially when they exhibit signs of food allergies or intolerances. An elimination diet can be a powerful tool to identify and manage these issues. However, the process is often misunderstood, and many dog owners make critical mistakes that can hinder its effectiveness. In this blog, we'll explore when an elimination diet is appropriate, what foods to use, and the common errors to avoid.
When is an Elimination Diet Helpful for Dogs?
An elimination diet is a controlled feeding plan that involves removing potential allergens from your dog's diet to identify what may be causing adverse reactions. It can be beneficial in cases where your dog shows symptoms like:
Chronic itching or scratching (especially around the face, paws, or ears)
Recurring ear infections
Gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea, bloating and reflux)
Red, inflamed skin or hot spots
Lethargy or restlessness
If your vet suspects that your dog may have a food allergy or intolerance, an elimination diet is often the first step to pinpoint the offending ingredient. It’s important to note that not all the above symptoms will come from food intolerances but can come from environmental allergens
Foods to Use in an Elimination Diet
The goal of an elimination diet is to provide your dog with a simple, hypoallergenic diet for at least 8–12 weeks to eliminate different proteins that may be causing a reaction. The more proteins you trial the longer the process will take. During this time, you'll feed your dog a "novel protein" and a "novel carbohydrate" — ingredients they haven't been exposed to before.
Some common choices include:
Novel Proteins: Venison, duck, rabbit, kangaroo, quail or even exotic meats like ostrich or horse.
Novel Carbohydrates: Sweet potatoes, quinoa, or tapioca or psyllium husk are often used as they are less likely to cause allergic reactions or
Prescription hydrolysed protein diets, which contain proteins broken down into such small particles that they are less likely to trigger an allergic response, may also be recommended by your veterinarian.
Now, let’s dive into some of the most common mistakes dog owners make when conducting an elimination diet.
1. Not Consulting a professional First
Mistake: Skipping professional guidance before starting an elimination diet.
Why it’s a problem: Food-related symptoms like itching or digestive upset can mimic those of other health conditions. In some cases, environmental allergies, parasites, or underlying diseases could be the culprit, not food sensitivities. If these issues aren't ruled out first, you may put your dog through an unnecessary and lengthy process without addressing the root cause.
Solution: Always consult your veterinarian before starting an elimination diet. They can run tests, recommend specific foods, and rule out other health conditions first.
2. Introducing Multiple New Ingredients at Once
Mistake: Feeding a variety of new foods during the elimination diet.
Why it’s a problem: The whole point of the diet is to isolate the trigger. If you introduce several new proteins or carbohydrates at the same time, it becomes impossible to identify which ingredient (if any) is causing an adverse reaction.
Solution: Stick to a single novel protein and a single novel carbohydrate throughout the duration of the diet. Once the diet phase is complete, you can slowly reintroduce other ingredients one at a time, monitoring your dog for symptoms.
3. Not feeding a balanced diet
Mistake: Not feeding a balanced diet during the elimination diet.
Why it’s a problem: An Elimination diet can take months so it’s important to ensure your dog is getting everything they need. Not feeding a balanced diet can cause symptoms that are very similar to intolerances.
Solution: Consult with a canine nutritionist to look at formulating a balanced food. Alternatively, there are several foods out there that are nutritionally complete and single proteins.
3. Not Sticking to the Elimination Diet Strictly
Mistake: Offering treats, table scraps, or flavored medications during the elimination phase.
Why it’s a problem: Even small amounts of other foods or treats can skew the results of the diet. Many dog treats or table scraps contain common allergens like chicken, beef, or wheat. Even flavored medications can contain proteins that can trigger symptoms.
Solution: Be extremely strict about the diet. This means no treats, no table scraps, and checking the ingredients in any medications or supplements your dog is taking. You can use the novel protein and carb as treats or find specialized hypoallergenic treats that align with the diet.
4. Not Giving the Diet Enough Time
Mistake: Expecting quick results or stopping the diet prematurely.
Why it’s a problem: Food allergies take time to resolve. In most cases, you won’t see significant improvements for at least 4–6 weeks, and the elimination diet needs to continue for 8–12 weeks for conclusive results. If you stop too early, you might not get a clear picture of which food is causing the problem.
Solution: Commit to the full duration of the diet, even if symptoms seem to improve early on. Be patient and follow through with the process, as improvements often take time.
5. Not Properly Reintroducing Foods
Mistake: Reintroducing multiple foods too quickly once the elimination phase is over.
Why it’s a problem: If you reintroduce several ingredients all at once, it will be impossible to identify which one might be causing a reaction. This step needs to be as methodical as the elimination phase itself.
Solution: Once your dog’s symptoms have cleared up, reintroduce one new food at a time. Allow 10-14 days between each new ingredient to monitor for any signs of a reaction. If symptoms reappear, you can identify the offending ingredient and remove it permanently. It’s important that if there’s a reaction you go back to the safe protein for 1-2 weeks to allow for a reset before trying the next protein.
6. Switching to Commercial “Limited Ingredient” Diets Prematurely
Mistake: Assuming that over-the-counter limited ingredient diets are as effective as a vet-supervised elimination diet.
Why it’s a problem: Many limited ingredient commercial foods contain trace amounts of common allergens or aren't as controlled as a vet-prescribed elimination diet. These foods are often processed on the same machinery as other products, leading to cross-contamination.
Solution: Stick with a home-prepared diet or a veterinarian-recommended prescription diet for the elimination phase. Once you've identified the allergen, you can explore commercial options for long-term feeding, but during the elimination process, strict control is essential.
7. Ignoring Other Environmental Factors
Mistake: Overlooking environmental triggers that could be causing your dog’s symptoms.
Why it’s a problem: Dogs can have environmental allergies that mirror food allergies, such as pollen, dust mites, or mold. If you only focus on food without considering these factors, you might miss the true cause of your dog’s discomfort.
Solution: While conducting the elimination diet, ensure that your dog's environment is as controlled as possible. Clean their bedding frequently, limit exposure to known allergens, and work with your vet to address possible environmental triggers.
Conclusion
Conducting an elimination diet for your dog can be a highly effective way to pinpoint food allergies or intolerances, but it requires commitment and attention to detail. Avoid common mistakes like rushing the process, feeding additional treats, or skipping veterinary advice. With a strict, well-planned approach, you’ll be better equipped to discover which foods may be contributing to your dog’s health issues and, ultimately, improve their quality of life. Join The Canine Code now and download the Elimination Diet Guide today
Always remember that working closely with a veterinarian is essential for success. Their guidance ensures that you’re on the right track and helps safeguard your dog’s health throughout the process.