So, your pup is battling a food allergy, and now you’re battling the huge array of dog foods on the shelves. You’ve seen the labels “hypoallergenic” and “anallergenic”, but what do these terms mean, and is there a difference? In this article, we will break down the jargon, explain the difference between hypoallergenic and anallergenic dog food, and help you decide the best option for your dog's sensitivities.
Let’s start at the top - What is the difference between Hypoallergenic & Anallergenic Dog Food?
While both types of food are designed to minimise the risk of an allergic reaction, they differ in their preparation, purpose and recommended use. Hypoallergenic is defined as “having little likelihood of causing an allergic reaction”. Anallergenic goes a step further and means free of all allergens to the greatest possible extent.
The majority of mainstream dog foods contain common ingredients that are known allergens. These include dairy, wheat, beef and lamb. Although hypoallergenic dog food is less likely to cause an allergic reaction in your dog, it is not guaranteed to be completely free of allergens. If the primary protein and grain allergens are absent, dog food can be labelled “hypoallergenic”. This means some detective work is still required to scan the ingredient list.
On the other hand, anallergenic dog foods typically use fewer ingredients and often contain only one protein source and one carbohydrate source. This significantly reduces the risk of your dog coming into contact with an allergen. These proteins and carbohydrates are not commonly found in standard supermarket dog food. The manufacturing process is closely monitored to minimise the risk of contamination with potential allergens.
Two main processing methods characterise anallergenic dog food:
All proteins are hydrolysed (a swanky way of saying broken down by water), so the resulting protein chains are so small they can be digested without the immune system having a meltdown.
Purified carbohydrates are essentially carbohydrates that have been “cleaned” to remove nasties that could cause an allergic reaction.
Combining these two fancy processes creates a food that's gentle on the tummy and still packs a nutritional punch.
“Anallergenic dog is formulated to be as close to allergen-free as possible”, says Animed vet Jess Simmonds. “This is why it is the food we would prescribe for dogs with severe or complex allergies. This is a specialised diet and should generally be implemented under the guidance of your vet”.
Does my dog need Hypoallergenic Food?
Hypoallergenic food is recommended for dogs with mild to moderate food allergies or intolerances. It can be used as a long-term diet for dogs with manageable sensitivities. It is also good for dogs with sensitive skin or digestive systems. The protein and carbohydrate contained in hypoallergenic food come from less common sources such as salmon, duck and sweet potato. These ingredients are high in antioxidants and essential fatty acids, so while your dog may not be eating the go-to beef and chicken foods, you can be confident they are still getting the right balance of nutrients.
Does my dog need Anallergenic Food?
If you suspect your dog of having a food allergy and hypoallergenic food has not helped, then yes, it’s time to take a trip to see your vet and talk about anallergenic food. This specialised food is not intended for healthy dogs or those with mild intolerances and for this reason should only be used under vet supervision.
“Due to the absence of nearly all allergens, anallergenic food is the food we would prescribe when starting the elimination diet trial to pinpoint your dog’s allergy trigger”, says Jess. “Once your dog’s system has settled, we can gradually reintroduce ingredients to find the offending allergen. Owners must work closely with their vet as their dog’s diet will be very individual and tailored. Regular monitoring and adjustments ensure we see the best results in each case. This diet is an investment of time and effort, but it leads to a dog who is happy, healthy and comfortable”.
How to manage dog food allergies
Managing food allergies in dogs does call for careful attention and, in most cases, record keeping. As allergies can present themselves in many different ways, such as skin issues, gastrointestinal problems, and even behavioural changes, it is essential to take a methodical approach to identify the culprit responsible. Keeping a food diary (yes, even dogs benefit from food diaries) will make it easier to look back and link triggers to certain foods.
Once your dog has completed its elimination diet course and you and your vet have identified what they are allergic to, choosing a high-quality hypoallergenic food is the best way to minimise exposure to the allergen.
Seeing your dog struggle with a food allergy can be distressing, but once you’ve identified the trigger and are both “on the other side,” life can return to almost normal as long as you stick to foods that do not contain your dog’s allergy trigger. In this day and age, there is a relative abundance to choose from. These sensitive dogs just require a little extra attention to detail.
Recommended Hypoallergenic Dog Food
Here at Animed, we stock a variety of quality hypoallergenic dog foods all in one place to make it easy to find the one that entices your dog’s taste buds every dinnertime! Royal Canin is renowned for its range of hypoallergenic food, available in dry and wet food and handy treats. Royal Canin’s hypoallergenic food contains highly digestible starches and proteins making it easy on the tummy and reducing the risk of allergy. Hill’s Science Plan is another highly reputable dog food. Their gentle grain-free recipe uses novel protein sources from fish, making it ideal for sensitive dogs. Other quality brands include James Wellbeloved, Scrumbles, Burns and Forthglade. In short, you’re looking for recipes containing proteins from fish or less common meats such as duck or venison and carbs from vegetables instead of grains.
You’ve Got the Food Nailed – Other Things to Keep in Mind
As with humans who have an allergy to a particular food, the smallest exposure could trigger an attack, and it’s the same for your dog. Be sure to wash all items when feeding your dog and use separate feeding equipment to minimise the risk of contamination. No rogue proteins here please. It’s also important that everyone in the house understands your dog's anti-allergy diet. An information sheet kept in the cupboard with your dog’s food is excellent for jogging everyone’s memory. Keep anallergenic food sealed and stored correctly. This is paramount to stop any allergens inadvertently making their way into the bag.
Managing food allergies in your dog can be challenging at times, but it will ultimately be rewarding when you see them thriving and living life to the fullest!
