Food Allergies in Animals Could Be More Widespread Than Previously Assumed

According to specialists at the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the frequency of lactose intolerance and other food-related allergies in pets might be higher than we realize. Their findings were detailed in the journal Allergy.

Allergies and autoimmune disorders are on the rise globally. While the exact reasons remain uncertain, numerous studies point to overly sanitized environments and heavily processed diets as potential disruptors of our microbial balance.

This trend isn’t limited to humans. Our pets, including dogs, cats, and even horses, are also experiencing similar symptoms, such as itching, cramping, or wheezing, notes Isabella Pali-Schöll, the lead researcher from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna.

"Allergies are not exclusive to humans; virtually all mammals can develop them, as their immune systems are capable of producing immunoglobulin E," Pali-Schöll stated in a release.

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is an antibody produced when the body encounters an allergen. While its purpose is to protect us, allergic reactions occur when the immune system misidentifies harmless substances like wheat, eggs, milk, peanuts, or seafood as dangerous toxins. This IgE response can lead to symptoms such as hives, breathing difficulties, nausea, and even anaphylaxis.

While humans typically seek medical attention for allergy symptoms, animals lack this ability (and likely wouldn’t visit a doctor even if they could). The report highlights the challenges in identifying food allergies in pets, noting that their reactions are often more subtle and harder to detect.

"The exact prevalence of food allergies in dogs, cats, and horses remains unclear," the authors note. Estimates vary significantly based on diagnostic methods, with studies suggesting that food allergies affect between six and 25 percent of dogs and 0.22 to 22 percent of cats. For horses, the evidence is largely anecdotal, with only a few cases documented in scientific literature.

Identifying allergies in pets is similar to diagnosing them in humans, with the key difference being that animals cannot communicate their symptoms. Veterinarians frequently rely on elimination diets to pinpoint the cause of a pet’s discomfort.

"Throughout the diagnostic phase, the animal is fed either homemade meals or a specialized diet recommended by a veterinarian. Only after this period, and if no severe allergic reactions have occurred, can regular food be slowly reintroduced," explained Pali-Schöll.

Similar to human allergy management, the most effective approach is often to completely avoid triggering foods. Since most commercial pet foods contain grains, meat, and soy, this can be challenging, but the reward is a healthier and more content pet.

Researchers are actively developing medications to eliminate pet allergies entirely. "Initial trial phases have shown promising results," Pali-Schöll noted. "However, it will take several more years before any products are commercially available and widely used."

In conclusion, the authors emphasized that there is still much to uncover about the prevalence and mechanisms of these conditions in our animal companions.