{"id":37,"date":"2025-04-06T18:59:59","date_gmt":"2025-04-06T18:59:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/feedrightapp.com\/?p=37"},"modified":"2025-04-15T20:15:32","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T20:15:32","slug":"allergen-testing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/feedrightapp.com\/?p=37","title":{"rendered":"Allergen Testing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Getting your dog an allergen test can save you a ton <\/em>of time. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best and worst part of having a dog is that they can’t talk. When I’m upset, nothing sounds better than my best buddy talking me up and telling me what he thinks. But at the same time, I don\u2019t really want to hear about how bored he is or how much he dislikes when I go somewhere without him. Such is life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since dogs can\u2019t tell us how they feel, we have to observe their behavior and physical traits to figure out how best to take care of them. We examine their coat, behavior, and, yes, even the piles they leave on the lawn to get an idea of what\u2019s happening in their bodies. But that\u2019s about it, making the process pretty inefficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The easiest and best way to take care of our furry friends is to give them the right food. Dogs’ lives are simple. They want to run, play, jump, sniff, chew, and otherwise terrorize our yards. For them to do all that, they need healthy guts, skin, muscles, bones, teeth, etc. And it all starts with their food. You can supplement all you want, but we are what we eat\u2014and that\u2019s no different for our four-legged friends. This means we have to find the right food, without them being able to tell us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what is the right food?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer isn\u2019t simple. We can look at individual breeds and gather statistics on what they\u2019re usually allergic to or what typically works best. But again, they can\u2019t talk. Your dog can\u2019t tell you, \u201cI get a tummy ache when you give me peanut butter.\u201d And what\u2019s usually best for a breed doesn\u2019t apply to all dogs. We\u2019re left with our observations, trial-and-error, and allergy tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to note that allergy testing isn\u2019t conclusive or even highly effective. Some methods have shown middling results at best. If you do choose to get one, know that they\u2019re not 100% accurate. I\u2019ve had three tests done for Rambo at various stages of his life. What I got was a bunch of papers listing ingredients to avoid. After three rounds, I just took the top ten repeated allergens and ran with those.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s really only one highly effective way to figure out what your dog can and can\u2019t eat, and that\u2019s an elimination diet. If you\u2019ve done one before, I get it\u2014you\u2019re probably groaning out loud right now. It\u2019s OK, buddy. They\u2019re worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why would anyone groan? Because elimination diets are time-consuming, often frustrating, and require intense attention to detail. They can take a long time to complete and demand strict discipline from you, the dog owner. Here\u2019s how an elimination diet goes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Reflection<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make a list of everything you\u2019ve given your dog over the past few months\u2014table scraps, crumbs on the floor, treats, food, even the types of sticks they\u2019ve chewed at the park. Then, go through every ingredient list you can find and write down every last thing they\u2019ve come into contact with over the past three months. This might even include the detergents you use on your clothes and the chemicals used to clean your house. It\u2019s a lot, so crack open a beer, order some Thai food, and get to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Figure out what they haven\u2019t eaten.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For most dogs, this will be something like duck or rabbit. Rambo was special because he was in a lavish daycare as a puppy. So for Ritzy Rambo, I had to get food with kangaroo in it (spoiled little…). Whatever it is for your dog, feed them this protein and nothing else for 6-12 weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few things to remember: keep your dog away from other dogs’ food bowls, shared water bowls, and food counters. Even trace amounts of other foods can trigger allergic reactions and ruin your efforts. Also, processed treats are completely off-limits. You\u2019ll need to be vigilant around other dogs and their owners. Not only will they be giving their dogs treats, but other dogs have… orifices that can ruin everything. You know what I mean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are alternatives for treats. Carrots are my go-to because they\u2019re the only vegetable Rambo will eat. Most veggies and some fruits are fine, but always check to make sure they\u2019re safe for your dog. If you need something to hide medications in or just want to spoil your dog, peanut butter works for me\u2014but be aware, your dog might be allergic to peanut butter too! It\u2019s all give and take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. The Journal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just writing those words irritates me. I have pages and pages of the dreaded “itch journal.” It’s exactly what it sounds like. I wrote down every time I saw my dog itching, chewing his paws, or acting squirmy. Then I\u2019d go back in my mind to figure out where he was or what he ate that day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Back to the old diet.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, you’ll be keeping the journal and doing the elimination diet for 6-12 weeks. Stay strong and disciplined. You should see improvement within 2-3 weeks. Rambo showed improvement in one! Turns out the poor guy was allergic to just about everything. Your vet will be your best friend during this time. I scheduled check-ins with a vet tech every week or two to monitor Rambo\u2019s weight, skin, etc., as we went through the process. His issues were mostly gastrointestinal, but skin problems take longer to improve, which is why the diet can last so long. Your vet can run tests to ensure everything\u2019s improving as it should.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, though, you\u2019ll have to return to the old food. This can be scary, especially if your intuition tells you the old food was the problem. But unfortunately, it\u2019s the only way to know for sure. If your dog starts having the same issues, go back to the limited diet they did well on and slowly reintroduce other ingredients. And don\u2019t forget to keep tracking everything in your journal!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you can see, elimination diets are a headache just to think about. That\u2019s why I advocate for allergy testing. For me, it was a game-changer. Rambo has so many allergies that it was almost impossible to find any food that didn\u2019t contain something he reacted to. During his elimination diet, I ended up making his food from scratch, which meant hours spent preparing meals on top of everything else\u2014work, walks, the park… you get the picture. While these tests aren\u2019t conclusive, they can save you a lot of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I had three tests done for Rambo, and for me, one clear winner emerged: 5Strands (link below). Based on the elimination diet and the other tests, this was the one that most accurately identified Rambo\u2019s allergies. Am I a PhD? Nah. A licensed vet? Nope. But this worked for me. The ~$100 I spent on the test narrowed down my options and saved me a lot of time, so now I recommend it to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Getting your dog an allergen test can save you a ton of time. The best and worst part of having a dog is that they can’t talk. When I’m upset, nothing sounds better than my best buddy talking me up and telling me what he thinks. 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