My dog is super sensitive. Can they be vegan?

Calling all pet parents with sensitive pups! Whether your dog is itching, having digestive issues, or suffering from runny eyes, a diet change may help relieve their symptoms. Here are 4 things you should know when it comes to food sensitivities in dogs.

#1 - Dogs are commonly sensitive to animal proteins.

A 2016 study found that beef, dairy products, and chicken were the top 3 most prevalent food allergens for dogs, even above grains like wheat and corn. While grain-free diets are heavily marketed in the pet food industry, animal products are often the issue. "What surprises many pet owners is that grains are actually uncommon causes of food allergies – most pets are allergic to animal proteins," says Tufts University's Clinical Nutrition team.

#2 - Blood allergy tests are inconclusive.

Some veterinary allergy labs conduct food allergy blood tests, but according to veterinarian Dr. Lorelei Wakefield, the only way to diagnose a food allergy is with a dietary elimination trial. "Food allergy blood tests are not considered accurate by veterinary dermatologists," she says. "They can generate false positives." Fully removing a potential allergen from your pup's diet is the best way to determine if they have been reacting to it.

#3 - Slower transitions are better for sensitive pups.

If your pup is prone to allergy symptoms, take any diet change at a slower pace. At v-dog we recommend a 5-10 day transition period, but this can be extended to 2-3 weeks for pups who are more sensitive. Start with 1/4 portion of the new food and 3/4 portion of the old food, and slowly swap the ratios until you reach 100% of the new food, monitoring your pup along the way for symptoms.

dog eating kibble

#4 - Many dog parents report improvement in symptoms after switching their pup to a vegan diet.

At v-dog, we hear it from so many customers: sensitive and allergy-prone pups see huge improvements in their symptoms when they transition to a fully plant-based diet. All v-dog products are free of corn, soy, wheat, and of course, animal products. Check out our allergy testimonials here to read their stories, and reach out to our customer happiness team at support@v-dog.com if you have any questions about our products.

V-dog's plant-powered dog food is nutritionally complete and meets all AAFCO standards, making it an easy swap for your current kibble. Since 2005, we've seen thousands of dogs thrive on our 100% vegan kibble and treats. Learn more at v-dog.com.