Egg Allergy in Dogs: Vet Reviewed Signs, Causes & Treatments

Most pet parents are likely familiar with the uncomfortableness of allergies, perhaps suffering from allergies themselves or knowing another who does. Dogs, just like people, can and do suffer from a vast range of allergies, with different food ingredients being one such trigger. Although food allergies are seen less than environmental allergies, they can occur at age in any breed even if they have eaten that particular food before and been completely fine with it prior.

Eggs are a common ingredient used in many diets and treats or in home-cooked food that may be offered to dogs, but unfortunately, this relatively popular food ingredient can cause allergies and one study showed it affected  4% of dogs who had adverse food reactions. So, what is an allergy to eggs, and how can we best look after our dogs if they have an allergy to eggs?

What Is an Egg Allergy?

An egg allergy means your dog has developed a negative immune response towards, most likely, the protein in eggs. Certain food proteins—for reasons that can be a mystery—cause your dog’s immune system to mistake the protein as a threat. The system, therefore, initiates defensive antibodies to rid the body of this protein that it believes (wrongly) is harmful.

In turn, this produces a bunch of unpleasant problems and issues that your dog begins to experience. These will continue for as long as the egg is still part of their diet or treats fed to them.

What Are the Signs of Egg Allergy in Dogs?

Signs of food allergies all tend to follow the same pattern despite the source of the individual food causing the reaction. If any of these signs are noticed, or they suddenly begin to occur, be sure to have your dog checked over by your veterinarian. They may show only one of these or a few.

What Are the Causes of Egg Allergies?

The most common cause of food allergies is the protein portion of the food itself, especially the proteins found in dairy, beef, chicken, soy, wheat, and eggs. Occasionally, it can be additives causing the allergic response. Either way, the body produces an abundance of antibodies, as it believes the protein source or additive is a foreign body and harmful to the system, so it begins to attack it.

It would not be unusual for your dog to develop an egg allergy later in life, as sometimes, food allergies can take months or years to appear. Once an allergy is diagnosed and is present it is likely that the specific food, in this case eggs, will always cause a negative response for your dog, unfortunately.

How Is an Egg Allergy Diagnosed in Dogs?

Diagnosing a food allergy can be a tricky and time consuming process, and does require some patience. As the signs and symptoms displayed by food allergies can also be caused by various other health concerns, your veterinarian will take a broad approach and first rule out any other health issues, such as gastrointestinal conditions, or parasitic skin diseases. If those results are all negative, your vet may discuss an elimination diet trial with you.

Food trials should be done under the direction of your vet and involve feeding a specific diet for at least 8 weeks, with no other treats, other foods or even flavored medication in that time. Either a diet containing a novel protein (one your dog has never had before), or a prescription hydrolyzed diet is used. Hydrolyzed diets have their proteins broken down to a small size which is not recognized by the immune system and so doesn’t trigger a reaction.

Testing for food allergies via blood tests are commercially available, but unfortunately are not considered to be accurate.

How Do I Care for a Dog With an Egg Allergy?

While there is no cure or magic pill for egg allergies, caring for your dog now that you know they have the allergy is relatively easy. Obtaining the diagnosis is the most difficult and frustrating part, but it all becomes a lot easier and smoother when you know the cause of the problem.

If the allergy is not treated or ignored, then yes, more serious problems for your dog can occur over time. If the allergy is managed well, your dog (and you) will live, for the most part, a normal life. Flare-ups generally happen periodically. For example, their skin may suddenly become itchy. Any flare-ups, irrespective of which signs it produces, can usually be treated with medication prescribed by your veterinarian.

You will likely be advised to change to a suitable diet to feed your dog, meaning one that doesn’t contain eggs. Egg is one of the simpler ingredients to spot in food, and it will be listed on the ingredients list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an Allergy to Chicken Mean an Allergy to Eggs as Well?

Due to the proteins in the meat of chicken being very different from those proteins found in eggs, an allergy to chicken does not automatically mean an allergy to eggs also. Food allergies to chicken are more common than those to eggs.

What Is the Difference Between a Food Intolerance and a Food Allergy?

A food intolerance is an adverse food reaction where the immune system is not involved. For example, lactose intolerance causes abdominal discomfort and diarrhea and is due to a lack of lactase enzyme.

An allergy is an immune response by the body. The body essentially mistakes the said food substance as being a harmful substance, and the body is subsequently triggered into producing defensive antibodies against the said food. Proteins such as chicken and dairy are common examples of foods causing allergies.

In many cases distinguishing between allergies and intolerances can be very difficult with the signs, diagnosis and treatment options similar.

Can You Cure a Food Allergy?

Unfortunately, no. However, in the future, veterinary medicine could potentially evolve enough to develop a cure, but for now, food allergies can be well maintained with a proper and correct diet.

Conclusion

Allergies have unfortunately become a part of modern times both for humans and pets. In dogs food allergies most commonly cause signs affecting the skin and/or GI tract, and vary in severity. Diagnosis involves an elimination diet trial but fortunately diet ranges, treatment options and choices have improved over the years. It is important to seek a diagnosis out, and once a plan is in place, you will find life for your dog becomes easier and more comfortable.

• See Also: Are Dogs Allergic to Grapes? Vet Approved Facts & FAQs

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