We humans might be particularly sensitive when it comes to various allergies. Dairy, nuts, cat dandruff — you name it and chances are there’s a person out there who is allergic to it. Eggs are another common allergen for people, but can dogs be allergic to eggs, too?
While environmental allergies to things like pollen are more common for dogs, food allergies are still a problem for our canine companions.
In this article, we’ll explore egg allergies in dogs and discuss the signs, how vets test for and diagnose food allergies, and what you can do if your dog has an allergy to eggs.
What Are Food Allergies in Dogs?
Before we delve into whether dogs can be allergic to eggs, let’s briefly cover canine food allergies in general.
Food allergies occur when a dog’s immune system mistakenly recognizes a food-based ingredient as a potential threat. Despite the common misconception that dogs don’t tolerate wheat or corn, proteins (like chicken) are actually the most common food allergy culprits in dogs.
What follows next is an immune response, or what we often refer to as an allergic reaction. This can manifest in many ways, including skin irritations, breathing issues, or sometimes even vomiting. In dogs, skin issues are the most common result of food allergies, followed by gastrointestinal signs. Breathing issues resulting from food allergies are uncommon in dogs.
Difference Between Food Allergies and Food Intolerances
It’s important to note that true food allergies in dogs are different from food intolerances or sensitivities. If a dog has an intolerance or sensitivity to a certain food, symptoms are typically restricted to the digestive tract. Because food allergies are triggered by a dog’s immune system, they tend to be more systemic and can affect multiple areas of your dog’s body.
Can Dogs Be Allergic to Eggs?
The short answer is yes, dogs can be allergic to eggs. But there is so much more you need to know, so stick with us.
Eggs are packed with protein. This makes them a staple of many commercial dog food brands. After all, eggs are a great source of energy for dogs. However, if a dog develops an allergy to eggs, finding a dog food without eggs as an ingredient is essential.
The issues usually lie with the proteins found in both the egg whites and the yolks. Sometimes, certain dogs’ immune systems will falsely flag these proteins as a threat to the body and start releasing chemicals such as histamines to combat the perceived threat. The release of these chemicals causes the outward signs of the dog’s egg allergy.
Symptoms of Egg Allergies in Dogs
Symptoms of egg allergies in dogs can be divided into four categories.
Skin Issues
The first category is skin issues. Itchy, inflamed skin (i.e., dermatitis) is the most common symptom of a food allergy dogs. Your dog may obsessively scratch, lick, or bite at their skin. Additionally, you may notice hot spots, rashes, or even hives on your dog’s skin. Scratching at inflamed skin can lead to secondary skin infections. Dogs with allergic skin disease may also develop ear infections. It’s common to notice redness of the skin on the paws, as well.
Digestive Problems
While skin issues are more common, dogs with egg allergies may also develop symptoms associated with the digestive system.
Affected dogs may experience vomiting, diarrhea, excessive gas, and bloating.
Respiratory Symptoms
Although less common, some dogs may experience respiratory symptoms such as sneezing or coughing in relation to egg allergies.
In more severe cases, dogs can start wheezing or have difficulty breathing. If your dog is having trouble breathing, take them to an emergency veterinarian or animal hospital immediately. This can be a sign of anaphylaxis, which is often fatal if untreated.
Behavioral Changes
Aside from physical symptoms, egg allergies can manifest as subtle changes in your dog’s behavior.
For example, dogs with egg allergies may become lethargic or less active than usual. On the other end of the spectrum, there are also cases of dogs becoming more irritable and restless because they’re uncomfortable. You may notice your dog having difficulty settling at night, for example.
Diagnosing an Egg Allergy in Dogs
If you think your dog might be experiencing symptoms similar to those of an egg allergy, you should get in touch with your veterinarian.
The veterinarian can help you assess whether your dog’s reaction is due to eggs or a different type of allergen. Here are some things veterinarians may suggest when trying to diagnose an egg allergy.
Elimination Diet
The primary method used to diagnose food allergies, including egg allergies, is an elimination diet. This is when pet parents completely cut out the ingredients their dog is currently eating from their dog’s diet for a period of time — usually 2 to 3 months. During this time, a dog is typically fed an allergy food. Often, these allergy diets are a prescription hydrolyzed protein or novel protein diet. During the trial, the dog cannot eat anything except the allergy food, including treats, human foods, and flavored medicines. If your dog’s allergy symptoms go away during this period, a food allergy is likely.
To confirm a food allergy, you can gradually reintroduce ingredients back into your pet’s diet after completing the initial elimination period. This reintroduction phase is called the challenge. If your dog has an egg allergy, symptoms will usually start returning within a few days of reintroducing eggs but can sometimes take a couple weeks to appear.
Skin Tests
Skin tests, such as an IDAT (intradermal allergen testing), can also be used to check for environmental allergies. While skin tests won’t diagnose a dog egg allergy, they can help veterinarians rule out other potential causes of your dog’s allergy symptoms. The veterinarian will also want to rule out the presence of fleas, as some dogs can develop an allergic reaction to flea saliva.
A quick note on blood tests! Blood tests for allergies are not accurate for diagnosing food allergies in dogs. Skin tests are the standard for environmental allergies. Most dermatologists do not rely on blood testing for allergy diagnosis in dogs.
What to Do If Your Dog Is Allergic to Eggs
Okay, so you’ve confirmed that your dog is allergic to eggs. What now?
Here’s what to do if your dog is allergic to eggs:
- Stop feeding eggs to your dog — It’s pretty obvious but still worth mentioning. Carefully inspect the ingredients of every dog food or treat you buy and make sure they don’t contain any egg protein.
- Provide alternative sources of protein — Replace eggs with other protein-rich foods, such as chicken, fish, beef, or lamb.
- Be careful with human foods — Be cautious when feeding your dog table scraps, since many human foods like baked goods and pasta contain eggs.
- Consult your vet — They will be able to come up with a treatment plan tailored to your dog’s needs.
- Keep an eye on symptoms — Watch how your dog behaves and report anything noteworthy to your vet.
Keep in mind that it’s possible for a dog to have allergies to multiple foods or to be affected by both food and environmental allergies. Your veterinarian will help you manage these complicated cases.
While eggs are typically a nutritious food for dogs, there are plenty of other foods and ingredients to ensure that your dog is getting adequate protein and nutrition. Always consult your veterinarian to figure out what the best choices are for your pup.
