Most Common Dog and Cal Allergies
Most Common Pet Allergens:
Here is a list of the Most Common Pet Allergens (Ranked from Most Common to Least Common)
This list is based on research and the prevalence of food allergies in pets, particularly dogs and cats. While individual pets may vary, these allergens are ranked by how frequently they are identified as causing allergic reactions:
- Chicken
- Beef
- Dairy
- Wheat
- Soy
- Eggs
- Lamb
- Fish
- Corn
Now, I'll expand on each allergen in rank order, with specific details about symptoms, foods/treats to avoid, alternatives, meal plan suggestions, and supplemental needs.
1. Chicken (Most Common Allergen) Allergy Symptoms:
Itchy skin, redness, or inflammation
Chronic ear infections
Hot spots
Vomiting or diarrhea
Excessive licking of paws or body
Foods/Treats to Avoid:
Chicken and chicken meal (in both dry and wet foods)
Chicken fat (commonly found in dog and cat food)
Chicken broth and flavoring
Foods/Treats to Include:
Alternative proteins: Turkey, duck, venison, salmon, rabbit
Hypoallergenic treats: Freeze-dried turkey or duck, sweet potato chews
Please Bear With Us!
We are in the process of designing Meal Plans for Pets with Allergies and will offer three tiers based on the weight of your pet for each allergen.
New Monthly Subscription Service Coming Soon!
Chicken Free Starter Plan (for Puppies/Kittens or Small Pets) includes:
5 lbs of turkey- or duck-based dry food
12 cans of salmon or venison-based wet food
1 bag of freeze-dried turkey treats
1 supplement: Omega-3s for skin health
Chicken Free Standard Plan (Medium-Sized Pets ~15–30 lbs):
10 lbs of turkey or rabbit-based kibble
24 cans of wet food
2 bags of treats (e.g., dental chews and jerky)
2 supplements: Omega-3s + probiotics
Chicken Free Premium Plan (Large Pets, 30+ lbs):
20 lbs of dry kibble
36 cans of wet food
3 treat varieties (training treats, jerky, and sweet potato chews)
3 supplements: Omega-3s, probiotics, and joint health
2. Beef Allergy Symptoms:
Vomiting or diarrhea
Gas and bloating
Skin irritation or redness
Recurring paw licking
Foods/Treats to Avoid:
Beef, beef meal, and beef liver
Beef-based jerky or broth
Foods/Treats to Include:
Alternative proteins: Turkey, lamb, duck, venison, rabbit
Single-ingredient treats: Freeze-dried lamb, sweet potato chews
Beef Free Starter Plan (for Puppies/Kittens or Small Pets) includes:
5 lbs of lamb- or turkey-based dry food
12 cans of duck or venison-based wet food
1 bag of sweet potato chews
1 supplement: digestive enzymes
Beef Free Standard Plan (Medium-Sized Pets ~15–30 lbs):
10 lbs of lamb- or venison-based dry food
24 cans of wet food
2 bags of treats (e.g., dental chews and lamb jerky)
2 supplements: Omega-3s + probiotics
Beef Free Premium Plan (Large Pets, 30+ lbs):
20 lbs of lamb-based dry kibble
36 cans of wet food
3 treat varieties
3 supplements: Omega-3s, probiotics, and joint health
3. Dairy Allergy Symptoms:
Vomiting or diarrhea
Itchy skin or hot spots
Chronic ear infections
Licking paws excessively
Foods/Treats to Avoid:
Foods with milk, cheese, or yogurt
Treats with dairy-based flavorings
Foods/Treats to Include:
Dairy-free alternatives: Hypoallergenic kibble and wet food (turkey, duck, or salmon)
Treats: Grain-free options, sweet potato chews, and single-ingredient freeze-dried meat
4. Wheat (and Gluten) Allergy Symptoms:
Flaky, itchy skin
Recurring ear infections
Digestive upset (gas, diarrhea)
Foods/Treats to Avoid:
Wheat gluten, flour, or wheat bran
Biscuits, baked treats containing wheat
Foods/Treats to Include:
Grain-free options: Sweet potatoes, peas, or lentils
Grain-free treats: Dental chews, sweet potato slices
5. Soy Allergy Symptoms:
Excessive scratching
Hot spots or redness
Loose stools or diarrhea
Foods/Treats to Avoid:
Soy, soybean oil, soy protein isolate
Foods/Treats to Include:
Soy-free dry and wet food with novel proteins (rabbit, duck, venison)
Freeze-dried protein treats (salmon, lamb)
6. Eggs Allergy Symptoms:
Red, itchy skin
Vomiting or diarrhea
Foods/Treats to Avoid:
Foods with whole eggs, egg protein, or egg powder
Foods/Treats to Include:
Limited-ingredient diets with no egg additives
7. Lamb Allergy Symptoms:
(Though lamb is commonly recommended for allergies, it can also trigger allergies in some pets.)
Digestive upset
Skin irritation
Foods/Treats to Avoid:
Lamb-based kibble or treats
Foods/Treats to Include:
Alternative proteins: Rabbit, duck, venison, kangaroo
8. Fish Allergy Symptoms:
Vomiting or diarrhea
Itchy, flaky skin
Foods/Treats to Avoid:
Fish-based kibble or wet food
Fish oil supplements
Foods/Treats to Include:
Non-fish proteins like turkey, duck, or lamb
9. Corn (Least Common Allergen) Allergy Symptoms:
Itchy skin
Digestive issues
Foods/Treats to Avoid:
Corn gluten meal, corn syrup, or whole corn
Foods/Treats to Include:
Grain-free kibble and wet food
For Multiple Pet Allergies:
The General Solution for Multi-Allergen Pets includes:
Base Diet:
Limited-ingredient kibble with novel proteins (rabbit, venison, or kangaroo)
Treats:
Single-ingredient treats (freeze-dried meats, sweet potato chews)
Supplements:
Omega-3s, probiotics, and digestive enzymes