Food allergies in dogs are more common than most pet parents realise
If your dog keeps scratching, licking their paws, or suffering from recurring ear infections and tummy upsets, food could be part of the problem. A food allergy happens when your dog's immune system reacts to a protein in their food as if it were a threat. Unlike a simple food intolerance, which mainly upsets the stomach, a true food allergy involves the immune system and can affect the skin, ears, and digestion at the same time.
Food allergies can develop at any age, even to a food your dog has eaten happily for years. With the right diagnosis and diet, most dogs can feel much more comfortable. One of the diets vets commonly recommend is Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hypoallergenic, a prescription diet formulated to help support dogs with suspected food allergies.
Signs your dog may have a food allergy
Food allergy signs often look like other problems, which is why a vet's help matters. Watch for:
- Constant itching, especially around the face, ears, paws, belly, and tail base
- Red, inflamed skin, hot spots, or recurring skin infections
- Recurring ear infections that keep coming back after treatment
- Soft stools, diarrhoea, vomiting, or flatulence that does not settle
- Hair loss or a dull, thinning coat from constant scratching
- Licking or chewing the paws, or scooting along the floor
If your dog shows several of these signs together, and they do not improve with regular flea control or standard skin treatment, ask your vet whether food could be playing a role.
Common triggers, and why diagnosis takes time
The most common food allergens for dogs are proteins such as chicken, beef, dairy, and wheat, though any ingredient can be a trigger. The challenge is that an allergy cannot be diagnosed from a single blood test or by simply switching brands. Your vet will usually recommend an elimination diet trial: feeding one carefully chosen hypoallergenic diet, and nothing else, for around 8 weeks.
During the trial, no other foods, treats, flavoured medicines, or table scraps are allowed, because even a small amount of the trigger protein can restart the reaction. If the itching and digestive signs improve on the trial diet, your vet may reintroduce the old food briefly to confirm the allergy.
How Royal Canin Hypoallergenic is formulated to help support your dog
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hypoallergenic Dog Dry Food is a veterinary diet formulated to help support dogs with food allergies. It uses hydrolysed protein — protein that has been broken down into very small pieces — so it is less likely to be recognised by the immune system and trigger a reaction. This makes it suitable for use during an elimination diet trial under veterinary supervision.
The diet is also formulated to help support the skin barrier, which is often weakened in allergic dogs, and to support healthy digestion. It is a complete and balanced diet for adult dogs when fed as directed, so it can be used as your dog's everyday food for as long as your vet recommends it. It is available in 2kg and 7kg packs, so you can start with a smaller pack for the trial and move to a larger one once your vet confirms the diet suits your dog.
Feeding and transition tips
- Use it only on veterinary advice: Hypoallergenic is a prescription diet. Start it only after your vet recommends it, and feed it for the full trial period they advise.
- Nothing else during the trial: No treats, chews, rawhide, or table food — unless your vet approves them. Even one biscuit can undo weeks of progress.
- Transition gradually: Mix the new food with the old food over 5 to 7 days, increasing the share of Hypoallergenic each day, to help avoid an upset stomach.
- Feed the right amount: Follow the feeding guide on the pack and your vet's advice, and weigh the food rather than guessing.
- Keep a diary: Note itching, stool quality, and ear health each week, so you and your vet can see whether the diet is helping.
When to talk to your vet
See your vet promptly if the itching is severe, if there are open sores, swelling of the face, or signs of infection, or if your dog has ongoing vomiting or diarrhoea.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not veterinary advice. Prescription diets should only be used under veterinary supervision. Always consult your vet before changing your dog's diet.
Shop genuine Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hypoallergenic at Paw Store (pawstore.in) — Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hypoallergenic Dog Dry Food, with same-day delivery in NCR and fast shipping across India.