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Does switching dog food proteins prevent or cause food allergies?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Female | spayed | 5 years and 2 months old | 17 lbs

I'm confused I thought by switching proteins that you would prevent food allergies? Can someone explain to me how staying on the same food will prevent food allergies?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

Veterinarian

Published on September 11th, 2017

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The most common food protein allergen is chicken. I tell clients they can try 2 different over the counter novel protein diets for 2-3 months each before trying a prescription hydrolyzed diet. A novel protein diet means the protein or meat is one that the dog or cat has never eaten before. Only pick one at a time. Examples are Venison, duck, fish, rabbit with green pea, sweet potato, etc. The animals need to eat this diet exclusively, meaning no table scraps, treats or bones, rawhides, greenies or pig ears. The only treats you can give the pet are ones that contain the new protein. You need to give the diet 2-3 months before trying a different protein. There are prescription novel protein diets as well. Hydrolyzed diets are prescription only. The protein is broken down to a very small protein size that isn't recognized as as an allergen by the immune system. Examples are: Hill's z/d, Royal Canin HP and Purina HA. If you find the correct protein that your dog is allergic too then she should only give that diet. Some dogs have food allergies and environmental allergies or atopy. So sometimes food isn't always the perfect fix. But if it is then yes it can help prevent skin and ear infections as long as they don't get anything else to eat that they may be allergic too. I hope this helps! Good luck!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Switching to a less commonly used protein (like venison or lamb) can help to prevent food allergies to commonly and frequently used proteins (like chicken or beef) if that is the goal. Food allergies can happen in certain dogs but not in others. Dogs that have been eating the same diet for some time may never develop a food allergy but not for others. Staying on the same food will not prevent a food allergy nor will it necessarily cause a food allergy. Every dog is different. I hope this helped clarify your question!

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