5 Reasons Why Your Dog's Elimination Diet is Not Working
Written by Dr. Terry White, DVM
Embarking on a food trial, also referred to as food elimination diet, diet trial or allergy diet, for your dog can be a daunting journey, especially when you're not seeing the results you hoped for. You might find yourself frustrated over the long process and questioning whether you're doing something wrong.
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Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many pet parents face challenges during food trials, but understanding the potential pitfalls can help you navigate this process more effectively. With 40 years of experience working with countless clients helping their fur babies withallergies, we're going to share the common reasons behind why your dog's food trial might not be working and actions you can take to get back on track.
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What is an Elimination Diet for Dogs?
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An elimination diet helps identify foods causing reactions or health issues in dogs. It involves feeding a bland, restricted diet for several weeks, then gradually reintroducing foods to pinpoint the problem ingredient, which can be avoided in the future.
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Used mainly to diagnose food intolerances or allergies, this process should be done under a vet's guidance to prevent nutritional imbalances from long-term use.
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Below are 5 hidden reasons why your dog's elimination diet is not working.
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1. Accidental Exposure to Allergens
A frequent issue you might face as a pet parent when conducting a food trial for your fur baby is accidental exposure to food ingredients or protein sources that are allergens. Even a small amount of an offending ingredient can trigger symptoms and invalidate the trial.
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We’ve heard many clients mention the challenge of keeping their dog away from treats and table scraps during the elimination diet. Some clients have highlighted the difficulty in households with children who might inadvertently feed the dog forbidden foods​.
Solution
Ensure all family members and visitors are aware of the strict dietary restrictions. Avoid using flavored medications, supplements, and even flavored parasite preventives. Consistency is key—stick strictly to the prescribed diet and water only​.
Tip: double check your dog’s flea & tick preventative medications. Some of them contain food flavors that may exacerbate your dog’s allergies.
2. Incorrect Diet Selection
The success of a food trial heavily depends on selecting the right elimination diet. Many commercial "hypoallergenic" diets may still contain ingredients that can cause reactions.
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I’ve heard clients sharing their experience switching to a novel protein diet, only to find out that the protein was not as novel as they thought due to cross-contamination in commercial foods​​.
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Solution
Work with your veterinarian to choose a truly novel or hydrolyzed protein diet. A detailed diet history of your dog's previous foods will help in selecting appropriate ingredients.
At EverPal, we are experts in diagnosing and treating allergies in dogs. You can start by making an appointment today and get your dog seen on the same day with a thorough 30-minute initial consultation.
3. Insufficient Trial Duration
A food trial must last long enough to observe any significant changes. Prematurely ending the trial can lead to incorrect conclusions.
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It’s understandable that you are frustrated because you are not seeing immediate results. You may also feel the temptation to cut the trial short. However, we advise that you complete the full 8-12 weeks to ensure accurate results​.
How to do an elimination diet for dogs
Be patient and follow the recommended trial duration. Some dogs may take longer to show improvements, and a minimum of 8-12 weeks is necessary for a conclusive trial.​
4. Non-Food Allergies
If your dog’s symptoms persist despite a rigorous food trial, the issue might be environmental rather than food-related. In fact, environmental allergies are more common and could be the underlying cause if food trials fail.
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Solution
Consult a veterinarian for comprehensive allergy testing. They can perform tests to identify environmental allergens and suggest appropriate treatments.
5. Concurrent Conditions
Underlying health conditions such as gastrointestinal disorders, infections, or parasitic infestations can interfere with the results of a food trial.
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You may observe your dog’s persistent ear infections and skin issues despite dietary changes, indicating the possibility of concurrent infections that needed addressing​.
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Solution
Have a comprehensive veterinary consultation to rule out or treat other health issues before or during the food trial. Treating these conditions can help isolate food allergies as the cause of symptoms​.
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Understanding these potential issues can improve the effectiveness of your dog’s elimination diet. However, food trial is still complex and the results aren't immediate. Is your dog's food trial not working? Or is your dog still having allergies after a food trial? We can help! At EverPal, we are experts in allergy care for dogs.
Benefits you can expect
Dr. Terry White, DVM
Clear path to long-term allergy relief for your fur baby
Through 30-minute comprehensive virtual visits with your dedicated veterinarian, you will receive a consistent treatment plan that addresses not just surface-level symptoms but also the root causes of allergies.
Read about Dr. Terry White, EverPal's
Simplified process with expert ste-by-step guidance
Managing your dog's allergies shouldn't feel uncertain. Our consultation is 3x longer than a typical visit, allowing us to understand your dog's unique needs and create a step-by-step treatment plan.
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Have more questions? Your care team is available via unlimited texts to guide you every step of the way.
Benny doesn't like the hydrolized diet. What should I do?
Lily Smith, Care Coordinator
Dr. White recommends adding hydrolized treats to Benny's diet so he can still enjoy food.
Holistic approach that cares for your pet's long-term health
Did you know that dogs develop resistance to allergy medications? Are you aware of the side effects of medications on your dog's long-term health?
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Medication isn't the default option. We go beyond that to incorporate nutrition, supplements, and environmental adjustments.
Pet parents love us
"The food trial process is much easier"
Lena S., Gatsby's Mom
"I've never met a vet who explains in such details. The trial process of different foods is also much easier...no need to wait forever. So much time saved! Gatsby is finally eating without much issues. Highly recommend!"
"I wish I had found EverPal sooner"
Elva F., Bagel's Mom
"We were told by a vet to do a food trial but it didn't work. Dr. White's 40 years of experience is so helpful. He pointed out that we could be exposing Bagel to chicken flavored medications. We are restarting it but I wish I had found EverPal sooner. "
"Consistent, step-by-step treatment plan"
Alex W., Bobby's Dad
"I've been to multiple vets and was told conflicting things about my boy's allergies. Dr. White was different. He had a game plan for how to diagnose allergies from the beginning. I felt more confident about how to care for my boy. "
How EverPal works
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30-minute initial visit
Pick a time and meet your dedicated veterinarian from home. We offer virtual visits with licensed veterinarians in California.
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Treatment & follow-up care
Receive medications or prescription diet delivered to your home. Follow-up virtual visit with your veterinarian to discuss testing results and treatment plan
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Allergy-free fur baby
By accessing your care team for ongoing support, your fur baby can receive the optimal care they deserve.
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