An elimination diet for dogs: What is it and when should you use it? 

In this blog, we will:  

• Help you recognize signs of potential food intolerances and allergies in your dog.  

• Walk you through what an elimination diet for dogs is and how it can be a useful tool in identifying specific food allergies or intolerances in your dog.  

• Learn how a raw diet transforms your dog’s digestion, gut microbiome, and overall health.

   

Anyone who has pets knows how challenging it can be when they experience health problems, especially when these issues persist and you can’t seem to identify the cause. The seemingly endless search for relief for your pet’s discomfort often ends up leading to a pantry full of “special diet” kibble, expensive prescriptions, and no real answers or solutions to the root cause.  

When your dog is experiencing consistent health problems, getting back to the basics of their diet with a step-by-step intervention known as a raw food elimination diet could be just the ticket to resolving them. Elimination diets allow you to identify potential problem ingredients in your dog’s diet by eliminating foods that they typically eat and gradually reintroducing them while you monitor for symptoms.  

Recognizing the signs of  food sensitivity in dogs and how to know if an elimination diet is appropriate. 

Before we dive into how to implement an elimination diet for your dog, we first need to talk about how to identify the signs that something your pet is eating is not agreeing with them. When a dog’s body cannot properly digest and pull nutrition from their food, the resulting symptoms can range from an upset stomach to more subtle signs that you may not even recognize as relating to their diet.  

That said, the most common symptoms of food intolerances or food allergies in dogs can be similar to signs of an environmental allergy, and include:   

• Chronic ear infections  

• Excessively licking their paws and/or frequent paw infections  

• Inflamed, rashy skin (hot spots)  

• Excessively flakey skin  

• Hair loss/patchy fur  

• Consistently loose stools (pro tip: your pet’s poop can tell you a lot about their health)  

• Frequent vomiting or diarrhea   

An elimination diet cannot resolve any health issues that are a result of environmental allergies or certain health conditions, so it is important to rule these out with your veterinarian and have them conduct a complete physical wellness exam before proceeding with an elimination diet.  

What does kibble have to do with it?   

One of the biggest issues with feeding kibble is that you almost never know exactly what’s in it. Most commercial kibble companies use tricky marketing tactics or food safety loopholes (don’t get us started on 3D/4D meat) to conceal their true and full ingredient lists. This, plus the common use of filler ingredients, an excess of highly processed grains (learn more about whether grains are bad for dogs here), and artificial additives all contribute to a less-than-ideal situation in your dog’s digestive system.   

A dog’s digestive system is able to process a lot but, given their biology, dogs thrive on species-appropriate fresh foods, as is evident in the improvements you’ll see in their health when you feed them a raw diet.  

Learn more about the benefits of feeding your dog a raw diet.

What is an elimination diet?  

An elimination diet, or elimination diet trial, is a diagnostic procedure that pet owners can implement to help identify any specific foods that are causing health issues for their dog.  

Just as the name suggests, elimination diets are conducted by eliminating foods that your dog commonly eats from their diet and rebuilding their diet “from scratch”, gradually reintroducing one food item at a time and monitoring your pet’s reaction to each ingredient.   

Elimination diets for dogs are timebound and not intended to be a permanent solution; long-term use of a restricted or limited diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies in your pet. If your pet can only consume a very limited range of foods, a professional nutritionist is recommended to ensure their diet is balanced with appropriate supplements to make up for the lack of nutrient variety. 

Your step-by-step guide to an elimination diet for your dog. 

While making the switch from kibble to a balanced raw diet can often resolve many cases of chronic digestive upset and other health issues, some dogs may still have intolerances to certain fresh foods. In these cases, an elimination diet can help to identify their unique triggers. Feeding your dog an elimination diet requires commitment and patience, but the investment in your pet’s health is well worth it. The following 3-step action plan should help you get started. 

Step 1: Rebuild your dog’s diet by starting with a novel protein as the base.  

You want to choose a “novel protein” when you start building your dog’s elimination diet because novel proteins are those that your dog has either never eaten, or they’ve not eaten it in significant amounts, and thus is less likely to trigger a reaction. Carnos Truly Raw Base Mixes have clean, short ingredient lists and only include single-protein animal parts, making it much easier to simplify your dog’s diet and start to pinpoint their “problem foods”. The point here is to find a “safe” (for your dog) protein to start with. And while this is often a novel protein, it isn’t always – a safe protein for your specific dog could be a more common protein (like chicken or beef) that you find doesn’t cause a reaction. Every dog is an individual with their own unique digestive system, so it’s important to find what works for them.  

Step 2: The elimination phase.

For the next 6 weeks, your dog’s diet should consist exclusively of the novel or “safe” protein you chose. It can take up to 6 weeks for any elevated histamine levels and inflammation in the body to go down once trigger ingredients have been removed from their diet. Consistency is crucial, and this means no treats, no chews, no table scraps, and no additives or supplements should be given to your dog while they’re on an elimination diet unless they are the same protein or are absolutely necessary. It’s a tough rule to follow, but it is essential. During this time, watch for gradual improvement in your dog’s symptoms. You should see signs like firmer stools, less gas, reduced itching, and a healthier coat. Don’t be discouraged if it takes a few weeks to notice a change; healing takes time. If you notice that your dog’s health gets worse on this novel protein, they may be intolerant to it and you’ll have to start the elimination diet over again with a different novel protein.  

Step 3: The reintroduction phase.  

Once your dog has been symptom free for the initial 6 week period, you can begin reintroducing one additional ingredient back into their diet at a time. This process is slow and methodical. Add a small amount of a new protein to their meal and give this new ingredient a 2-4 week introduction period without including anything additional. Watch for the return of any symptoms and, if they do reappear, then you’ve found a food your dog is sensitive to. If your dog remains healthy and symptom-free, then it is likely a safe ingredient for them. By taking your time with ingredient reintroduction, you build a safe, diversified diet for your dog, one food item at a time. It is important to do this slow, integral reintroduction with all foods and supplements, even vegetables and fruits, not just proteins.  

The ‘Why’: How a simple diet transforms your dog’s gut. 

Beyond just identifying problem foods, an elimination diet for dogs works best to improve the health and function of your dog’s digestive system because it is the biologically appropriate way to feed them.   

• Premium Digestibility: A dog’s digestive system is designed to break down and absorb nutrients from raw meat, bones, and organs. Raw proteins and fat are highly digestible with bioavailable nutrients, which means less is wasted and your dog absorbs the nutrients better.  

• No Fillers, No Inflammation: By removing common allergens like highly processed corn, soy, wheat, and other fillers common in commercial kibble, you reduce the workload on your dog’s digestive system and eliminate common sources of inflammation.  

• Single-Source: When choosing to feed raw, you’re choosing to feed simply. Kibble will always have a combination of ingredients that you cannot control, making it difficult to use it for a true elimination diet. A raw diet allows you to slow down and get specific about what ingredients are causing your dog’s stomach issues.   

Learn more about how to support your dog’s gut microbiome.  

The journey to a healthier gut starts here. 

An elimination diet for dogs more than just a quick fix; it’s a powerful tool and a journey of discovery that puts you, the dedicated pet parent, in control of your dog’s health. It takes patience and dedication, but the results—a happy, comfortable, and thriving dog—are absolutely worth it.  

Ready to find the right diet for your sensitive dog? Explore our line of single-protein raw pet food meal base blends and start your journey today!  

Have questions about getting started? Our team is ready to help. Contact us, schedule a consultation call, or check out our raw feeding FAQ today! And don’t forget to share this with a friend whose dog needs a little help with their tummy troubles!