Food Sensitivity vs Food Allergy — What Is the Difference?
These terms are used interchangeably but they describe different things. A food allergy is an immune system response that can be rapid and severe. A food sensitivity is a digestive or inflammatory response that develops gradually over months or years of repeated exposure. True food allergies in dogs are relatively rare. Food sensitivities, however, are extremely common — and often go undiagnosed for years because the symptoms look like skin problems, ear infections or just 'a sensitive stomach.'
SYMPTOM CHECKER
8 Signs Your Dog May Have a Food Sensitivity
01
Chronic Itching
Especially paws, ears, groin, armpits. Dog licks or chews these areas repeatedly.
02
Recurring Ear Infections
More than 2 ear infections per year almost always indicates an underlying food or environmental sensitivity.
03
Paw Chewing & Redness
Paws turn pink or red between the toes. Dog licks constantly, especially after meals.
04
Chronic Loose Stools
Not occasional — a consistent pattern of soft, poorly formed stools that continues across weeks.
05
Regular Vomiting After Meals
Not the occasional grass-eating incident. Consistent post-meal vomiting that keeps recurring.
06
Skin Rashes or Hot Spots
Red, inflamed patches that appear and reappear despite topical treatment.
07
Poor Coat Quality
Dull, brittle or excessively shedding coat that does not respond to grooming, supplements or shampoo changes.
08
Frequent Anal Gland Problems
Needing frequent manual expression is often a sign of chronic digestive inflammation from dietary sensitivity.
The most allergenic foods are the ones your dog has been exposed to most frequently — not inherently bad foods. Chicken tops the list in India simply because it is in almost every product. Repeated exposure is what creates sensitivity, not the ingredient itself.
The 4-Step Elimination Protocol
1
Start an elimination diet — Remove all current proteins. Switch to a single novel protein your dog has never eaten. Buffalo, fish, quail or venison are ideal. Feed this exclusively for 8–12 weeks including all treats.
2
Use only single-ingredient treats — Multi-ingredient treats contain hidden proteins that invalidate the trial. Only single-ingredient treats like our range can be safely used during this period.
3
Reintroduce one protein at a time — After the trial, if symptoms resolved, reintroduce proteins one by one with 2 weeks between each. The one that triggers symptoms returning is your answer.
4
Consult your vet — A vet can confirm the diagnosis, rule out environmental allergies (which present similarly), and guide you safely through the reintroduction phase with proper monitoring.
Best Game of Bones Treats for Elimination Diets
All of the following are true novel proteins for most Indian dogs and contain exactly one ingredient — nothing hidden:
🐃
Buff Jerky
Novel red meat protein
🐟
All Fish Range
Marine protein, truly novel
🦅
Whole Quail
Rare complete prey protein
Important: During an elimination trial, every single thing your dog eats must be the novel protein only. That includes treats, meal toppers, pill pockets — everything. One slip of the old protein can reset the 8-week clock entirely.