Pet Digest

Chicken is one of the most common proteins in commercial dog food—and increasingly, one of the most common triggers for food sensitivities and allergies in dogs. But what’s interesting is that many dogs who react poorly to chicken can still tolerate other poultry like turkey, duck, or even quail. So what gives? Let’s dive into the differences between poultry proteins and why your dog might be allergic to one bird but not another. --- 🐔 Chicken: The Common Culprit Chicken is widely used in dog food because it’s inexpensive, high in protein, and easy to source. But it’s also one of the most overused animal proteins in the pet food industry. When dogs are exposed to the same protein source over and over again—especially low-quality or highly processed versions—they’re more likely to develop food sensitivities or allergies. Common signs of a chicken allergy in dogs: Itchy skin or paws Chronic ear infections Digestive issues (vomiting, gas, or diarrhea) Excessive licking or chewing --- 🦃 ...

Food allergies in dogs are becoming more common, and they often go unnoticed or misdiagnosed. If your dog has itchy skin, frequent ear infections, soft stools, or constant paw licking, they may be reacting to something in their food—often a protein they’ve eaten for years. This is where novel proteins come in. --- 🐾 What Is a Novel Protein? A novel protein is one your dog’s body hasn’t encountered before—meaning their immune system hasn’t built up a negative response to it. Common examples include: Duck Rabbit Venison Goat Kangaroo Bison Quail Ostrich Because these proteins are less commonly used in mass-market pet food, they’re ideal for elimination diets and dogs with food sensitivities. --- 🔄 How Novel Proteins Help with Allergies Food allergies happen when the immune system overreacts to specific proteins. The longer your dog eats the same protein—especially if it’s low-quality or overprocessed—the higher the risk of sensitization. Switching to a novel protein gives the immune sy...