Intolerance testing for dogs and cats can be a helpful tool to uncover sensitivities that may cause chronic issues like digestive upset, itchy skin, or recurring ear infections. Unlike true allergies, which involve the immune system and often trigger immediate and sometimes severe reactions, intolerances are more about the body’s difficulty processing certain foods or environmental substances. Allergy tests, typically done at a vet’s office through blood or skin testing, identify immune-based reactions, while intolerance tests — often done with saliva or hair samples — look for non-immune sensitivities that build up over time. Used together, these tests can give pet parents a clearer picture of what might be bothering their furry friend and guide them toward better diet and lifestyle choices.
When your pet is itching, has inflamed skin and continual ear infections you should do an intolerance test or an elimination diet.
Chicken is the protein that causes the most intolerances in pets. We recommend you feed a novel protein (rabbit, duck, lamb, bison, venison, or turkey. Avoid foods that contain sugar, maltodextrin, honey, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, grains, peas, chickpeas, high fructose corn syrup and dextrose.
If you have done an intolerance test or an elimination diet and made diet modifications, you may want to consider doing a fecal microbiota transplant (FMT).
Food and environmental issues in dogs and cats can sometimes be tricky to figure out, which is why many pet parents turn to intolerance testing. Intolerance tests are designed to identify sensitivities that may not show up on traditional allergy tests. These sensitivities are often related to how the body processes certain foods or environmental triggers, like pollen, dust, or household chemicals. When a pet has an intolerance, their body struggles to digest or handle a particular substance, which can lead to chronic symptoms such as digestive upset, itching, ear infections, or even behavioral changes. Intolerance tests can give pet owners helpful clues about what might be causing their pet’s discomfort and guide them in making diet or lifestyle adjustments.
It’s important to understand that intolerance testing is different from allergy testing. True allergies involve the immune system reacting strongly to a substance (like chicken, beef, or grass), often leading to symptoms such as hives, swelling, or severe itching. These reactions are usually immediate and can sometimes be dangerous. Intolerances, on the other hand, don’t involve the immune system in the same way. Instead, they typically develop over time and may result in chronic, lower-level issues that are harder to pinpoint. For example, a dog may not be allergic to dairy but could have an intolerance that causes gas, bloating, or soft stools whenever they consume it.
Because of these differences, intolerance tests and allergy tests can complement each other. Allergy tests—usually done through blood tests or skin prick testing at a veterinary clinic — help identify immune-based reactions. Intolerance tests, often done through saliva, hair, or bioresonance methods, look at sensitivities that might otherwise be missed. While intolerance testing isn’t considered as scientifically validated as allergy testing, many pet parents find it useful for uncovering hidden triggers and improving their pet’s comfort and quality of life. Together, both approaches can give a more complete picture of what may be affecting a dog or cat’s health.
“Cat and Dog Allergy Testing (Blood vs Skin vs Food)” by Dr. Katie Woodley.
“Allergy Testing Vs Food Intolerance Testing” by A Pet Vet.
Recommended Intolerance Tests:
Excessive scratching, looking tired and sluggish, digestive and gastrointestinal issues, paw biting, and hot spots are just some of the most common symptoms of an intolerance.
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