Adverse food reactions in dogs and cats. Part 1: clinical presentation

Adverse food reactions in dogs and cats are typically associated with cutaneous and gastrointestinal clinical signs. The predominant clinical signs are pruritus, secondary skin infections, otitis and diarrhoea in dogs, and pruritus, diarrhoea and vomiting in cats. However, more unusual presentations including anaphylaxis, respiratory and ocular manifestations have also been reported. The pathogenesis of adverse food reactions is not well understood in veterinary patients and signs may be associated with a true immunological reaction (allergy) or non-immunological mechanisms (intolerance). The reported age of onset varies widely and although signs may develop in older animals, they are reportedly more common in animals under 1 year of age. Common triggers of cutaneous adverse food reactions include beef, dairy and chicken in dogs, and beef, fish and chicken in cats.