When Food Heals: A Vet’s Guide to Common Canine Health Issues & How Plant-Based Nutrition Can Help

ALLERGY VS. INTOLERANCE

It’s important to know, that a food allergy and a food intolerance are not the same thing.

• Food allergies involve the immune system. Your dog’s body sees a specific ingredient – usually a protein – as a threat and mounts an immune response. This often shows up as skin issues like itching, red ears, or paw licking, and often symptoms of digestive upset such as vomiting or diarrhea.
• Food intolerances, however, do not involve the immune system. They’re more about your dog’s digestive system struggling to process a certain ingredient. This might lead to gas, bloating, soft stools, or diarrhea – but often without the itching or skin flare-ups seen in allergies.

Both can make your dog pretty miserable (allergy symptoms are usually the most severe), and both can often be overlooked or misdiagnosed. But once you know what you’re dealing with, there are several things you can do to help – starting with what goes in their bowl.

THE SYMPTOMS: ITCHING, RED EARS, LICKING PAWS & MORE

Food-related issues in dogs often manifest on the skin, in the ears, or in the digestive system. You might notice:

• Constant licking or chewing at the paws
• Red, inflamed ears or chronic ear infections
• Itchy skin or hotspots
• Tear staining around the eyes
• Soft or inconsistent stools
• Scooting or discomfort around the rear end

Some dogs also develop bad breath, frequent gas, or start refusing food altogether. If you’re seeing a combination of these signs, it’s time to take a closer look at your dog’s diet.

THE COMMON CULPRITS

You might be surprised to learn that the most common allergens in dogs aren’t exotic ingredients or artificial additives (though those can be a problem too). They’re the everyday proteins we often consider staples:

• Beef
• Chicken
• Dairy
• Lamb
• Eggs

Add to that synthetic preservatives and colourants, meat meals of questionable origin, and rendered animal by-products, and it’s not surprising that many dogs are struggling. These ingredients are common in commercial dog foods, even those labeled as “natural” or “premium.”

WHY PLANT-BASED IS OFTEN BETTER

When you remove common animal proteins and switch to a well-balanced, good quality plant-based dog food (like Herbie Wilde), many of the usual triggers are avoided. So this type of food can be considered ‘hypoallergenic’ i.e. ‘less likely than usual to cause an allergic reaction’.

Plant-based diets, especially when designed specifically for dogs, offer:

• Clean, simple ingredients that are easy to trace and easy to understand
• No hidden meat meals or animal by-products
• No dairy or egg contamination, which is common in meat-based pet foods
• A great foundation for elimination diets, where certain meat proteins and other ingredients can be removed from the diet

Many owners who switch to a plant-based diet see a transformation in their dog’s skin, ears, and energy within weeks. It often improves stool quality too. This is especially true for dogs with chronic itching or those who have been on multiple rounds of antibiotics or steroids with only short-term relief.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON LABELS

Reading a dog food label shouldn’t require a degree in chemistry. When scanning for a simple, good quality plant-based food, here’s what to keep in mind:

• Named whole foods: Look for lentils, peas, sweet potatoes, oats, etc. Avoid vague terms like “animal fat” or “meat meal”
• No artificial additives: Such as BHA, BHT, synthetic dyes, and artificial flavours. Prolonged exposure to BHA has been linked to health issues like reproductive toxicity, hormone disruption and cancer in humans.
• Omega-3s: Look for added flaxseed, algae oil, or chia for anti-inflammatory benefits. Algae oil is the richest source of omega-3s for those on plant-based diets.

It’s great if they have added turmeric or medicinal mushrooms, which can support gut health and immunity.

HEALING TAKES TIME

If you suspect your dog has a food allergy or intolerance, your vet may recommend an elimination diet. This means feeding a simplified diet for at least 8 to 12 weeks, with no treats, table scraps, or flavored medications.

These are the usual steps involved::

• Be strict: Even one bite of a trigger food can reset the clock
• Keep a journal: Track symptoms, stool quality, and any changes in behavior
• Reintroduce slowly: After the trial period, add one new ingredient at a time and observe for the recurrence of any previous symptoms

Many plant-based diets make suitable elimination diets because they avoid the most common allergens by default.

HOLISTIC SUPPORT ALONGSIDE DIET

Food is foundational, but supporting your itchy or inflamed dog holistically can speed up recovery and make them more comfortable along the way.

• Omega-3 fatty acids (from algae oil or flaxseed): Naturally anti-inflammatory and great for skin health
• Turmeric: A natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
• Probiotics and prebiotics: Help balance the gut microbiome and strengthen the immune system
• Gentle shampoos and topical sprays: Soothe itchy or irritated skin while the diet does the internal healing

If your dog has open sores or infections, your vet may still need to prescribe short-term medications. But once the diet is cleaned up, many dogs no longer need repeat prescriptions.

VET SUPPORT: TESTING VS TRIAL, TOPICAL VS INTERNAL INFLAMMATION

You might be wondering if you should get an allergy test? The truth is, many dog allergy tests (especially hair or saliva tests sold online) aren’t very reliable. Blood tests can be helpful, but often your vet will recommend starting with a food trial instead, since it’s the most direct and reliable way to diagnose a food allergy.

At the same time, your vet may want to address troublesome symptoms like inflamed or infected ears or paws, with medications or cleansers. But remember – these are band-aids. Real healing starts from the inside out.

IN SUMMARY

If your dog is dealing with food allergies or intolerances, you don’t have to rely on regular use of medications, expensive vet visits, or switching from one meat-based kibble to another.

By understanding the difference between allergies and intolerances, recognising the symptoms, and choosing a hypoallergenic, nutritionally balanced plant-based dog food, you can give your dog lasting relief.

And remember, healing takes time, so patience is needed, but you’ll be amazed at what’s possible when food truly heals.

In the next part in this series, we’ll be exploring gut health and digestion in dogs with sensitive stomachs, and how we can soothe those digestive systems naturally.