Best Allergy Test for Dogs at Home (Top Kits 2023)

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Has your dog been itching and scratching excessively? Or do you think your dog has ongoing digestive problems? If so, your veterinarian may have recommended an allergy test for dogs.

Don’t worry, and there is an easy way to test your dog for a wide range of allergies from the convenience of your house.

We have reviewed a few of the best dog allergy testing kits at home to help you choose the right for your dog that can help you discover what is bugging your puppy.

Before that, let’s learn everything about dog allergies and how canine allergy tests work before you have one for your puppy. Let’s start!

Dog Allergy Symptoms

Although it is usually not life-threatening, allergies cause discomfort in dogs. Most symptoms are associated with dermatological problems, but some can also lead to chronic respiratory issues with some dogs if left untreated for a long time. Sometimes an owner brings their dog to a veterinary dermatologist’s appointment, suspects a severe medical condition, and ultimately that their dog size has an allergy.

Here are some allergy symptoms that are usually found in dogs:

• Rash typically occurs on the face, limbs, sides of the body, and anal region.
• Asthma, such as in the case of cats with respiratory allergies, coughing and squeaking in response to respiratory allergies.
• Tears or eye drainage and sneezing.
• Gastrointestinal symptoms, which can include vomiting, diarrhea, and anal gland problems
• itch, which can lead to more skin irritation, broken skin, and possible infection.

Some of these symptoms can also be a sign of another condition. Make an appointment with your veterinarian to get an accurate diagnosis and make your dog better.

How Does Allergy Test for Dogs Work?

Veterinarians must approve limited ingredient diets before performing a diet test with their dog. The dog allergy testing kits use natural antibodies in your dog’s saliva to test the reactivity to various food.

The tests are excellent because you will get some direction about what ingredients the judgment will avoid when a diet test is challenging to achieve. It dramatically simplifies a limited ingredient diet, which is great because it is difficult to do anyway.

Types of Allergy Testing for Dogs

There are two main types of allergy testing for dogs: blood allergy testing (rast testing) and intradermal allergy testing. Every type of canine allergy test is given differently and has advantages and disadvantages.

However, the following points contain both types of dog allergy tests:

1. It is best to perform these tests during the season (s) when the dog allergy is the worst and therefore generally generates an accurate result
2. After the investigation, other potential causes and irritators, including:
   • Mites
   • Mold or yeast infections of the skin (common secondary intruders)
   • Chronic bacterial infections (common secondary intruders)
   • Hypothyroidism

A veterinarian can also order a hypoallergenic 12-week dog’s diet to exclude food allergies. Food allergies are difficult to detect with the help of both allergy test methods and therefore determined via diet manipulation. Once all these options are excluded, the vet orders blood allergy testing or skin allergy testing to determine the presence of dog allergies.

Best Dog Allergy Testing Kits of 2023

So, what is the best dog allergy testing at home? Our top selections of dog allergy testing are based on various factors, including prices, customer reviews, proven substances, results, and more.

We review the three best allergy tests for dogs to help you choose the right one for your beloved puppy.

1. 5Strands Pet Intolerance Test (Best Dog Food Allergy Test)

If you want to know which food ingredients make your pup scratch, bite his paws, rub his face or have general discomforts, the 5Strands Pet Intolerance Test Kit is the best choice.

This test is designed to help you on an elimination diet. It tests for 255 food ingredients and preservatives and 100 environmental factors. It uses a hair sample collection method (10-15 strands) and Bioresonance technology to identify temporary imbalances that cause stomach upset, headache, bloating, itching, and other common allergy symptoms.

Once the hair sample arrives at their processing center, you can expect your pet’s test results within 7-10 days in an easy-to-understand report consisting of all items your dog has tested for intolerance or imbalance.

This test is a valuable screening tool that can help you create a safer feeding plan for your dog, adjust any lifestyle activities, or remove items that could harm your pup’s well-being.

2. Dog Allergy Test My Pet

Dog Allergy Test My Pet, or AT My Pet tests for more than 110 items, including food, eco-friendly products, and everyday household products. They monitor the antibody response in your dog’s saliva to each allergen and report whether there is a positive or negative response.

Although they don’t provide sample results and only offer telephone customer support, they are competitive. It is a straightforward and easy-to-use kit that requires a primary method of collecting saliva.

3. Nutriscan At home Pet Food Allergy for Dogs

This is an internationally patented food intolerance test that helps you find your dog’s food sensitivities, provides the proper nutrition for optimal health, and thrive. It is the best dog allergy test available to test at home.

It is relatively high-priced but measures 112 ingredients. This is a GOLD standard allergy test and one of the most accurate tests on the market that measures two times two antibodies (IgA and IgM) with robotic automation. You will see that many vets use this test.

By comparison, hair, serum, and DNA tests (300 foods) are not clinically predictive of adverse food effects—this test measures antibodies against 24 purified food extracts or ingredients in the saliva of dogs. High antibody levels indicate that the animal is hypersensitive and intolerant to the food.

Many people confuse this dog food allergy test with a DNA test. However, this test will not give you the DNA results for your dog. One of our favorite vets, W. Jean Dodds, developed this test, and it’s one of the best choices. High antibody levels indicate that the animal has a food sensitivity and intolerance. It is highly accurate and will help you limit your dog’s allergies.

Most Common Dog Allergies

What can dogs be allergic reactions to? Here is a breakdown of the most common types of dog allergy:

• Skin allergies (dermatitis)
• Seasonal allergies
• Human food allergies
• Dog food allergies
• Allergens in the air
• Environmental allergies
• Home Allergies
• Recipe Drugs

According to WebMD, 10% of all allergies in dogs of food allergies. Dogs are usually allergic reaction to the next food: beef, dairy, wheat, egg, chicken, lamb, soy, pork, rabbit, and fish. Rabbit and fish are much less common food than the others. However, most dogs are usually allergic to more than one thing.

Treating Allergies in Dogs

It is helpful to understand that allergies cannot cure but can be treated successfully. There are many treatments, including oral medications, baths, topical therapy, and even injectable antigen therapy. Prescribing the correct allergy medicine for dogs depends largely on the dog’s dog’s symptoms, the severity of the symptoms, and pre-existing medical conditions. Allergy medications for dogs may include one or more of the following types of therapies:

• Anti-Inflammatory Therapy: Treats dog allergies with anti-inflammatory medications such as corticosteroids or with antihistamines that inhibit the allergic response in most
• Immune system Modulators: Modify and reduce the dog’s immune system response to reduce the amount of itching when exposed to the antigens. . Some dogs are only allergic reactions to food, Some also have food allergies and contact allergies. Taking omega-3 fatty acids can help improve the patient’s response to steroids and antihistamines in some cases. the substances in the body that cause itching
• Shampoo therapy: Bathing can be beneficial in removing the antigens the dog has been exposed to, removing dead skin cells, and helping treat secondary infections such as yeasts and bacteria. Some therapeutic shampoos contain anti-inflammatory ingredients that can further benefit your dog.
• Hyposensitization therapy: this form of allergy medicine for dogs consists of weekly injections of minimal amounts of an antigen. Repeated dosing helps to reprogram or desensitize the patient’s immune system. About 50% of treated dogs will see a significant improvement in their clinical signs, while about 25% more will decrease the amount or frequency of anti-inflammatory therapy.

To learn which allergy medication and which treatment plans for dog allergies work best for your canine friend, make an appointment with your vet today. Every allergy case is different and should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

FAQs About Dog Allergy Tests

How do you test for allergies in dogs?

There are different types of testing methods to detect allergies in dogs. Hair tests are best.

You can also do a skin test or blood test when your appointment with a vet, but this is unnecessary.

For more info, see the types of allergy tests for dogs.

Conclusion for Best Allergy Test for Dogs

Signs of food allergies in dogs are similar to those of airborne allergies. That said, it’s best to see your vet at the onset of an allergy to help treat excessive itching.

Your vet will advise you on the best dog allergy testing kit, as well as an elimination diet that should be balanced, nutritionally complete, and free of ingredients previously included in your dog’s diet.