Missed Part 1 of our Full Guide to Pet Allergies? No worries! Catch up now and learn how to spot the signs of allergies in your pet.
Hypoallergenic Pet Food: What Does It Really Mean?
The term “hypoallergenic food” is often used in pet nutrition, but it can be misleading. While prescription diets are usually the only ones labeled as “hypoallergenic,” premium pet foods typically use the term “limited ingredient diet” (LID) instead. However, the reality is that there is no universal “hypoallergenic” food—any food that does not contain an allergen for a particular pet is, by definition, hypoallergenic for that pet.
What Makes a Food “Hypoallergenic”?
A truly hypoallergenic diet is one that avoids ingredients that trigger allergic reactions in an individual pet. Since food allergies vary from pet to pet, there is no single ingredient or formula that is hypoallergenic for all pets.
- Prescription Hypoallergenic Diets – These often contain hydrolyzed proteins, which are broken down into tiny components that the immune system does not recognize as allergens. They may also feature novel proteins (less commonly used meat sources) to reduce allergic reactions.
- Limited Ingredient Diets (LID) – Many premium pet food brands offer LID formulas that use a single protein source and minimal ingredients to reduce the likelihood of triggering allergies. These diets are often just as effective as prescription hypoallergenic foods but without requiring a vet prescription.
- Novel Proteins – Proteins that are unfamiliar to the pet’s immune system (such as kangaroo, rabbit, or insect-based proteins) are commonly used in hypoallergenic and LID diets to minimize allergic reactions.
Is a Prescription Diet Necessary?
Many pet owners assume that a prescription diet is required for food allergies, but this is not necessarily true. There are high-quality commercially available LID diets that often provide better ingredient quality, availability, and pricing compared to prescription foods.
- Prescription diets may be useful when everything else fails or if a pet has severe, uncontrolled allergies.
- Many premium limited-ingredient diets work just as well and offer better ingredient transparency and quality than prescription options.
How to Choose the Right Food for a Pet with Allergies
- Identify the Allergen: Work with a vet to determine which ingredients your pet is reacting to. This is usually done through an elimination diet—feeding a food with only one protein and carb source and gradually introducing new ingredients.
- Select a Limited-Ingredient or Novel Protein Diet: Choose a food that avoids known allergens and contains a simple formula with one protein source.
- Avoid Ingredient Cross-Contamination: Some brands manufacture different recipes in shared facilities, leading to possible trace contamination of allergens. Look for brands that produce LID diets with strict allergen control.
- Monitor Your Pet’s Response: If symptoms improve after switching foods, you have likely found a safe, hypoallergenic option for your pet.
The Bottom Line
There is no single “hypoallergenic” food that works for all pets—any food without allergens is hypoallergenic for that individual pet. While prescription diets are commonly labeled as “hypoallergenic,” high-quality limited-ingredient diets can be just as effective without requiring a prescription. Finding the right food requires identifying allergens, choosing a suitable formula, and monitoring your pet’s health.