Food Elimination Trial Pointers & Pitfalls
Compliance is a Big Issue! Reports show that for food allergy dietary compliance is only 19% for dogs and 18% for cats! Food Trials require a compliant owner! This cannot be emphasized enough!
  • You cannot do a food trial on a free-roaming pet. Don't even bother to try!  Food trials can only be accomplished when you have complete control of what your pet is eating.
  • Everyone in the family must be motivated and able to comply with the test diet trial. If there is a family member who is incapable of cooperation, then either the pet must be crated during meal times and when snacks are at hand, or the trial cannot be accomplished.
  • Family motivation can be improved by keeping a log and making this a family project. Weekly records of itching level and honest recording of trial “accidents” on the log can provide extra motivation and good information as well.
  • Recheck monthly! Remember, you are performing a diagnostic test at home.  Monthly rechecks also allow us to check for weight gain or loss, flea control, secondary infection and other things that can complicate interpretation. 
Food Trial in Practice
  • Home cooked diets are a tried and true option and we can provide recipes if this is desired.
  • Take approximately one week to gradually introduce the new diet by mixing 50:50 with the old food.
  • If possible store the old food in the freezer for the re-challenge.
  • Treats of any kind can complicate the trial. If you feel you need to give some treats there are a limited number of acceptable options*
  • Switch to non-chewable heartworm preventive! You can use either a topical product such as Advantage Multi or Revolution, or you can get a non-chewable pill.
  • How Long?  You should continue until you have an obvious improvement and that improvement is sustained for at least two weeks, preferably without antibiotics on board. We don't give up on getting that improvement until 12 weeks of accident-free trialing has been accomplished. 
*Some treat options
              - In a blender, mix the prescribed diet kibble with enough water to make a doughy consistency.  Add a little honey.  Ball up the mixture in
                 an appropriate size and stored on wax paper in a zip top bag in the refrigerator.
              - Slice the canned version of the prescribed diet into ¼ - ½ inch slices then cut into appropriately sized wedges.  Bake in the oven until
                 dehydrated.
Common Pitfalls
  • Pet is an escape artist and gets out of the yard.
  • Neighbors' kids like to feed pets through the fence.
  • Cat vomit and worse – “tootsie rolls for dogs”.
  • Getting in the garbage and other bad habits.
  • Social events ... how cute! He is begging!
  • Dr. Google and Pet Store Wisdom.
  • Grandma thinks it is ridiculous. 
Weekly Itch Report Card