Great news for puppies: a new study shows that there is a significant link between diet and allergies. The research highlights that feeding a species appropriate diet (ie. raw food) can help prevent the onset of allergies in later life.

Researchers at the University of Helsinki looked at allergy symptoms and diet across 4022 dogs from infancy. The 2021 study suggests that diet is a sig­ni­ficant factor in the development of allergy and related skin issues in puppies.

According to lead researcher Anna Hielm-Björkman: 

"The puppies that had been fed raw tripe, raw organ meats, and human meal leftovers during puppyhood showed significantly less allergy and atopy related skin symptoms in adult life.

On the other hand, puppies not getting any raw foods, eating most of their food as dry food, i.e. kibble, being fed fruits, and heat-dried animal parts, had significantly more allergy and atopy related skin symptoms in adulthood".

ALLERGIES IN DOGS

The study looked at atopic dermatitis, an inflammatory allergic skin disease that begins during the first 3 years of life. It is currently estimated to affect over 18% of dogs, up from 10% in 2001. Symptoms include itching, scratching, rubbing, licking, redness and an unpleasant odour.

Suffering from allergies is a horrible experience for your dog, and something we want to avoid if possible.

Researchers now think that microbial exposure during puppyhood is essential for programming the immune system and modifying its future inflammatory responses. The fresh meat during the early stages of life may lead to microbial exposure that enhances the immune system's maturation, and help to prevent the development of allergies later in life.

The Helsinki study found that a minimum of 20% fresh raw food is needed in the diet to see a significant decrease in allergy and skin related symptoms. Dogs that did not eat raw food were significantly more likely to experience food allergies.

HOW TO PREVENT ALLERGIES 

The study concludes that exposure to raw food during puppyhood is likely to have a protective influence against the development of allergies. It also suggests that exposure to processed foods (kibble) may be a key factor triggering the development of allergies. 

It is clear to us that a properly formulated raw diet is the best option for dogs - especially while they are growing puppies. If you need to feed processed food, keep it to 80% of the diet maximum. Even 20% of the diet being raw has a significant impact on their future health.

The key takeaway: make sure your puppy eats raw!