An allergy is an abnormal immune response by the body. Unfortunately, there is no clear explanation of its exact causes or how it develops. It occurs when the body mistakenly identifies harmless proteins or protein-like substances as threats and reacts defensively against them. In some cases, the immune system turns against the body’s tissues, attacking its own building blocks—this is referred to as an autoimmune disease. Allergies have also become increasingly prevalent, making them a notable health trend.
In dogs, allergies primarily manifest in two forms: flea-induced and food-induced. In both cases, foreign proteins breach the body’s defence barriers, triggering an emergency response from the immune system. Flea allergies are relatively straightforward to understand—when a flea bites, it introduces saliva into the skin. Since fleas bite repeatedly and regularly, the body is continually exposed to this irritant, requiring constant defensive measures.
The other type of allergy in dogs is caused by foreign protein substances that enter the bloodstream due to the improper absorption of compounds from food in the intestines. Healthy intestines must strike a delicate balance—they must be permeable enough to absorb essential nutrients and fluids while also maintaining a robust defence mechanism to block harmful substances and pathogens.
Every day, through food and drink, a dog’s digestive system encounters a mix of nutrients, microorganisms, chemicals, and toxins. Consider how resilient a dog’s immune system must be when it can dig up a marrow bone buried for a week, chew on it, and remain unaffected. So, what happens when this delicate balance is disrupted?
When it comes to feeding your dog, two major culprits in commercial food are excessive carbohydrates, particularly grains, and heavy processing. Processing introduces a host of additives like preservatives, colourings, stabilizers, and countless other non-food substances that are common in dry dog food.
Since a dog’s digestive system is primarily adapted to a meat-based diet, plant-based ingredients must be heavily modified to make them digestible. This involves processes like flaking, micronization, extrusion, expansion, granulation, and other methods that often prioritize industry profits over the well-being of the dog. Sadly, the focus seems to be on maximizing profit rather than prioritizing the health of our canine companions.
A young animal typically starts with a healthy immune system and balanced gut flora. However, when it begins consuming such processed foods, its microbiome is gradually overwhelmed and unable to recover. Over time, this leads to inflammation in the intestines—initially subclinical and mild, but eventually progressing into chronic inflammation.
Intestinal permeability is influenced by several factors. The gut lining, composed of a single layer of modified epithelial cells, forms a critical barrier that regulates what can and cannot pass through the intestinal wall. This barrier is maintained by substances produced by the epithelial cells and is heavily reliant on a healthy microbiome, which plays a vital role in gut health.
Nutrient absorption occurs through narrow gaps between these epithelial cells, allowing only tiny building blocks to pass through. For example, proteins are broken down into individual amino acids, which are absorbed one by one and later reassembled into new proteins with entirely different structures within the body.
However, if these gaps widen, larger molecules such as peptides or polypeptides—chains of multiple amino acids—can pass through. When these larger fragments enter the bloodstream undigested, they are recognized as foreign invaders, much like flea saliva, triggering an immune response. This response is not due to an irrational immune system but rather to a defect in the gut barrier, a condition commonly known as leaky gut syndrome.
Leaky gut allows improperly digested food particles to “leak” into the bloodstream, where they alarm the immune system. This condition has gained recognition as a significant issue in both humans and companion animals, contributing to its reputation as a “fashionable” disease today.
A healthy dog’s strong immune system can often withstand the damaging effects of chronic inflammation for years. However, over time, this gradual process begins to manifest as digestive issues and other symptoms, including:
- Poor appetite
- Hair loss
- Glandular problems
- Random lumps or bumps on the body
- Ear infections
- Red or irritated eyes
- Diarrhea or loose stools
- Behavioral changes
Persistent itching, licking, chewing, or even self-inflicted wounds from rubbing.
While allergies like those caused by pollen or contact irritants do exist, experience shows that if a dog’s diet and external parasite control are properly managed, approximately 190 out of 200 allergic dogs can recover from their allergies in a remarkably short time.
This is why I believe that focusing on identifying allergens through costly skin tests—often yielding questionable or absurd results—is a misguided and unnecessary approach. For instance, I’ve seen test results claiming a dog is allergic to lawn grasses. Does that mean dogs should never step off concrete or walk on a manicured lawn, even barefoot? Such conclusions are impractical and far-fetched.
Equally perplexing is the widespread belief—accepted by much of the veterinary field—that chicken is one of the most dangerous allergens. Yet, chicken-based dog food is widely promoted and fed without hesitation. This logic seems flawed. After all, no one informed the wolf in the wild that chicken or grass should be avoided. There has never been a case of wolves developing allergies to chicken or grasses in their natural habitat.
Adding a bottle of HerbalVet Allergy Medicinal Mushroom Extract to each bag of dog food can provide your dog with a much-needed opportunity to support its immune system and overall well-being.
This article represents a personal opinion, grounded in practical experience and a reinterpretation of existing data from the literature to offer a possible explanation for well-documented processes.
It’s important to note that HerbalVet Allergy Medicinal Mushroom Extract is registered by the National Food Chain Safety Office as a medicinal product but is not classified as a medicine. Therefore, it should not be referred to as such. Additionally, it is not a substitute for a balanced, complete diet. Throughout this article, I have emphasized that incorporating this supplement into your dog’s regimen is simply a way to give it a fighting chance.
HerbalVet
Dr. Varga Miklós
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