What I Learned About Food Sensitivities and Allergies in Dogs (and How Ruby Inspired the daily canine cynbiotic™)

From Trevor, Canine Nutritionist at dogged

After our family first adopted Ruby, we quickly discovered she had a sensitive stomach, but we didn’t realize all of the factors that might be contributing to this until we ran an IDEXX allergy test. The results surprised me. Foods I had always thought were “safe,” including some novel proteins, appeared bright red in her test results, and that sent me down a rabbit hole, learning about the difference between sensitivities and allergies in dogs.

Allergies vs. Sensitivities: What’s the Difference

Food allergies in dogs are immune-related reactions. The body mistakes certain proteins as threats and responds with inflammation. These reactions can show up as itchy skin, ear infections, or chronic paw licking. These flare ups are consistent with allergen exposure and can result from even a small amount of exposure.

Sensitivities, on the other hand, are more closely linked to digestion. They can cause loose stool, bloating, or intermittent vomiting. These reactions aren’t caused by the immune system directly, but rather by an imbalance in the gut that affects how foods are digested and absorbed.

Here’s where it gets confusing. Both allergies and sensitivities can appear as problematic on allergy tests, because a blood test measures antibodies that can arise from either irritation or allergen exposure. That’s what I learned the hard way with Ruby.

How the Gut Plays a Role

The gut isn’t just for digestion. It’s the foundation of your dog’s immune system. Around 70% of a dog’s immune cells live in the gut. When the microbiome (the community of bacteria, yeasts, and other microbes) is out of balance, the immune system can become overactive and start reacting to harmless foods.

In Ruby’s case, a round of antibiotics as a puppy likely wiped out much of her beneficial bacteria. Without those protective microbes, her gut barrier weakened, leading to inflammation and a cascade of sensitivities. Over time, I learned that restoring balance in her gut was the key to calming her immune system and improving her tolerance.

Why It’s a Lifelong Journey

Digestive and immune health aren’t quick fixes. They evolve with diet, environment, and age. Dogs with early sensitivities can sometimes develop new ones later or see old triggers return.

For Ruby, it’s been about keeping her meals fresh and simple. Limited-ingredient meals made from whole foods, with supportive nutrients like omega-3s, fiber, and antioxidants. These choices reduce stress on her system and give her gut the resources it needs to repair and protect.

The Inspiration Behind the daily canine synbiotic™

Ruby’s journey was the spark that led me to create the daily canine synbiotic™. It’s a blend of probiotics, prebiotics, and functional ingredients that nourish the microbiome and support immune balance. It’s built from years of learning, testing, and love, and it’s the product I wish I had when I first saw those IDEXX results.

Every dog’s gut story is different, but they all deserve the chance to feel their best from the inside out.