This personal project aims to identify potential dietary or environmental allergies for my dog Patti through a mixed methods diary study. The study will track diet, behaviours, and allergy symptoms over time to ensure a structured and data-driven approach.
Introduction
Canine allergies represent a growing concern for pet owners as they can significantly impact the health and quality of life of dogs. Allergies in dogs may manifest through a range of symptoms, including scratching, paw licking, ear infections, gastrointestinal disturbances, and behavioural changes such as irritability or reduced energy levels. Common triggers include dietary allergens, environmental factors (e.g., pollen), and chemical exposures from cleaning or grooming products. While elimination diets remain the gold standard for identifying food-related allergies, the multifactorial nature of allergic reactions complicates diagnosis and management (Olivry & Mueller, 2020).
Based on initial investigations and a review of available literature, as far as the researcher is aware, there are limited resources or tools designed for systematic allergy tracking in non-clinical, owner-led settings. This gap presents challenges for pet owners and veterinary professionals seeking data-driven insights into real-world allergy management.
This study aims to address this gap by implementing a longitudinal, mixed-method single-case design to explore correlations between diet, environmental factors, and allergic symptomatology in a companion dog living in an urban environment. By systematically tracking symptoms, environmental exposures, and contextual observations over multiple 10-week periods, this research seeks to provide insights into practical, owner-led allergy management strategies. Given that even minor dietary indiscretions or overlooked items such as flavoured medications or treats can compromise results, rigorous monitoring is essential.
Research Question:
How does a single-protein elimination diet, combined with environmental exposures (pollen, air quality, household factors), influence the severity and frequency of allergy-related symptoms in a mixed-breed dog?
Hypotheses:
- An elimination diet will result in a measurable reduction in symptom severity compared to baseline.
- Environmental variables such as pollen levels and outdoor exposure duration will correlate with fluctuations in symptom scores.
- Qualitative observations will reveal patterns that support or contextualize quantitative findings, highlighting behavioural and emotional indicators associated with allergic discomfort.
Method
Study design: This study employs a mixed-methods longitudinal design, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative measures to evaluate the relationship between diet, environmental factors, and allergy-related symptoms in a single canine participant over an 8-week elimination diet period, preceded by a baseline observation phase. Data will be collected daily using structured logs and environmental context tracking, supplemented with qualitative reflections.
Participant: The primary participant in this study is Patti, an adult mixed-breed female dog originating from Bulgaria and adopted through the Everyday Stray shelter (https://everydaystray.org/support-us). DNA analysis via Wisdom Panel revealed 19 identified breeds. The five most prominent breeds are Golden Retriever (21%), Segugio Italiano (15%), German Shepherd Dog (14%), Chihuahua (13%), and Peruvian Inca Orchid (5%). Additional participants include the owner, who serves as researcher and primary data collector, as well as a regular dog walker who will contribute observational data from twice-weekly walks.
Procedure: Confirming food allergy in dogs typically requires an elimination diet followed by systematic reintroduction of previous foods to observe symptom recurrence. This process can be complex, with owner compliance identified as a limiting factor.
References
Jackson, H. A., & Dembele, V. (2024). Conducting a successful diet trial for the diagnosis of food allergy in dogs and cats. Veterinary Dermatology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.13274
Jackson, H. A. (2023). Food allergy in dogs and cats: Current perspectives on etiology, diagnosis, and management. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 261(S1), S22–S27. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.22.12.0548
Olivry, T., & Mueller, R. S. (2020). Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (9): Time to flare of cutaneous signs after a dietary challenge in dogs and cats with food allergies. BMC Veterinary Research, 16, Article 158. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-020-02363-4
Brian Grellmann 