What is an elimination diet and how does it work?

An elimination diet trial is the definitive method for diagnosing food allergies in dogs. This approach involves feeding your dog a novel protein they've never eaten before, such as Lyka's Hypoallergenic Pro, which contains a single novel protein: goat.

Here's how the process works:

1. Gradually transition your dog from their current food to Hypoallergenic Pro over a 10-day period.
2. Feed your dog only Hypoallergenic Pro for 8-12 weeks. Eliminate all other foods, including treats and supplements.
3. If your dog's condition improves after this period, systematically reintroduce one protein at a time in 2-week intervals to identify specific food sensitivities.
4. Monitor and record any skin or gut symptoms during the trial using Lyka's Elimination Diet Tracker or consult with your vet.
5. Once identified, avoid all known food triggers in the future.

If your pup shows no improvement while following this diet, please consult with your vet.

For more detailed information about elimination diets and a step-by-step guide with a downloadable worksheet, visit our blog post.