Your dog is scratching. Ear infections keep recurring. The coat is dull, the stomach is upset, or the skin around the paws and belly is constantly red. You’ve been to the vet, changed dog food, and things have improved a little – but not completely.

What many forget to consider are treats.

Treats and Allergies – The Overlooked Connection

When a dog is placed on an elimination diet for food allergies, most dog owners change their dog's food. But the treats continue as before. This is a problem because treats contain the same protein sources as dog food – and because dogs with food allergies react to proteins, not the product itself.

One chicken-based treat a day is enough to maintain an allergic reaction, even if the dog food is 100% chicken-free.

Common Signs of Food Allergy in Dogs

Food allergies in dogs don't always look like what you expect. The most common signs are:

• Constant scratching, especially around the face, paws, and ears
• Recurrent ear infections without obvious cause
• Red, irritated skin under the belly and in the groin area
• Loose stools or alternating between loose and firm
• Dull coat that doesn't respond to grooming
• Vomiting after meals or treats

These symptoms can have many causes, and a vet visit is always the first step. But if the vet suspects food allergies, an elimination diet is the standard recommendation – and in that case, the rules for treats apply just as much as for dog food.

Elimination Diet – What it Means for Treats

An elimination diet works like this: the dog eats a single protein source (and one carbohydrate source) for 8–12 weeks. No exceptions. Not even a small corner of a treat with a different protein source.

The whole point is to clear the immune system so that you can then introduce one new ingredient at a time and observe if the dog reacts. It's a slow process, but the only reliable method to find out what your dog actually reacts to.

For this to work, the treats must match the protein in the dog food. If the dog eats lamb, the treats must also only contain lamb.

Which Treats Are Safe During an Elimination Diet?

The answer is single-protein treats that contain exactly the protein source the dog is on. Not "chicken and lamb." Not "salmon and rice." Just one protein, clearly labeled on the packaging.

In our collection of single-protein dog treats, you'll find treats from Mr. Bones and Buddy Pet Foods with the following single-protein varieties:

• Deer – A novel protein most dogs have never tried. A good starting point for allergy investigations.
• Ostrich – Another novel protein. Lean, easily digestible, and rare in standard dog food.
• Lamb – Common in special diets. Buddy Pet Foods Lamb Crunch is single-protein.
• Atlantic Fish – Mackerel, anchovy, and salmon from Mr. Bones are single-protein and well-tolerated by many dogs with food sensitivities.
• Duck – Duckalicious from Buddy Pet Foods. Single-protein, soft format, easy to break into pieces.
• Iberian Pork – For dogs not allergic to pork. Pork ear and pizzle from Mr. Bones.

Which Protein Should You Start With?

If you don't know which proteins your dog reacts to, start with something it has never eaten. Most allergies in dogs are caused by proteins they have been exposed to for a long time – usually chicken, beef, or wheat.

A novel protein like deer, ostrich, or Atlantic fish gives you the cleanest starting point. The chance that the dog is already sensitized to these is low.

And remember: one wrong treat with the wrong protein source can reset the entire observation period. It's annoying, but that's how an elimination diet works.

Read more about what single-protein dog treats are, or see all single-protein treats at Hundeoutlet. Free shipping on all orders over 249 kr.