Do you suffer with allergies?
You may be surprised to learn that dogs can suffer from allergies just like humans.
These allergies could be related to food, household products or environmental factors.
I was feeding my Alaskan Klee Kai dogs fish recipes for months but I couldn’t figure out why they were still suffering with some digestive problems. Once I got my hands on a dog allergy test, I was surprised to learn that they had a mild intolerance for fish.
Alternatively some dogs could be allergic to environmental factors, such as dust mites, fleas, pollen or mould.
Dog allergy tests can help UK pet owners make an informed decision about what type of protein source to feed their dog or give them guide on what products to remove from their home.
If you can’t work out why your dog won’t eat their food or why your puppy is getting tear stains, there are a growing number of dog allergy tests in the UK to provide British pet parents with answers.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at four of the best dog allergy tests in the UK that are available to buy right now.
Jump To Section
What Is A Dog Allergy Test?
Dog Allergy Tests can be an important and insightful tool for pet owners.
By submitting your dog to an allergy test, you can learn about any potential intolerances your dog may have to certain types of food or external environmental factors.
Undetected, these intolerances or sensitives could have a detrimental and destructive impact on the lives of dogs.
For example, I was feeding my Alaskan Klee Kai dogs a fresh food diet for months that was tailored to their specific needs. However, I was confused that they were still struggling with digestive problems in spite of eating balanced and complete meals.
To my surprise, I learned from my dog allergy test that my dogs had a high intolerance to fish and white rice, which were two of the main ingredients in their daily food.
As a result, I was able to cut fish and white rice out of their diet completely. Their digestive issues are a thing of the past thanks to their new protein source in their meals.
The dog allergy tests that I’ve reviewed will provide British pet owners with all the tools required to take a sample of your dog’s salvia or some hair strands to be examined by their team of experts.
You won’t have to wait long for an answer – most dog allergy test companies will have your dog’s results within weeks of submitting your sample.
Once you’ve been informed by email or mail about any potential intolerances your dog may have, you can make an immediate adjustment to their diet like I did or remove the household product or external element causing the problem.
We recommend speaking to your vet about your dog’s results so you can tailor your dog’s food or your lifestyle accordingly to limit your dog’s exposure to any sensitives they may have.
What Causes Dog Allergies?
Corgi eats dry food (Photo: Adobe Stock)
So you’re probably curious to what causes a dog to have an allergic reaction. Well they’re no different to humans who suffer with allergies, intolerances or sensitives.
Your dog could be allergic to a paticular ingredient in their dog food, a household product that you’re using at home such as an essential oil or even pollen that you dog is exposed to during their daily walks.
The American Kennel Club writes that allergies are a misguided reaction to foreign substances by the body’s immune system, which, of course, both people and pets can suffer from.
You may have noticed that your dog is scratching or licking themselves a lot, their coat texture has changed or their stools are an unusual color or texture.
The AKC explain online that dog allergies are most often associated with skin and gastrointestinal tract.
About 10 to 15 percent of dogs with food allergies will have both skin and GI signs, and about 20 to 30 percent of dogs with food allergies will also have itchy skin from other non-food allergies.
Some dog breeds may be at greater risk for food allergies. The AKC list popular breeds such as Cocker Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, Poodles, and Chinese Shar-Pei.
Unfortunately, dog owners can’t do anything to cure a dog’s food intolerance. Your only solution is to avoid the offending food to avoid further issues.
This is why a dog allergy test can be so important to pet parents.
As I mentioned above, I was tearing my hair out because my dogs loved a particular brand of food but I couldn’t figure out why they stopped eating when I made the switch to fish.
It wasn’t until I ordered a dog allergy test that I learned of their severe intolerance for fish. The result were extremely detailed so I could take preventative steps to avoid other mild and less severe sensitives that they had.
Types Of Dog Allergies
Labrador being fed dry food (Photo: Adobe Stock)
The American Kennel Club explain that there are few different types of allergies in dogs that pet parents should be aware of. They’re skin allergies, food allergies and environmental allergies.
Skin allergies will usually take the shape of an allergic reaction to fleabites. Dogs can be allergic to flea salvia, resulting in persistent itching or scratching.
However, food allergies can also cause itchy skin. The AKC write that dogs will usually itch their ears and paws if they’ve got an allergies to a particular type of food. Dog owners will have to keep an eye out for stomach issues where food allergies are concerned.
Environmental allergens can take the shape of dust, pollen and mold. The AKC explain that these are usually seasonal, so your dog may struggle with these
environmental allergens at a certain time of year.
In extremely severe circumstances, some dogs may go into anaphylactic shock if they have a severe reaction to an allergen. The AKC warn that this could be fatal if it isn’t treated.
If you suspect your dog has a problem with allergies no matter how severe, we urge you to speak to your vet as soon as possible.
This article doesn’t constitute medical or professional advice and is no substitute for speaking to your regular veterinarian.
What Allergies Can You Test For?
A dog allergy test is no substitute for a consultation with your vet so we strongly advise that you make an appointment at your local clinic if you suspect dog allergies could be causing your pup discomfort.
Dog allergy tests can be a useful tool for pet owners and vets to learn more about what sensitivities your canine companion might have.
As we’ve already touched upon, a dog allergy test will examine any food sensitivities and environmental factors that could be triggering allergies.
Best Dog Allergy Tests UK – Four Of The Best
Having taking you through some of the basics of dog allergies, we recommend your do further research to get a clear and thorough understanding on this topic. Now we’ll take a look at three of the best dog allergy tests in the UK available to British dog owners right now.
1) Easy DNA Dog Allergy Test
Where to order: www.easydna.co.uk
Labrador puppy at clinic (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Easy DNA are one of the leading operators in the dog allergy test market with over 18 years of experience in the DNA testing industry.
We were encouraged to learn that their DNA tests are performed at accredited laboratories and they operate a network of offices and agents in over 25 countries worldwide.
Easy DNA write on their website that their desire was to provide a “useful and affordable tool” to determine the sensitivities and intolerances that could be impacting your dog’s quality of life.
Main Points
• Over 119 allergens tested – Easy DNA UK will test for over 119 allergens that could be triggering an allergic reaction of varying degrees in your dog.
• Ranking system – Easy DNA UK use a ranking system to outline your dog’s intolerance level to a particular allergen: strong intolerance (positive), no intolerance (negative) and mild (reaction to allergen but not a sufficient level to get a positive reading).
• 2-week waiting period – Once Easy DNA UK receive your dog’s salvia sample, they’ll usually email your results within 2 to 3 weeks so you can make the appropriate changes to your dog’s life.
• Simple at-home sample collection – They provide a simple to use testing kit. It’s easy to use so you can quickly and painlessly collect a salvia sample from your dog.
• Multi pet discount – If you’ve got two dogs or more like me, Easy DNA UK have you covered. They offer a £20 discount if you order a dog allergy test for a second or third dog. It could be for you or a friend.
Price, Shipping and Where To Buy
Easy DNA UK’s Dog Allergy Test costs £89. If you order a second or third allergy test, you will receive a £20 discount on each kit. So your second and third kit will be reduced to £69.
Unlike some other dog allergy test kits we’ll review later in this article, you can only order Easy DNA UK’s allergy test from their website. So you’ll have a clear line of communication if you need any help.
British dog owners can have their Easy DNA UK allergy kit sent by First Class Mail (free), Next Day Delivery, International Registered Mail or International Courier.
Our Verdict
Easy DNA UK sent me a dog allergy test to use on my Alaskan Klee Kai. I found collecting the sample easy, I just placed the swab in my dog’s cheek and made sure to swab both sides.
Once my test was sent off, I received the results within two weeks. The report was clear and easy to understand, outlining severe, mild and no intolerances. I was able to immediately adjust my Alaskan Klee Kai’s diet to remove the allergen from their food.
I really appreciated that Easy DNA UK list all the allergens that they test for so I had peace of mind knowing certain protein sources would cause an upset.
What Are Customers Saying About This Product?
EasyDNA had a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars on independent review website Trustpilot at the time of writing. It’s worth remembering this score is based in the company as a whole rather than their dog allergy testing kits.
A customer with two dogs was delighted with the information attained from the allergy test.
I had my 2 dogs allergy tested. The results were remarkable, totally different from what I expected. After eliminating the trigger foods and supplements from their diet, I now have happy healthy dogs.
Another dog owner was pleased to get the results sooner than expected.
They’re a very good company to deal with, they advised us when they had received our sample and we received the results much sooner than the 3 weeks we thought we would have to wait. Results came through by e-mail and with a hard copy by post, Excellent service, would highly recommend.
A pet parent explained why she felt the test was good value for money.
It was a very easy process with progress updates and a quick response. Didn’t get the result I had been lead to expect, but then again, that is why I did the test for for my dog. Information provided with the certificate was very interesting and helpful. Highly recommended!
Any Negatives?
Easy DNA UK provide a professional service so you can expect to pay a premium price. However, if your dog does suffer with an intolerance or sensitivity, you’ll hopefully be able to adjust your dog’s diet to prevent further trips to the vet in the future.
Anything Else To Consider?
Their Dog Allergy test is not a DNA test. It is also not a typical allergy test. This test uses the proteins in the dog’s system to help you learn the sensitivities and intolerances your pet may be experiencing so you can have a better understanding of what they may not be able to tolerate.
Conclusion
EasyDNA UK are one of the leading DNA companies in the world.
Their at-home collection kit is easy to use so most dog owners will be able to take a sample themselves unless you’ve got a big dog breed and require help from another family member.
Offering a two to three week turnaround, your results will be sent to your email so it’s easy and hassle free.
Their dog allergy test is one of the most reliable on the market, testing for over 119 allergens.
Your results are clear and concise, being broken into three categories so you can take simple steps to protect your dog’s health.
2) My Pet Sensitivity
Website: mypetsensitivity.com
Cat scratches in front of Golden Retriever (Photo: Adobe Stock)
My Pet Sensitivity are a well-established company in the UK who have a lot of experience where testing pets is concerned.
They hope to provide pet owners with an in-depth and unique insight into their dogs and cats so they can enrich the lives of their furry friends.
My Pet Sensitivity are striving to make allergy testing affordable to pet owners, while ensuring a straightforward testing process. They offer a 100% money back guarantee if pet parents aren’t satisfied.
Main Points
• Over 460 items tested – they cover common sensitivities for proteins, grains, vegetables, fruits, fats, seafood, additives and vitamins, plus many more.
• Hairs for testing – Unlike other tests in this feature, My Pet Sensitivity require a hair sample rather than a salvia sample. So pet owners will need to collect 4-5 strands.
• Results within 3 days – Your results will be delivered securely to your inbox within 3 days after being analysed by their team of experts against a range of food & non-food products. They’ll be split into High Reactivity and Moderate Reactivity.
• 100% money back guarantee – They offer a full money back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied with your results.
Price, Shipping and Where To Buy
You can only purchase My Pet Sensitivity’s tests on their official website.
Their dog sensitivity test costs £29.99, their cat sensitivity test costs £29.99 and horse sensitivity test costs £24.99.
If you buy two or more tests, the cost of each test will be £19.99.
Our Verdict
It’s easy to order the test and you don’t have to wait for the company to send out a testing kit. You’ll receive an email with simple instructions so you can get started without delay.
The hair samples were relatively easy to collect and it was easy to follow the steps to send back to My Pet Sensitivity. They were extremely quick to turnaround my results. They did so in less than 48 hours!
The results were split into High Reactivity and Moderate Reactivity. I was surprised to learn that my male Alaskan Klee Kai had a high reactivity to peanut butter – which I usually give as a treat.
My Pet Sensitivity are competitively priced within the market and they typically test for more items than other companies so I feel their service represents good value for money.
What Are Customers Saying About This Product?
My Pet Sensitivity appears to be a relatively new to independent review website Trustpilot. At the time of writing, they’ve got an average score of 4.3 stars based upon less than 10 reviews.
Natalie gave 10/10 for the company based upon her experience using My Pet Sensitivity.
So impressed, WELL worth the money got our results so fast and the amount of information was incredible. 10/10!
Ruth noted an improvement in her dog’s condition since eliminating allergens thanks to My Pet Sensitivity.
I’m so pleased I ordered this test. Our dog has suffered with bad skin for a couple of years and vet injections only seem to cure it for a short period of time. Since making changes suggested in the report I’ve noticed a significant improvement in his skin condition and character.
Any Negatives?
We struggled to find any real negatives with My Pet Sensitivity. However, some pet owners may find it more difficult to collect a hair sample (it needs to be as close to the root as possible). For some pet parents, it might be easier to secure a salvia sample. It’ll depend on each individual owner.
Conclusion
My Pet Sensitivity offer a welcome alternative in the pet allergy testing marketplace.
If you’d prefer the simplicity of collecting a hair sample rather than a salvia sample, this test is for you.
You don’t have to wait for a test to arrive at your home as My Pet Sensitivity will send all the necessary information via email.
They’ve got a quick turnaround in three days (mine arrived in 48 hours) and the results are neatly displayed in two categories.
You can get a 5% discount by using the coupon code BARK5 at the checkout to make a 5% saving on your purchase. Click here to purchase your My Pet Sensitivity Test now.
3) Affinity DNA Dog Allergy Test
Where To Order: www.amazon.co.uk
Pug is checked over by vet (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Affinity DNA are another well-known DNA testing company that operate in the UK.
They’ve got 10 years’ experience in the DNA business and established partnerships with highly accredited DNA testing laboratories in the world.
Their website promises that there’ll be no hidden fees, while their customer service team are available to guide you through the process from start to finish.
Main Points
116 allergens – AffinityDNA’s Dog Allergy Test will test for 116 common possible allergens.
Simple testing kit – British pet parents are able to take the sample at home and send the kit to AffinityDNA.
Results in 4 weeks – The company write on their website that they hope to have results from your dog’s allergy test within four weeks of the receiving the sample.
Price, Shipping and Where To Buy
Dog owners in the UK can buy AffinityDNA Dog Allergy Test at £94.95 on Amazon.co.uk. There is no discount provided by AffinityDNA on their Amazon page for dog owners who buy more than one test at a time.
What Are Customers Saying About This Product?
AffinityDNA’s Dog Allergy Test gets an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 based upon 26 reviews on Amazon.co.uk.
A dog owner with a Staffy was delighted with the test.
My Staffy had terrible skin allergies and vets kept giving him monthly injections and steroids. This test clearly indicated he was allergic to chicken and eggs. He is now happy, not itchy and has a beautiful glossy coat. I wish I’d bought this a long time ago instead of spending a fortune at vets.
Kimberley was thrilled to find out her dog had 13 intolerances, allowing her to make a change immediately.
Admittedly, I was dubious. Getting enough saliva from our sub 3kg pup was the hardest part of this… but worth it in the end. We got our results within the three week time frame and found out that she had a total of 13 things to avoid. The results were really clear and concise.
Any Negatives?
AffinityDNA offer a test for 116 allergens, which is slightly less than EasyDNA. Their turnaround is slightly slower than EasyDNA, too.
The price of their test is a little more expensive and they don’t offer a multi-pet discount through their Amazon page.
Having said that, they do get great customer reviews on Amazon.
Conclusion
AffinityDNA have a slightly smaller scope than some of their rivals when it comes to testing for potential allergens.
Having said that, they’ll still be able to test for 116 food and environmental items that your dog may be sensitive to.
They’ll also suggest some food and household products to avoid.
4) Healthy Stuff Online Pet Sensitivity and Intolerance Test
Where To Buy: www.healthystuff.com
Husky puppy has a check up (Photo: Adobe Stock)
The Healthy Stuff Online have been operating for over 11 years, providing health tests, products and services.
Their website outlines that their mission is to help their customers find a healthier version of themselves.
Healthy Stuff Online want to promote overall wellbeing and happiness, which extends to dogs.
Main Points
Comprehensive Pet Testing – Healthy Stuff Online offer a pet testing kit that will tests for a variety of different foods such as gluten, wheat, milk, eggs, meat, fish and more. However, they don’t list how many potential food and household items are covered in their test unlike EasyDNA or AffinityDNA.
Painless Process – Unlike the other two tests that we’ve reviewed in this article, Healthy Stuff Online require a hair sample rather than a salvia sample.
Fast Results – Healthy Stuff Online aim to send your dog’s results to your email within 7-10 days of receiving your sample.
Price, Shipping and Where To Buy
You can purchase Healthy Stuff Online’s Pet Sensitivity and Intolerance Test on on their website at a cost of £35.99. You can get 25% off your first order by entering Healthy Stuff coupon code ‘hellobark’ at the checkout. That’ll take the cost of your test to around £27.
What Are Customers Saying About This Product?
Healthy Stuff Online’s Pet Sensitivity and Intolerance Test gets an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 based upon 17 reviews on Amazon.
One dog owner was disappointed by the lack of detail in her pup’s report.
I thought the result would have been more in depth as it only highlighted things that my dog was highly sensitive to where as I thought it would have provided results for everything. That being said, 1 thing that it said was highly sensitive my dog was actually eating at the time and once I removed it the ear inflammation and itching did reduce.
Selena was satisfied with her test but admitted she may do another more thorough one.
I already knew about my dog’s salmon and dairy allergy, and this confirmed it and I found out about a lamb, soy, yeast, and barley allergy. This has been helpful, but I will probably have to do another test with a company that tests more allergens as my dog probably has other allergies that they didn’t test for.
Any Negatives?
As a couple of dog owners highlighted in the above reviews, Healthy Stuff Online don’t offer as thorough a test as some of their competitors. They only highlight substances that your dog has a high sensitivity to.
If you’ve got a suspicion your dog may have an intolerance to a certain food, this could confirm or deny it but I prefer a lot more detail to see a list of over 100 allergens that have been included in the test.
Conclusion
Healthy Stuff Online offer a competitively priced dog intolerance and sensitivity test. However, you are paying for what you get.
It doesn’t go into the same detail as the other companies that we’ve reviewed in this article.
This may suit some UK dog owners who have a tight budget, but you don’t want to have to order a second test from a different company further down the line.
Don’t forget you can get 25% off your first Healthy Stuff order by entering the Healthy Stuff coupon code ‘hellobark’ at the checkout.
What Are The Common Symptoms Of Allergies?
If you suspect your dog is suffering with an allergy problem, you should contact your vet and seek their professional advice immediately.
There are some common symptoms to look out for that may suggest your dog is struggling with an intolerance or sensitivity.
• Itchy, red, moist or scabbed skin
• Increased scratching
• Itchy, runny eyes
• Itchy ears and ear infections
• Sneezing
• Diarrhoea
• Snoring
• Constant licking
Do Different Breeds Suffer From Different Allergies?
As we touched upon earlier in this best dog allergy test UK feature, some breeds are more susceptible to specific allergies.
For example, EasyDNA list on their website the following breeds for being senstive to issues with food or airborne allergies:
• Maltese terrier
• Pekingese
• German Shepherd
• Bull Terriers
• Bichon Frise
• English Cocker Spaniel
• Brussels Griffon
• American Hairless Terrier
• Shih Tzu,
• American Pit Bull Terrier
• Chinese Crested/Powderpuff
• Poodle
• Irish Setter
• English Bulldog
• Pugs
Shipping And Where To Buy
The best dog allergy tests in the UK listed within this article can all be shipped to a UK address. However, we recommend double checking before you press order.
Most of the dog allergy testing companies will provide postage for returning your kit to the appropriate laboratory.
Anything Else To Consider?
It’s important to remember that the Dog Allergy Tests listed in this article test for intolerances and sensitivities to food and common substances.
However, they won’t be able to determine whether your dog has an acute allergy. For this, you’ll need to speak to your vet who can explore this further with you.
We need to emphasize that this article doesn’t constitute medical or professional advice. If you’ve got a concern about your dog having an allergy or intolerance to a certain food or household substance, you should speak to your vet.
Wrapping Things Up – Our Final Thoughts
Golden Retriever at the vet (Photo: Adobe Stock)
We’ve reached the end of our feature on the best dog allergy tests in the UK.
Hopefully you’ve got a clear idea of what a dog allergy testing company can test for.
The companies reviewed in this article all offer test kits that allow dog owners to take a sample at home.
We’ve selected the four best dog allergy tests on offer to British pet parents at the moment.
EasyDNA is one of our top pick given they’ve got the most experience, offer the most comprehensive test with over 119 potential allergens covered and a two-week turnaround.
If you’re sticking to a budget and you want a more competitively priced test, you could go for My Pet Sensitivity. They offer a 5% discount for our readers when you use the coupon code BARK5 at the checkout. Click here to purchase your My Pet Sensitivity Test now.
However, you won’t go too far wrong if you opt for AffinityDNA or Healthy Stuff Online.
