The feed must have short-chain peptides, which reduces the chance of allergic reactions

If your pet has itching and skin problems for no apparent reason, it may be allergic. Food allergy is the third most common cause and accounts for about 10% of all allergies in dogs and cats. This number is exceeded only by allergies to fleas and atopic dermatitis, a genetic disease that involves the immune system.

Any food protein consumed over time can cause food allergy or sensitivity. The presence of some additives, dyes, and grains may also trigger the allergy. This reaction may be inherited, but some breeds, such as Lhasa Apso, English, and French Bulldog, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Yorkshire, Poodle, and Boxer, are more prone to allergies.

To keep allergies under control, the common feed must be changed to a specific one that does not contain the causative agent of the allergy. If this causative agent has not been identified yet, choose a feed that contains ingredients less susceptible to sensitivity. Generally, these feed are labeled as hypoallergenic or as feed for sensitive animals.

According to Márcia Villaça, Technical Sales Manager – Pet & Aqua of ICC Brazil, a company specialized in yeast-based additives, the feed of allergic animals must have protein sources containing a high percentage of short-chain peptides; autolyzed proteins are a good option. “When an intact protein is broken down into small molecules, the immune system does not recognize it as an allergen anymore. This eliminates the possibility of an adverse reaction to food,” says Villaça.

ICC Brazil’s Lyscell^® is an autolyzed yeast with a high concentration of short-chain peptides and, therefore, suitable for this feed profile. “Lyscell^® is submitted to a process that removes any existing allergens. This prevents the immunological recognition in animals already sensitized to intact protein,” explains Márcia.