Abstract-based review · 2026
Blinded food challenges in dogs with adverse food reactions
Most dogs reacted to at least one food; half also reacted to one placebo challenge.
Review scope
Abstract-based review. Full methods, complete statistical results and product equivalence have not been appraised. This is research context, not an individual feeding or treatment recommendation.
Study question and design
Dogs with atopic dermatitis and adverse food reactions. Randomised blinded challenges with eight individual foods, each 40 g daily for one week, and two placebo challenges.
Main findings
Most dogs reacted to at least one food; half also reacted to one placebo challenge.
Limitations and applicability
Small selected clinical sample. The results do not establish general ingredient allergy rates or justify unsupervised food challenges.
Ingredients investigated
Direct ingredient investigations
Beef
Direct · dog. 12 dogs with atopic dermatitis and adverse food reactions.
Tested form: Single food challenge using beef; not a hydrolysed, rendered or extracted substitute. Dose: 40 g/day of the single food item (Daily oral food challenge mixed with the dog's elimination diet and water). Duration: One week per challenge; randomized order of eight food items and two placebo challenges. Comparator: Placebo challenges with elimination diet and water.
Measured finding: This food was investigated as one challenge item, but its individual reaction rate is not isolated in the abstract. Across food challenges, 91.7% of dogs reacted to one to six items; half also reacted during one placebo challenge.
Limitations: 12 selected dogs; item-specific results not available in the reviewed abstract. Placebo reactions reduce certainty in interpreting food-challenge responses. Exact food preparation must be retained.
Cod
Direct · dog. 12 dogs with atopic dermatitis and adverse food reactions.
Tested form: Single food challenge using codfish; not a hydrolysed, rendered or extracted substitute. Dose: 40 g/day of the single food item (Daily oral food challenge mixed with the dog's elimination diet and water). Duration: One week per challenge; randomized order of eight food items and two placebo challenges. Comparator: Placebo challenges with elimination diet and water.
Measured finding: This food was investigated as one challenge item, but its individual reaction rate is not isolated in the abstract. Across food challenges, 91.7% of dogs reacted to one to six items; half also reacted during one placebo challenge.
Limitations: 12 selected dogs; item-specific results not available in the reviewed abstract. Placebo reactions reduce certainty in interpreting food-challenge responses. Exact food preparation must be retained.
Maize or corn
Direct · dog. 12 dogs with atopic dermatitis and adverse food reactions.
Tested form: Single food challenge using corn flour; not a hydrolysed, rendered or extracted substitute. Dose: 40 g/day of the single food item (Daily oral food challenge mixed with the dog's elimination diet and water). Duration: One week per challenge; randomized order of eight food items and two placebo challenges. Comparator: Placebo challenges with elimination diet and water.
Measured finding: This food was investigated as one challenge item, but its individual reaction rate is not isolated in the abstract. Across food challenges, 91.7% of dogs reacted to one to six items; half also reacted during one placebo challenge.
Limitations: 12 selected dogs; item-specific results not available in the reviewed abstract. Placebo reactions reduce certainty in interpreting food-challenge responses. Exact food preparation must be retained.
Cow’s milk
Direct · dog. 12 dogs with atopic dermatitis and adverse food reactions.
Tested form: Single food challenge using cow's milk; not a hydrolysed, rendered or extracted substitute. Dose: 40 g/day of the single food item (Daily oral food challenge mixed with the dog's elimination diet and water). Duration: One week per challenge; randomized order of eight food items and two placebo challenges. Comparator: Placebo challenges with elimination diet and water.
Measured finding: This food was investigated as one challenge item, but its individual reaction rate is not isolated in the abstract. Across food challenges, 91.7% of dogs reacted to one to six items; half also reacted during one placebo challenge.
Limitations: 12 selected dogs; item-specific results not available in the reviewed abstract. Placebo reactions reduce certainty in interpreting food-challenge responses. Exact food preparation must be retained.
Egg
Direct · dog. 12 dogs with atopic dermatitis and adverse food reactions.
Tested form: Single food challenge using hen's egg; not a hydrolysed, rendered or extracted substitute. Dose: 40 g/day of the single food item (Daily oral food challenge mixed with the dog's elimination diet and water). Duration: One week per challenge; randomized order of eight food items and two placebo challenges. Comparator: Placebo challenges with elimination diet and water.
Measured finding: This food was investigated as one challenge item, but its individual reaction rate is not isolated in the abstract. Across food challenges, 91.7% of dogs reacted to one to six items; half also reacted during one placebo challenge.
Limitations: 12 selected dogs; item-specific results not available in the reviewed abstract. Placebo reactions reduce certainty in interpreting food-challenge responses. Exact food preparation must be retained.
Lamb
Direct · dog. 12 dogs with atopic dermatitis and adverse food reactions.
Tested form: Single food challenge using lamb; not a hydrolysed, rendered or extracted substitute. Dose: 40 g/day of the single food item (Daily oral food challenge mixed with the dog's elimination diet and water). Duration: One week per challenge; randomized order of eight food items and two placebo challenges. Comparator: Placebo challenges with elimination diet and water.
Measured finding: This food was investigated as one challenge item, but its individual reaction rate is not isolated in the abstract. Across food challenges, 91.7% of dogs reacted to one to six items; half also reacted during one placebo challenge.
Limitations: 12 selected dogs; item-specific results not available in the reviewed abstract. Placebo reactions reduce certainty in interpreting food-challenge responses. Exact food preparation must be retained.
Wheat
Direct · dog. 12 dogs with atopic dermatitis and adverse food reactions.
Tested form: Single food challenge using wheat; not a hydrolysed, rendered or extracted substitute. Dose: 40 g/day of the single food item (Daily oral food challenge mixed with the dog's elimination diet and water). Duration: One week per challenge; randomized order of eight food items and two placebo challenges. Comparator: Placebo challenges with elimination diet and water.
Measured finding: This food was investigated as one challenge item, but its individual reaction rate is not isolated in the abstract. Across food challenges, 91.7% of dogs reacted to one to six items; half also reacted during one placebo challenge.
Limitations: 12 selected dogs; item-specific results not available in the reviewed abstract. Placebo reactions reduce certainty in interpreting food-challenge responses. Exact food preparation must be retained.
Evidence.pet interpretation
Apply this result only within its species, preparation and study conditions. An ingredient listing alone does not establish that a commercial product reproduces the tested intervention.
Funding and conflicts
Not established from the reviewed abstract.
Source
Sofou EI et al. Randomised, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Challenge Test With Single Food Items in Dogs With Atopic Dermatitis and Adverse Food Reactions. Veterinary Dermatology. 2026. DOI: 10.1111/vde.70041.
Primary source record (PMID 41346217) · Publisher DOI
Reviewed 2 October 2026 · Next review 2 January 2027.