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Understanding Food Allergies Through Science
Adverse food reactions (AFR) are a common cause of canine allergies, with research showing 1-2% of all dogs affected by food allergies.1 It is crucial to identify allergies caused by AFR, because understanding the possible cause helps identify the best treatment options.
An elimination diet trial2 followed by a provocative dietary challenge remains the only accurate method of diagnosing AFRs.
How does a diet with hydrolyzed proteins help eliminate food-related causes of skin irritation? AFRs are immune reactions that occur at the cellular level due to crosslinking of proteins with mast cells.
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HP and Ultamino Diets
Veterinary-exclusive range for pets with food sensitivities who need a short-term elimination diet or long-term nutrition. Features the Skin Barrier Complex, a combination of specific nutrients to support healthy skin in pets with skin sensitivity and irritation.
The Royal Canin Advantage
Behind the Nutrition
Managing food allergies
Clinically proven results for over 15 years.3
Quality control and food safety systems that are state-of-the-art. We work diligently to ensure that our dermatology diets do not contain any additional protein sources that could impact a food-allergic patient.
Developed with dermatology specialists to support the management of pets with food-related allergies.
High standard for palatability among our diets.
Our Skin Barrier Complex, which includes optimal amounts of B vitamins and amino acids, helps support a dog’s skin barrier.
Hydrolyzed soy protein, composed of low molecular weight peptides, is highly digestible and supports gastrointestinal and dermatological health.
EPA and DHA help promote healthy skin and coat.
Microbiome support with mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) to support healthy digestion.Â
Early management is key, following assessment and diet trial.
38% of food allergy cases are identified before one year of age and 78% of those cases are diagnosed between 6 and 12 months of age.4Â
AFR is a lifelong condition. Once the allergy is identified, switching to a hydrolyzed diet can help reduce or manage flare-ups due to food related allergens.
Palatability helps adherence because it is important to remove table scraps and non-hydrolyzed treats from the pet’s diet.
Hydrolyzed Protein Multi-Function Diets
For patients with multiple health conditions, you shouldn’t have to choose which condition to support through tailored nutrition. Royal Canin offers a wide array of multi-function diets to meet their needs.
Selected Proteins
Like our hydrolyzed protein diets, our Selected Protein diets contain the Skin Barrier Complex. The proteins are "novel" rather than hydrolyzed. Pets are not often exposed to these uncommon proteins, and thus they are less likely to trigger a food reaction.
Real patients' real results:
DeBro
“My rescue had mange and allergies to an unknown protein source. Treatment included steroids, medication, and strict adherence to Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein HP. Two years later, he’s happy, healthy, and still eating only Royal Canin HP. ”
-Anonymous Online Review
Teddy
“We started Teddy on the HP a couple weeks after his surgery as our first dry food for the high digestibility. Since putting him on the food, he has grown, gained energy, and gained weight… He looks so much better, and he loves the food—absolutely inhales it.”
-Anonymous Online Review
Spotlight on Our Food Sensitivity Diets
Hydrolyzed Protein Canned Dog Food
- Composed of low molecular weight peptides that help reduce the risk of triggering an immune reaction.
- Includes B vitamins and amino acids to support your dog's skin barrier.
- Helps support healthy digestion and is ideal for dogs prone to stomach upsets.
- The soft loaf is rich in flavor and appeals to dogs with picky appetites.
Hydrolyzed Protein Moderate Calorie Dry Dog Food
- Helps reduce skin and GI reactions that may be a result of sensitivities to common proteins found in pet foods.
- Moderate calorie content to help low-activity dogs maintain a health weight.
- Reinforces the skin barrier with essential nutrients to support healthy skin in dogs with sensitivity and irritation.Â
Selected Protein PR (Pea + Rabbit) Canned Cat Food
- Specially formulated to help reduce skin reactions that may be caused by sensitivities to common proteins found in pet foods.
- Helps minimize the risk of reactions with proteins that are extensively broken down into a size that's virtually unrecognizable by the immune system.
- Reinforces the skin barrier with specific nutrients to support healthy skin in cats with skin sensitivity and irritation.
- Helps support healthy digestion with an exclusive blend of fibers.
Discover Free Resources for You and Your Clients
FOR VETERINARY CARE TEAM
Derm Canine Decision Tree
Derm Feline Decision Tree
Derm Detailer
FOR YOUR PATIENTS
HP Puppy Sell Sheet
Derm Product Guide
Share these resources to help pet parents better support their pets’ unique nutritional needs.
Derm Pet Owner Brochure
Ultamino 1-pager
- Olivry and Mueller BMC Veterinary Research (2017) 13:51  Proverbio et al.  JSAP 2010; 51: 370-374 – 12% CAFR Dogs  Estimates from: Hillier A, Griffin CE. The ACVD task force on canine atopic dermatitis (I): incidence and prevalence. Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. 2001;81(3–4):147–51.
- (Olivry et al. BMC Veterinary Research (2015) 11:225).
- VC. Biourge, J. Fontaine, MW. Vroom J Nutr. (2004) 134; 2062S-2064S)
- Jackson, H. A. (2023). Food allergy in dogs and cats; current perspectives on etiology, diagnosis, and management. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 261(S1), S23-S29. Retrieved Jan 3, 2025, from https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.22.12.0548Â