Pet Food Allergen
Chicken Allergy in Dogs and Cats
Chicken is the most commonly reported food allergen in both dogs and cats. Despite its ubiquity in mainstream pet foods, chicken allergy often develops in pets fed chicken-based diets for years, then appears seemingly overnight as the immune system escalates its response to a long-familiar protein.
Prevalence
38-40% of confirmed food-allergic dogs react to chicken (Mueller et al., BMC Vet Research 2016 meta-analysis of 297 dogs). In cats, chicken ties with fish as the most-reported allergen.
Label names that contain chicken
Any of these on an ingredient list means chicken is present.
Ingredient pages
Cross-reactivity
A pet allergic to chicken may also react to: turkey, duck, eggs. Cross-reactivity is not guaranteed, but it is common enough that it should inform an elimination diet.
Symptoms that point to chicken
In-depth guides
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Factual reference based on AAFCO ingredient definitions, FDA guidance, and peer-reviewed veterinary literature cited above. Not medical or veterinary advice. Consult a veterinarian for decisions about your pet's diet.