Built by a Pet OwnerWho Gets It
Pet Allergy Scanner was born from 7 years of reading ingredient labels, switching foods, and learning the hard way what works.
Hi, I'm Gary
Up front: I'm not a vet, a veterinary nutritionist, or any kind of credentialed expert. I'm a UK pet owner who built Pet Allergy Scanner after 7+ years navigating my Cockapoo's chronic food allergy.
The short version of the story: after years of itching, recurring ear infections, hot spots, vet visits, and trial-and-error with foods, my Cockapoo's safe diet has narrowed to salmon, venison, and vegetables. That's it. Anything with chicken, beef, dairy, lamb, or any of the usual proteins is off the table — even trace amounts in flavoured medications, treats, and “limited ingredient” foods that turned out to contain hidden chicken fat.
I built the Pet Allergy Scanner tool to solve my own problem: a fast way to check any pet food for common allergens without squinting at fine-print ingredient lists in a pet shop. The articles followed because the guides I wished I'd had when this all began didn't exist — most of what comes up on Google is marketing copy from pet food brands, not the practical owner-to-owner detail you actually need.
Everything on this site is owner experience plus research. I cite primary veterinary sources — Mueller et al. (BMC Vet Res 2016), the American College of Veterinary Dermatology, the Merck Vet Manual, AAFCO, FDA — throughout, and the diagnostic and treatment decisions are explicitly deferred to your vet on every page. My goal is to save you the years and the frustration I went through, not to play vet.
What You'll Find Here
Free Scanner Tool
Snap a photo of any pet food ingredient list and instantly see which allergens it contains. No sign-up required.
Research-Backed Articles
Breed-specific guides, allergen deep-dives, product comparisons, and symptom explainers — all citing veterinary research.
Honest Reviews
Product recommendations based on ingredients and clinical data, not sponsorships. We are transparent about affiliate links.
Editorial standards
Primary sources cited on every article — AKC, Merck Veterinary Manual, Tufts Clinical Nutrition Service, American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD), AAFCO, and peer-reviewed research from BMC Veterinary Research and similar journals. The Sources & Further Reading section at the foot of each article names the specific references used.
Every article follows the same four standards:
Sources at the foot of every article
Every guide ends with a Sources & Further Reading list naming the specific AKC, Merck, Tufts, ACVD, and peer-reviewed research we drew on. If you disagree with a claim, you can trace it back.
No veterinary review — yet
I am not a veterinarian, and no article on this site has been reviewed by a named vet. Everything you read here is owner-to-owner research with primary veterinary sources cited inline — not clinical guidance. The diagnostic and treatment decisions on every page are explicitly deferred to your vet.
Transparent about affiliates
When I recommend a product, I say why. Every affiliate link is disclosed at the top of the article that contains it. If I earn a commission on a purchase you make, that is stated up front.
Updated when the research moves
Pet nutrition research evolves. I review and update articles to reflect current findings, and each article shows a “Last Updated” date at the top.
Important: This Is Not Veterinary Advice
I'm a pet owner, not a veterinarian. The content on Pet Allergy Scanner is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace professional veterinary diagnosis or treatment.
Always consult your vet before making dietary changes, starting an elimination diet, or treating any health condition. Every pet is different, and what worked for my Cockapoo may not be right for yours.