Our Final Verdict
We give EasyDNA Dog Allergy Test a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.
Ease of Use: 4.5/5
Scope: 4.9/5
Result Transparency: 5/5
Value: 4.8/5
Caring for a dog who suffers from allergies can be difficult, both physically and emotionally. This process is made infinitely harder when you don’t know what your dog is allergic to.
And that’s exactly where EasyDNA’s Dog Allergy Test comes in.
Unlike so many canine “allergy” tests out there, this option uses blood serum and IgE antibodies to test for 120 environmental and food allergies, not sensitivities or intolerances. This gives you the knowledge you need to make impactful changes to your dog’s life to help them overcome allergy symptoms like atopic dermatitis and chronic diarrhea so they can have more good days.
I had the opportunity to try this allergy test on my Dalmatian mix, Ragz, who nearly died of anaphylaxis from an unknown allergen when she was young. Find out if this comprehensive test was able to uncover Ragz’s mystery allergy, what it took to get results, and if it’s worth the investment in my full EasyDNA Dog Allergy Test product review, below.
Overview
| Product Type: | Allergy test |
| Best Suited For: | Dogs over one year of age |
| Price Range: | Moderately expensive |
| Contents: | Collection kit, paperwork, instructions for you and your vet, prepaid return envelope |
| Test Type: | Dry serum from blood draw |
| Pre-Test Requirements: | Eight-hour fast recommended; two weeks free from allergy medications |
| Test Administration: | Blood draw must be done by a licensed veterinarian |
| Timeline: | Typically receive results within four weeks of ordering the test |
Our Experience
When Ragz, my 14-year-old Dalmatian mix, came into my life as a foster pup over a decade ago, she was in poor shape. Not only was she dirty and covered in cuts and scrapes, but she had hives all over her body.
At the time, I didn’t think much of it. But the question of what caused those hives would come up again four years later when Ragz went into anaphylactic shock without warning.
My husband had just gotten home from work. When Ragz failed to run through the dog door to greet him, we instantly knew something was wrong. By the time we found her, she was lethargic and her gums were pale and tacky.
After we got her to the emergency vet, she broke out in full-body hives. It took three hours, but the vets were able to stabilize her and save her life. Since that day, we have been living in fear, not knowing what could have caused her allergic reaction.
Most owners of allergy-prone dogs don’t have to worry about anaphylaxis, but less-emergent allergy symptoms can be just as severe and difficult to live with. I have known dozens of dogs who have suffered from crippling dermatitis due to unknown allergies.
For Ragz and so many other dogs out there, EasyDNA’s Dog Allergy Test offers answers. This is exactly why I didn’t hesitate to get the test done despite the extra steps involved.
Unlike cheek swab allergy tests that rely on IgA and IgG antibodies and that can be done at home, this in-depth test uses the more reliable IgE antibody and requires a blood draw by a licensed veterinarian. This means that there are extra costs associated with this test. But it also means the results are more likely to reflect actual allergy issues that you can target to reduce your dog’s symptoms.
It took some back and forth to get the blood draw scheduled with my vet simply because they were not familiar with this product. In the end, though, it only cost me $20 for them to do the draw, complete the sample, and mail it back to the lab for me.
This cost can vary by vet and region, so I recommend calling around to get an idea of the price before purchasing the kit to make sure it’s a viable option for you.
Once the test was mailed in, it took about a week for the lab to receive it. From there, it took another eight days for them to process it and email my results.
I found the results to be very easy to interpret. At the top of the PDF, it gave a quick summary of the findings, including how many total allergen responses were recorded. It also broke down how many of these responses were Class I, Class II, and Class III.
After that, each allergen tested was listed along with the response result and the correlating Class reaction. The seven pages of results I received also included some very neat information on possible cross-reactions common to the allergens that showed reactivity.
Ragz reacted to five of the allergens that were tested—pork, wheat, oat, European dust mite, and alder/birch pollen. All of her reactions were low (Class I), which means they are less likely to cause a noticeable allergic reaction.
While this test did not uncover the culprit that caused her mystery anaphylactic shock episode, it did provide some valuable insight. For one, it highlighted potential allergies to three common foods in our pet pantry: pork, wheat, and oats. I will definitely avoid feeding these to Ragz in the future.
More importantly, I can see how this test would be incredibly valuable for a dog that suffers from ongoing food or environmental allergies.
After receiving Ragz’s results, I immediately sent my friend a link to the product. Her dog has been battling endless itchy and inflamed skin with no known cause. I’m certain a test like this one would help her and her poor dog finally find some answers and some relief.
One thing I did note about this test is that the marketing information says that it will test for 125 allergens. However, the results I received show that only 120 allergens were tested. EasyDNA does mention on their site that they are always adding new allergens to the panel, so it’s possible that future tests will feature more than 120 results.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 120 allergens tested
- IgE antibody test
- Results are easy to interpret
- Comprehensive and accurate
- Not an intolerance test
Cons
- Requires vet appointment
- Takes time to receive results
Key Features
Looks at IgE Antibodies
One of the key differences between this allergy test from EasyDNA and most others on the market is that it relies on IgE antibodies. This is opposed to IgA and IgG antibodies, which most other tests rely on.
IgE antibodies are present in the blood and are responsible for immediate allergic reactions, including hives, itchiness, swelling, and anaphylaxis. IgA and IgG, on the other hand, are responsible for delayed reactions and can cause inflammation, fatigue, and chronic stomach issues (source).
In other words, testing for IgE antibodies reveals true allergies, while testing for IgA or IgG antibodies only reveals intolerances and sensitivities. While it can be helpful to test for intolerances to understand the cause of chronic issues like digestive upset or inflammation, these types of tests do not reveal actual allergens.
Many tests that are marketed as “dog allergy tests” use a saliva sample. Because IgE is only present in small amounts in saliva, these tests rely primarily on IgA and IgG to determine reactivity. This means that these products actually detect sensitivities and intolerances, rather than true allergies.
The allergy test from EasyDNA, on the other hand, requires a blood test and looks for IgE reactivity to determine true allergens.
120 Allergens Tested
The Dog Allergy Test by EasyDNA looks at 120 allergens to provide a comprehensive picture of your dog’s allergies. The allergens tested for include common food and environmental triggers from multiple categories, including:
- Protein – beef, chicken, lamb, fish, etc.
- Fruits and vegetables
- Dairy and eggs
- Grains
- Animal – cat dander, feathers, etc
- Insects – bee venom, mites, fleas, etc.
- Mold
- Grass, weed, and tree pollen
When you receive your results, you’ll get information on which of these 120 allergens your dog reacted to, as well as how severe the reaction was.
Reactivity is rated on a scale from Class I to Class III, with III being the most severe response. While higher results are more likely to indicate a severe reaction, this isn’t always the case. What the rating really tells you is how reactive your dog’s antibodies are to that allergen.
It’s possible for your dog’s immune system to react strongly to a substance without producing any physical symptoms of an allergic reaction. Similarly, it’s possible that a minor response could produce physical allergic reactions.
The best approach to interpreting your dog’s results is to consider them along with their symptoms and adjust their diet and/or environment accordingly.
Requires a Veterinary Blood Draw
In order to get the dry serum sample necessary for EasyDNA to process your dog’s allergy test, you need to take them to your vet.
Most vets charge a fee to do a blood draw, so be sure to call your vet before ordering your kit to find out how much this service will cost.
When you first receive your DNA test in the mail, be sure to keep all the paperwork and instructions that come with it. Also, do not open the mylar envelope with the testing supplies. Instead, bring the envelope along with your completed paperwork, the instructions, and the return envelope to your vet’s office.
Your vet will draw the blood sample, process it to extract the serum, complete the collection, and then mail it back to the lab for you.
About EasyDNA
For over 15 years, EasyDNA has been providing accurate and reliable DNA and genetic testing. They offer numerous products for both humans and animals.
| Headquarters: | El Paso, Texas |
| Lab Locations: | 25 offices worldwide, including multiple locations in the US |
| Accreditations: | Fully accredited DNA laboratories |
| Shipping: | Free shipping on most orders |
| Refunds: | Full to partial refunds available before collected sample is shipped |
Is EasyDNA a Good Value?
To accurately compare the value of an EasyDNA Dog Allergy Test to competitors, you first need to understand that most dog “allergy” tests out there are actually sensitivity and intolerance tests based on saliva samples. EasyDNA also offers a sensitivity test, which is substantially less expensive than their allergy testing option.
When comparing the Dog Allergy Test to actual pet allergy testing from competitors, you’ll find that EasyDNA is very competitively priced. Given this and the quality and reliability of their tests, we believe it is a good value.
How We Tested
I enlisted the help of my dog, Ragz, to test this product. I evaluated it by considering the aspects the typical customer would desire in a dog allergy test.
I followed the instructions in the kit and took Ragz to the vet to get her blood drawn and had the vet complete and mail the sample as instructed. I then kept records of communications from EasyDNA to track the timeline between collection and results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who should use this product?
EasyDNA’s Dog Allergy Test is a great option for dogs whose allergy symptoms have not been relieved by changes in diet and environment. It is also a great option for dogs with a history of anaphylaxis and those who suffer from hives and other severe allergy symptoms without a known cause.
How long does it take for the test kit to arrive?
I received my kit in the mail about four days after I placed my order. It took one week for the sample to arrive at the lab after my vet mailed it, and another eight days for the lab to email me my results.
Does my dog need to fast before the sample is collected?
EasyDNA recommends your dog fasts for 8 hours before getting their blood drawn, but this is not mandatory for this test.
Should I stop my dog’s medications before testing?
Antihistamines, anti-inflammatories, and anti-itch medications can all affect the results of this test. EasyDNA recommends that you stop these meds one to two weeks before collecting the sample.
Conclusion
If your dog has been battling allergy symptoms like hives, itchy skin, or anaphylaxis, and you’re unsure of the cause, EasyDNA’s Dog Allergy Test is here to provide answers.
This comprehensive blood serum test looks at IgE reactivity to 120 different environmental and food compounds to determine your dog’s true allergens. The samples are processed at EasyDNA’s accredited DNA and genetic testing labs to ensure accurate and reliable results. Unlike most dog “allergy” tests out there that can only determine sensitivities and intolerances, EasyDNA provides a full picture of your dog’s true allergy profile to help you help them find relief.