Date: 03/02/2026

Skin health is one of the main indicators of well-being in dogs and is directly related to nutrition. Conditions such as pruritus, dermatitis, recurrent inflammation, and coat alterations are frequently associated with cutaneous food hypersensitivity—an increasing challenge in veterinary clinical practice and in the development of functional pet foods.

Topics covered in this article:

Food hypersensitivity and skin health: the role of nutrition

Cutaneous food hypersensitivity in dogs is characterized by an exacerbated immune response to intact dietary proteins. This condition may result in:

● Persistent pruritus;
● Erythema and dermatological lesions;
● Compromise of the skin barrier;
● Chronic inflammation and alterations in the skin microbiota.

Studies indicate that nutritional management is one of the most effective strategies for controlling these conditions, particularly through the use of hypoallergenic diets based on hydrolyzed proteins (BASTOS; FIGUEIREDO, 2022).

Scientific evidence: a prospective clinical study in dogs

A prospective clinical study conducted by UNESP evaluated dogs diagnosed with food hypersensitivity presenting cutaneous manifestations. To ensure accurate interpretation of the results, exclusion criteria were adopted, such as the presence of concomitant diseases capable of causing skin lesions—such as environmentally induced atopic dermatitis—thus ensuring that clinical signs were predominantly related to food allergy.

The study protocol included:

● Detailed nutritional anamnesis
● Complete physical examination and dermatological assessment;
● Application of the CADLI, CADESI-4, and VAS scales to quantify lesions and pruritus.

The nutritional anamnesis involved collecting information on the animals’ dietary history, possible allergen exposure, and clinical progression. CADLI (Canine Atopic Dermatitis Lesion Index) and CADESI-4 (Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index – version 4) are clinical tools used to assess, respectively, the presence, extent, and severity of skin lesions, while the VAS (Visual Analog Scale) allows subjective measurement of pruritus intensity based on owners’ perception.

Initially, the animals underwent a clinical stabilization phase and were subsequently subjected to a challenge phase with a conventional diet. After this stage, the dogs were fed a hypoallergenic diet based on hydrolyzed chicken protein for a period of 60 days, with biweekly monitoring of clinical parameters, dermatological indices, and inflammatory biomarkers.

Relevant Clinical Results

The results demonstrated that:

● 100% of the dogs that completed the protocol showed a positive response to the hypoallergenic diet;
● There was a significant reduction in pruritus and skin lesions;
● A progressive and consistent improvement in dermatological indices (CADLI and CADESI-4) was observed;
● Nutritional intervention proved effective when correctly applied and in appropriately selected animals.

These findings reinforce the role of hydrolyzed protein as a central tool in the nutritional management of food allergies with cutaneous manifestations, especially when there is strict control of concomitant conditions that may interfere with clinical response.

BioActio in the Development of Pet Foods

Hydrolyzed BioActio protein is obtained through a controlled enzymatic hydrolysis process that promotes the breakdown of the original protein’s three-dimensional structure and reduces molecular size, resulting in low–molecular-weight peptides. This structural modification decreases the likelihood of immune system recognition, thereby reducing allergenic potential.

In addition to its hypoallergenic effect, BioActio offers additional functional benefits:

1. Reduction of Allergenic Potential

● Smaller peptides reduce the likelihood of immune response activation;
● Ideal for dogs with a history of food and dermatological allergies.

2. Anti-inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Action

Bioactive peptides present in hydrolyzed protein may:

● Modulate inflammatory mediators;
● Contribute to the balance of local cutaneous immunity;
● Reduce chronic inflammation associated with allergic dermatitis.

3. Skin Barrier Repair

The integrity of the skin barrier is essential to prevent the entry of allergens and microorganisms. Nutrition with hydrolyzed proteins contributes to:

● Adequate synthesis of structural skin proteins;
● Improved cellular cohesion;
● Reduced transepidermal water loss.

4. Improvement in Skin and Coat Quality

Dogs fed diets based on hydrolyzed protein show:

● More intact and resilient skin;
● Shinier and more uniform coats;
● Lower recurrence of dermatological lesions.

BioActio in hypoallergenic diets

BioActio combines immunological safety, nutritional functionality, and scientific support, establishing itself as a strategic ingredient in the development of hypoallergenic diets and formulations designed for sensitive dogs.

Its performance was evaluated in a prospective clinical study conducted by UNESP, in which dogs diagnosed with cutaneous food hypersensitivity—carefully selected to exclude concomitant diseases—showed a positive clinical response to the intake of a diet containing hydrolyzed protein. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in pruritus and skin lesions, as well as progressive improvement in dermatological indices (CADLI and CADESI-4) in all animals that completed the protocol.

Based on these findings, BioActio is positioned as an ingredient suitable for:

● Hypoallergenic pet foods;
● Diets intended for dogs with food sensitivities;
● Premium and super premium formulations;
● Products focused on functional nutrition and skin health support.

By incorporating BioActio, manufacturers add technical and scientific value to their formulations, meeting the expectations of veterinarians, pet owners, and consumers seeking evidence-based nutritional solutions for pet care and well-being.

Conclusion

Available scientific evidence demonstrates that hydrolyzed protein and bioactive peptides are effective solutions for the nutritional management of food allergies and cutaneous inflammation in dogs.

In this context, BioActio stands out as a strategic functional ingredient capable of promoting skin health, strengthening the skin barrier, and supporting local immunity—aligning innovation, science, and nutritional performance for the premium pet segment.