“We finally had a clearer starting point after months of loose stool, food switching, and guessing…”
Most people don’t assume their dog’s diarrhea is coming from the food or treats they eat every day.
At first, it’s easy to dismiss. Maybe they got into something outside, someone slipped them a table scrap, or they just have a sensitive stomach.
That’s usually the simplest explanation, at least at first.
But when loose stool keeps coming back, feeding your dog can start to feel like an experiment you never meant to run.
You switch foods. You add pumpkin. You buy fiber supplements.
Before long, you’re spending an extra $1,000 a year on things that still aren’t getting at the real problem.
What pet parents need to know is that food intolerances are one of the most common causes of recurring diarrhea in dogs. So if your dog is still eating ingredients or treats their body struggles to process, pumpkin or fiber won’t remove the trigger because your dog is still eating the thing causing the problem.
"The most common cause of diarrhea includes eating bad food, food intolerance, or stress...”
“Everything to Know about Your Pet’s Digestion.” Banfield Pet Hospital, 2023.
You’re not alone in that.
Most people are left to figure out digestive issues through trial and error, which usually means more food changes, more second-guessing, and more cleanup than anyone wants.
That’s where the 5Strands Pet Food Intolerance Test comes in. This at-home hair test analyzes responses to more than 400 items commonly found in pet foods and treats.
What is it?
This Pet Food Intolerance Test helps give your pet a voice about which ingredients in their daily diet may be causing their symptoms.
Instead of feeling stuck trying to guess what food to remove, reduce, or rotate out, you send in a small hair sample.
The process is easy to do from home, which is part of what makes it appealing.
And when the kit arrives, it comes with everything you need to get started.
If this all sounds a little new, it’s worth noting that 5Strands says more than 450,000 customers have benefited from its testing since 2017.
How Does It Work?
Part of what makes the test appealing is how simple the process is from start to finish.
5Strands sends your pet’s test results by email, and they’re also accessible in the mobile app.
The results are easy to read. Instead of leaving you with one long list of ingredients, the report organizes them by level so you can see what to focus on first.
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Mild Intolerance Response
This item may still be tolerated in small amounts or on rotation, but regular or daily feeding could add stress over time. -
Moderate Intolerance Response
Reducing or removing it may help support digestion and improve balance, and it may be possible to reintroduce it later. -
High Intolerance Response
Avoid feeding this item for now to give your pet’s digestive system time to reset, reduce internal stress, and support recovery. Continued exposure may worsen symptoms or slow progress.
So if your dog has recurring diarrhea and you’re tired of wondering whether the issue is the protein, the additive, the filler, or even the treat you keep giving because it is “only one small bite,” this gives you a more structured place to begin.
Fiber supplements are just another new expense when the real trigger is still in your dog’s food.
That’s what makes this test different. Instead of only helping you react to the symptom, it helps you look more closely at what could be causing it in the first place.
Who Is It Good For?
The 5Strands Pet Food Intolerance Test is a strong fit for:
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People whose dog has recurring diarrhea or chronic loose stool
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People who are tired of guessing which foods or treats are causing digestive issues
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Dogs who have already tried pumpkin, fiber supplements, probiotics, or multiple food changes without lasting improvement
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Pet parents who want a non-invasive, at-home starting point
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People trying to build a more targeted elimination plan instead of relying on trial and error
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Dogs with other unexplained issues alongside diarrhea, like scratching, paw licking, or head shaking
I didn’t expect a pet intolerance test to make that much of a difference, but now I see why so many pet parents say it gave them a clearer place to start.
Not only does it help uncover which foods or treats could be behind recurring issues like diarrhea, but it also takes some of the guesswork out of food changes, elimination plans, and everyday feeding decisions.
And since it helps you focus on what may actually be triggering the problem, you can stop spending money on random fixes that don’t address the underlying issue.
Thousands of people have already used 5Strands, and it’s not hard to understand the appeal.
What Else We Love About the 5Strands Pet Food Intolerance Test
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It’s Backed By A 3rd-Party Clinical Study By Citruslabs – During my research, 5Strands was the only pet food intolerance test I found backed by a 3rd party study.
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It Uses Double-Pass Validation For Accurate Results – The testing process includes double-pass validation, which helps strengthen result accuracy and consistency.
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It Offers Customer Service Phone Support – That stood out during my research, too, because none of the other options I looked at offered live phone support.
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It Has A Mobile App For Easy Access To Results Anywhere – Your results are accessible in the mobile app, so you can review them wherever you are without having to dig through old emails.
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It’s Non-Invasive – No blood draw. No stool sample. No stressful appointment. Just a small hair sample collected from home.
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It Gives You Results Fast – Once the sample reaches the lab, 5Strands says results are delivered in 4 business days.
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It’s Easy To Use At Home – Register the kit, collect the hair, send it back, and review the results through email and the app.
That’s probably why this test is getting attention.
Not because pet parents want one more thing to buy.
But because they want answers. Or at least something closer to answers than another blind food change or another scoop of pumpkin that only helps for a day or two.
Validation From A Professional
“After using 5Strands, we uncovered a surprising range of intolerances in our dog. Not just the usual suspects, but things we never would’ve guessed. From ingredients in his daily food and treats to environmental chemicals, molds, and even plants, the results gave us a full picture of what might be affecting him. Now we’re one step closer to finding the root cause of his nonstop scratching and finally giving him the relief he deserves.”
Some of my favorite reviews I found were from pet parents who shared incredible before and after photos.
I’m usually skeptical of studies like this, especially when they come from a brand.
But this one stood out because Citruslabs is a contract research organization that runs studies for consumer health brands, including pet health, so it felt more credible than a brand simply quoting its own customer reviews.
These charts give a quick look at the results.
Real Reviews From Real Customers
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Natalie M. (Verified Customer)
“We had already tried pumpkin, probiotics, and two different fiber supplements before this. Nothing actually fixed the issue because the food itself was the problem. This finally helped us narrow it down.”
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Sydney K. (Verified Customer)
“The best part was getting past all the guessing. We kept trying to manage the diarrhea, but once we used this test, we started focusing on which foods and treats were causing it in the first place.”
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Jenna W. (Verified Customer)
“I was tired of buying one digestive support product after another and still dealing with loose stool. This gave us a much clearer picture of what in his diet was causing issues, and that changed everything.”
If your dog’s diarrhea keeps coming back, and pumpkin, fiber supplements, and endless food switching still are not solving the real problem, this is a smarter place to start.
We've put together 3 exclusive deals for readers who've made it this far. You can get 10% off our flagship Pet Food Intolerance Test. For those that want to test their pet for more than just a food intolerance, we've created bundle packs that include our digital upgrades at a crazy discount. You simply send your pet's fur in through the Food Intolerance Test kit, and we'll automatically test for the additional sensitivities and imbalances listed below. These deals are available through this page only, so don't wait!
