PET FOOD TEST

How To Read Your Pet's Intolerance Results

Grey: No significant intolerance was detected. These items are not expected to cause discomfort or an adverse reaction. There is no need for avoidance.

Green: (Level 1) Mild intolerance was detected. Any symptoms are unlikely to be noticeable. Feed these foods in rotation and moderation, and minimize environmental exposure if possible.

Yellow: (Level 2) Moderate intolerance was detected. Symptoms may be starting to affect day to day life, indicating a more noticeable symptom. It is recommended to avoid these food and environmental items during the elimination period.

Red: (Level 3) Severe intolerance was detected. Symptoms may have already physically manifested and require immediate attention. It is recommended to avoid these food and environmental items for 6-8 weeks.

Actions To Take: Intolerances

1. Food Elimination Phase (6-8 weeks): During this phase, you will remove all Level 3 and Level 2 reactive foods, as well as any known allergens, from your pet’s diet. Start with the grey-listed foods to construct their diet during this period. Do not feed anything that was not tested during this time.

2. Monitoring and Symptom Reduction: Watch for any improvements in your pet’s symptoms during the elimination phase. If symptoms lessen or subside, it suggests that the eliminated foods might have contributed to the issues.

3. Reintroduction Process: After the elimination phase, you can begin reintroducing foods one at a time. Add back a single reactive food item into your pet’s diet. Feed that item a few times during the week. This process is crucial in helping you finalize a diet plan that suits your pet’s long term needs.

4. Symptom Monitoring: Look for any adverse reaction or symptoms after reintroducing a food. If there are no intolerance symptoms, you can continue feeding the reactivated food in moderation. If your pet shows any sign of symptoms, discontinue the food, and move on to the next reintroduction.

5. Consider All Factors: Keep in mind that the source of symptoms might not be limited to just the protein source. Many processed foods could also contribute to reactions.

6. Variety and Moderation: Learn to develop a dietary pattern where you are providing foods in moderation and rotation. This approach can help reduce the risk of sensitivities developing.

If your pet has a known allergy, it may not show up on their results as reactive. 5Strands does not contradict the presence of a food allergy, it just means that they don't have an intolerance to that food. You can have an allergy to a food item, but not be intolerant to it. If the known allergen doesn't show up as reactive in the report, it doesn't mean they should consume that food item or be exposed to it.