Dog Allergies Guide

An introduction to dog allergies

There are two different types of allergies that a pet can suffer from food allergies and environmental allergies. Understanding common pet allergies can be difficult, so it is important to consult a veterinarian for experienced advice. 

They will help you to understand why not to leave your dog’s allergies undiagnosed, how to spot a dog's allergic reaction and how to best treat it. 

Treating food allergies in dogs is different to environmental dog allergies and it will take time and patience. There can be similar symptoms that your dog may have, but often food allergies present predominantly with gastrointestinal issues whilst environmental issues affect the skin, eyes and respiratory system.

Common causes of dog allergies

Common dog allergies can be caused by environmental changes or by food, just like with humans. Allergies are simply a reaction to foreign substances in an immune system, however, they can be life-threatening. Let’s take a look at some of the common causes of dog allergies.

Airborne Allergies (Atopy or Canine Atopic Dermatitis)

Possible causes of your furbaby sneezing a lot might be due to dog seasonal allergies. Just as we can suffer from hay fever when the pollen count is high, your furbaby can too.

Airborne allergies are usually seasonal but can be year-round with the onset of reactions generally being seen between 6 months to 3 years of age. 

Several breeds are predisposed to developing allergies, including Dalmatians, Golden Retrievers, Terriers and Shih Tzus. 

Food allergies

Contrary to popular belief, food allergies in dogs aren’t all that common. Your dog may present with an intolerance rather than an allergy if they have gastrointestinal upset or presents with signs of itching after eating a certain ingredient.

The foods dogs are most likely to be allergic to include beef, chicken, eggs, corn, soy, wheat and milk. Trial and elimination diets are more reliable than blood and skin tests for diagnosis.

Skin allergies

There are some common causes and solutions of why your dog is itchy which can be put down to skin allergies as well. Fleas or flea bite allergies are one of the more common causes, with symptoms ranging from mild itching to severe reactions. 

Dust and mould can also cause issues.

Common symptoms of dog allergies

Dog allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. There are tips to identify seasonal pet allergy symptoms which often involve monitoring, eliminating and consulting a professional for support and advice. 

You can try to monitor seasonal changes for signs your dog has pollen allergies or attempt an elimination diet to see whether your furbaby improves after not eating a certain ingredient. 

It is important to always consult your veterinarian to establish the best method of care for your furbaby. Potential allergic reactions are one of the most common reasons for a trip to the emergency vet. 

Itching is one of the more common symptoms of dog allergies, where welts and scabs or inflamed or flaking skin can be seen. 

However, dog allergy symptoms such as asthma or wheezing, inflammation of the nose and sneezing and ear infections are also good indicators of an allergic reaction. 

Acute allergic reactions may result in your dog going into anaphylactic shock, which can be caused by a bee or wasp sting. 

These often appear within minutes of the event occurring with symptoms including drooling, vomiting, seizures, difficulty breathing and even loss of consciousness. You must get your dog to a vet as soon as possible if you suspect this allergic reaction.

Dog allergy treatment

Depending on the symptoms that your furbaby is presenting with, you and your veterinarian can choose the correct dog allergy treatment for them. It can take time to determine what the cause of a reaction is, but with a coherent plan, treatment can provide both immediate relief and a long-term maintenance solution. 

First and foremost, by removing the allergen as best you can from your dog’s environment, you are going to provide relief from the symptoms. That means, you identify and eliminate a food allergen if you suspect this, or you treat swiftly for fleas.

Medicated shampoos and creams can provide relief from itching before your furbaby creates difficult-to-treat open wounds and sores. This kind of reactive treatment is more suitable for unavoidable allergens such as seasonal pollen.

There are some home remedies for dogs with skin allergies that can provide relief such as oatmeal baths, natural aloe vera or coconut oil massages.

When to consult a veterinary dermatologist about dog allergies?

Particularly regarding skin reactions, once you’ve ruled out the more obvious potential causes for your dog’s symptoms, such as fleas or an infection, it’s time to change tact. 

If your furbaby is in obvious and persistent discomfort as a result of its itching, you might wish to speak with a veterinary dermatologist to get a dog allergy test. 

Two types of tests can be taken to identify environmental allergies. These are an intradermal skin test and a serum allergy test. The intradermal test is considered the gold standard in testing; a similar test is performed on humans and within a few hours, a veterinarian dermatologist will have some answers for dog owners. 

The serum test is a blood test that has its uses, such as when a dog’s skin is unhealthy.

Take home message

Just like we can have allergic reactions to pollen, dust or certain types of food, our dogs can suffer from hay fever, flea or flea bite allergies or food allergies. A flea treatment guide for dog owners is helpful to ensure that fleas are kept at bay at all times to avoid any discomfort with unnecessary itching. 

Often, the reaction involves itching of the skin or paws, but can also include inflammation of the nose, ear infections or gastrointestinal upsets. 

Treatment begins with identifying and eliminating the source, which can be harder than it sounds, either through an elimination diet or with veterinarian dermatologist testing. Pet owners can also ease the symptoms either with medicated care or with some safe-to-use home remedies.