What are the common dog allergies?
Dogs can suffer from a variety of allergies that cause itchy skin, rashes, and other irritating symptoms. Some of the most common dog allergies include:
Food allergies
Dogs can develop allergies to certain ingredients in their food, including beef, dairy, wheat, and soy. Food allergies in dogs often result in itchy skin, ear infections, and gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea.
Flea allergy dermatitis
Dogs with flea allergies are not allergic to flea bites, but rather overreact to the flea’s saliva. Just one or two flea bites can cause red, inflamed skin, hair loss, hot spots, and excessive scratching and licking.
Contact allergies
Contact allergies in dogs cause skin irritation where the allergen touches the body. Grass, plastic, wool, and certain chemicals are common contact allergens for dogs. These allergies lead to localized itching, redness, and inflammation.
Inhalant allergies
Inhalant or environmental allergies result when dogs inhale allergens like pollen, dust mites, and mold spores. Common symptoms include nasal discharge, sneezing, watery eyes, itching, and skin irritation, especially on the face, feet, and ears.
Symptoms of Dog Allergies
Allergies can cause a variety of symptoms in dogs. Some of the most common allergy symptoms in dogs include:
- Itchy skin – Dogs with allergies often excessively scratch, lick, bite, or chew at their skin, leading to redness, irritation, hair loss, and skin infections.
- Ear infections – Allergic irritation in the ears can cause infected and inflamed ears. Dogs may shake their head or scratch at their ears.
- Hair loss – Patchy hair loss or thinning coat is common in dogs with allergic skin disease. Hair loss often occurs due to the dog’s excessive scratching, licking, chewing, or rubbing.
- Hot spots on skin – Areas of red, moist, irritated skin called hot spots can develop due to a dog’s incessant scratching and licking at irritated skin. Hot spots are prone to becoming infected.
- Excessive licking of paws/skin – Dogs lick, chew, or bite at areas of itchy skin in an attempt to relieve the irritation. Licking can lead to hair loss, open sores, and infection.
- Rubbing face – Some dogs rub their face and muzzle on the ground or furniture to relieve facial itching caused by allergies.
If your dog is displaying any of these allergy symptoms, it’s important to consult your veterinarian to properly diagnose and treat the underlying cause.
Diagnosing Dog Allergies
Determining if your dog has allergies can involve several steps. Your veterinarian will want to thoroughly understand your dog’s medical history and any symptoms you have noticed. Beyond a detailed medical history, diagnosing dog allergies often includes:
Review of Medical History – Your vet will ask questions about when symptoms started, how long they have occurred, time of year, diet, response to any medications tried, and any potential exposure to allergens. This helps identify patterns and possible causes.
Physical Exam – A comprehensive physical exam allows the vet to check for clinical signs associated with allergies, such as skin irritation, ear infections, hair loss, hot spots, etc. Your vet will look for clues to help determine the allergy source.
Blood Tests – Your vet may recommend blood tests to check for elevated levels of allergy antibodies. Results can indicate environmental, food or flea allergies. This helps narrow down causes.
Intradermal Allergy Testing – This skin testing exposes your dog to suspected allergens in a controlled way. Allergens are injected under the skin and reactions are measured to identify specific allergies.
Elimination Diet Trial – Your vet may put your dog on a restricted hypoallergenic diet for several weeks to rule out food allergies. If symptoms improve, foods are reintroduced one at a time to identify problem ingredients.
Diagnostic testing for allergies can take some time, but is important for developing an effective treatment plan for your dog’s comfort and health.
Treatment options for dog allergies
Once allergies are diagnosed, there are several treatment options available. The most common treatments prescribed by vets include:
Antihistamines
Antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can help provide relief from itchiness and inflammation caused by allergies. They block the effects of histamine, which the body releases in response to allergens.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids like prednisone are very effective at reducing allergy symptoms by suppressing the immune system’s response. However, long-term use can have significant side effects.
Immunotherapy
Allergy shots contain small amounts of the antigens your dog is allergic to. They help desensitize the immune system over time. This can provide long-lasting relief with minimal side effects.
Antibiotics/Antifungals
If secondary skin infections arise from your dog’s allergies, vets may prescribe antibiotics or antifungals. These treat the underlying infection while other medications address the allergies.
Medicated Shampoos
Shampoos containing ingredients like oatmeal, chlorhexidine, and antiseptics can help relieve itchy skin, manage infections, and keep the coat and skin healthy.
Diet Change
Your vet may recommend switching to a hypoallergenic dog food. These diets contain proteins and carbs your dog may not have eaten before, avoiding potential allergens.
Tips for Managing Environmental Allergies
There are several things you can do around the home to help reduce your dog’s exposure to environmental allergens:
Use air filters/purifiers – Investing in a quality HEPA air filter or purifier can go a long way in trapping dust, dander, and other irritants in the air. Place them in rooms where your dog spends the most time.
Wash bedding regularly – You should wash your dog’s bedding at least once a week in hot water to kill dust mites. Consider using gentle, hypoallergenic detergents and avoid fabric softeners.
Bathe regularly – Bathing your dog at least once a week can wash away allergens from their coat and skin. Use a gentle oatmeal or hydrating shampoo made for dogs with sensitive skin.
Wipe paws after going outside – Pollen and other outdoor allergens can stick to your dog’s paws. Wipe them down with a damp cloth after walks to prevent spreading allergens indoors.
Avoid irritants – Steer clear of known irritants like cigarette smoke, scented candles, chemical cleaners, perfumes, etc. Stick to natural cleaning products when possible.
Making some simple changes around the home can really improve your dog’s comfort if they suffer from environmental allergies. Work closely with your vet to identify problematic allergens and reduce exposure.
Home Remedies for Dog Allergies
In addition to medications prescribed by your veterinarian, there are some natural home remedies that can provide relief for a dog with allergies. These should only be used as complementary treatments and not replacements for veterinarian-prescribed medications. Some popular home remedies include:
Oatmeal Baths
An oatmeal bath can help soothe dry, itchy skin that is commonly caused by allergies. Grind plain oatmeal into a fine powder and add to warm bath water. Bathe your dog for 5-10 minutes to allow the oatmeal to absorb into the skin. Oatmeal contains properties that relieve irritation and inflammation.
Aloe Vera
The cooling gel from an aloe vera plant can provide soothing relief when applied to areas of irritated skin. Snip off an aloe vera leaf and squeeze out the naturally moisturizing gel. Gently rub it into your dog’s inflamed skin.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Adding apple cider vinegar to your dog’s food or water can help balance pH levels and boost the immune system to fight allergies. Add 1 teaspoon per 30 pounds of body weight to your dog’s food or water bowl. Apple cider vinegar contains enzymes and probiotics that support gut and skin health.
Coconut Oil
Feeding coconut oil can improve your dog’s skin and coat health. It contains lauric acid which has anti-inflammatory effects. Add 1⁄4 tsp per 10 lbs of body weight daily. You can also apply virgin coconut oil topically to soothe irritated skin areas.
Herbal Remedies
Some herbal supplements like licorice root, nettle leaf, and chamomile can reduce inflammation and histamine reactions. Consult your vet before using. Give doses based on your dog’s size and brew teas with filtered water.
Importance of Veterinary Care
When a dog is showing signs of allergies, it’s crucial to take them to the vet for proper diagnosis and treatment. Determining the exact allergen causing your dog’s reaction is challenging to do at home. Your vet will take a full history and may recommend diagnostic tests like intradermal skin testing or blood tests to pinpoint the allergen. Once identified, they can advise you on the best treatment options for your dog’s specific situation.
Your vet is also best equipped to prescribe medications or therapies to relieve your dog’s allergy symptoms. Antihistamines, corticosteroids, immunotherapy vaccines, or allergen-specific diets may be recommended. Your vet will weigh the benefits and potential side effects of each option for your individual dog. They’ll also show you proper dosing and administration techniques.
It’s important to monitor your dog closely under your vet’s supervision when starting a new allergy treatment. Adverse reactions can occur and may need to be addressed by adjusting the dosage or switching to an alternative. Your vet can help optimize your dog’s comfort and quality of life as the treatment takes effect.
For ongoing allergy management, regular check-ups are key. Your vet can assess your dog’s progress at follow-up appointments and provide guidance on any changes needed to their care plan. Allergy symptoms often wax and wane over a lifetime, so having an established relationship with your vet ensures your dog receives continuous, personalized care as their needs evolve.
Don’t try to diagnose and treat dog allergies without input from your veterinarian. They have the expertise to properly identify the allergen, prescribe appropriate therapies, monitor for adverse effects, and manage your dog’s allergies long-term for the best possible outcome.
Dietary considerations for dogs with allergies
Diet can play an important role in managing allergies in dogs. There are several specialized diet options that may help reduce allergy symptoms:
Novel protein diet trial
This involves feeding your dog a protein source they have never eaten before, such as venison, kangaroo, or duck. The goal is to remove the allergens from their existing diet and see if symptoms improve. This approach helps identify food allergies.
Hydrolyzed protein diet
Hydrolyzed protein diets use proteins that have been broken down into smaller fragments so they are less likely to trigger an immune response. They are designed to be highly digestible while limiting allergenicity.
Limited ingredient diet
These diets contain a limited number of ingredients to minimize exposure to potential allergens. They typically have one protein source and carbohydrate source. Limited ingredient diets can help identify problem ingredients.
Veterinary prescription diet
Prescription hypoallergenic diets are formulated to reduce adverse food reactions. They often have hydrolyzed proteins and utilize novel carbohydrate sources. These diets require a prescription from your veterinarian.
Consult with your vet to determine which specialized diet may be appropriate. They can help design an elimination trial to identify problematic ingredients. Dietary management is an important component of an allergy treatment plan.
Preventing Allergies in Dogs
While there is no foolproof way to completely prevent allergies in dogs, there are steps you can take to reduce the chances your dog will develop allergies or minimize allergy symptoms if they do occur. Some tips for allergy prevention include:
Routine grooming and bathing – Regularly brushing and bathing your dog can help minimize contact with potential allergens. Use a mild hypoallergenic shampoo and rinse thoroughly. Bathing 1-2 times per month is usually sufficient.
Clean living environment – Keep your home clean and free of dust, mold, and other irritants. Use HEPA air filters and vacuum regularly with a HEPA filter. Wash bedding frequently in hot water to kill dust mites.
Avoid known triggers – If you know your dog is allergic to certain foods, grasses, pollens etc., take steps to limit their exposure. Keep them indoors when pollen counts are high or avoid areas with irritating plants/grasses.
Diet rich in omega-3s – Feeding your dog a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation and allergy symptoms. Look for dog food containing fish, fish oil, flaxseed or other sources of omega-3s.
Living with a Dog that has Allergies
Having a dog with allergies can be challenging, but with patience, compassion, and proactive care you can help your pup live a happy life.
It’s important to have realistic expectations and understand that managing allergies is an ongoing process. Be patient with your dog as you work together to determine triggers and find an effective treatment regimen. Show your dog love and compassion, especially on bad days when their symptoms flare up.
Stick to any prescribed treatment plans, which may include medications, baths, dietary changes, and environmental control. Pay attention to your dog’s symptoms and note any patterns or changes. Track these details to share with your veterinarian.
Learn what specific allergens affect your particular dog. Keep an allergy journal noting potential triggers like food ingredients, grasses, pollens, dust, etc. Take steps to limit your dog’s exposure to problem substances. This may mean making changes around your home and yard.
Work closely with your veterinarian, providing updates and asking questions. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment plan requires an ongoing dialogue and partnership with your vet. They can recommend medications, tests, dog foods, supplements and other therapies that provide relief.
Having patience, showing compassion, monitoring your dog’s unique symptoms, and collaborating with your veterinarian can help make life with a dog who has allergies manageable for both you and your pup.