Introduction
Dogs can suffer from allergies just like humans. In fact, allergy-related conditions are one of the most common health problems in dogs. Experts report that around 10% of the canine population has some type of allergy. Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to a substance that is harmless to most dogs. This substance is known as an allergen. When exposed to an allergen, the dog’s immune system sees it as a threat and releases antibodies to attack it. This releases histamine in the body, causing inflammation, itching, and other symptoms. The most common allergies in dogs are caused by environmental allergens like dust mites, pollen, and mold. Food allergies are also possible but less common. Allergies can cause minor irritation or major discomfort depending on the severity. Some dogs may only experience mild symptoms seasonally, while others deal with itchiness and infections year-round.
Common Allergens
There are a few types of common allergens that can trigger an allergic reaction in dogs.
One is flea saliva. When a flea bites a dog, it injects a small amount of saliva into the dog’s skin. Some dogs are allergic to proteins found in flea saliva. These dogs may react to just a few flea bites with red, irritated skin or hot spots.
Another common allergen is certain food proteins. Some dogs are allergic to specific ingredients like beef, dairy, wheat, or soy. Food allergies in dogs often manifest as itchy skin, ear infections, or skin conditions. An elimination diet trial is needed to diagnose food allergies.
Environmental allergens like dust mites can also cause an allergic response. Dust mites are tiny invisible insects that live in bedding, carpets, upholstery, and fabric. Dogs with dust mite allergies may constantly lick and scratch their paws or belly after contact with dust mite-infested areas.
Skin Allergy Signs
Some of the most common signs of allergies in dogs involve the skin. An allergic reaction can cause severe itchiness, irritation, and inflammation of a dog’s skin. Some signs to look out for include:
Itchy skin – Excessive scratching, licking, nibbling, and chewing at the skin are clear indicators your dog is dealing with itchiness and skin discomfort. The itching is often focused in areas like the paws, belly, folds of the skin, ears, armpits, and groin.
Hair loss – Constant scratching, licking, and irritation can cause hair loss and bald patches. Look for thinning hair, red or flaky skin, and bald spots as possible signs of an allergic reaction.
Red, inflamed skin – Allergies can cause the skin to become red, swollen, and warm to the touch. You may notice irritated skin, bumps, or hives. This inflammation is the body’s reaction to an allergen.
Hot spots – Hot spots are red, moist, irritated lesions that can suddenly appear on the skin. They are often created by persistent licking, chewing, and scratching. Hot spots indicate inflammation and require prompt treatment.
Ear Allergy Signs
If your dog has allergies, you may notice signs of irritation in their ears. Some common ear allergy symptoms include:
- Head shaking – Your dog may shake their head frequently as a way to relieve itchy or irritated ears.
- Scratching ears – Persistent scratching or rubbing of the ears is a telltale sign of allergy discomfort.
- Redness/inflammation in ears – You may see red, swollen, or inflamed tissue inside your dog’s ear canal. This inflammation is often caused by inhalant or food allergies.
- Discharge from ears – Excessive brown or black ear discharge can indicate an allergic response. This discharge may have a waxy, crusty texture.
If your dog is exhibiting any of these ear allergy symptoms, take them to the vet for an examination. The vet can check for infection and determine the best treatment options to relieve your dog’s itchy ears.
Gastrointestinal Signs
Dogs with food allergies often experience gastrointestinal issues. Some common symptoms include:
Vomiting – Repeated vomiting or regurgitation after eating may indicate your dog has a food allergy. Dogs may vomit undigested food or bile.
Diarrhea – Chronic, intermittent diarrhea that comes and goes can be a sign of food allergies in dogs. Stools may contain mucus or blood.
Gas – Excess gas and flatulence can indicate your dog is having a reaction to something in their diet. This may be accompanied by audible gurgling sounds from the stomach.
These gastrointestinal issues stem from an irritated digestive tract. As the dog’s immune system reacts to the allergen, it triggers inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to these symptoms. Some dogs may also experience a loss of appetite. If you notice any persistent digestive issues in your dog, it’s important to speak with your veterinarian.
Respiratory Allergy Signs
Some of the most common signs of allergies in dogs involve the respiratory system. Dogs with respiratory allergies may experience symptoms such as:
- Coughing – Allergies can cause coughing fits and throat irritation in dogs. Coughing may occur year-round or seasonally, depending on the allergen trigger.
- Sneezing – Frequent sneezing is a telltale sign of allergies in dogs. Sneezing helps expel mucus but can also be a symptom of nasal inflammation.
- Runny nose – A watery, drippy nose is common with allergies. The excess mucus drips from the nostrils as the dog’s body tries to expel allergens.
If your dog experiences respiratory symptoms like these, allergies may be the culprit. Consult your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment options.
Eye Allergy Signs
If your dog is suffering from eye allergies, you may notice some of the following symptoms:
Red, itchy eyes – Allergies can cause inflammation in your dog’s eyes, leading to redness, irritation, and intense itchiness. You may see your dog pawing at their eyes or rubbing their face along the ground in an attempt to relieve the itchiness.
Discharge from eyes – Allergic reactions can stimulate the production of discharge and mucus in your dog’s eyes. You may notice a yellow, green, or crusty discharge accumulating in the corners of their eyes or eyelids. This is a sign of allergic conjunctivitis.
If your dog is exhibiting eye allergy symptoms like redness, discharge, or excessive itching around their eyes, it’s important to have them checked out by a veterinarian. Left untreated, allergies affecting the eyes can lead to corneal ulcers or other secondary eye infections.
Behavioral Changes
Dogs with allergies often exhibit behavioral changes in response to their discomfort. Some common behavioral signs of allergies in dogs include:
Increased licking, biting, or chewing at the skin – Dogs will excessively lick, bite, and chew areas of irritated skin in an effort to relieve the itchiness. Pay attention to areas like the paws, belly, armpits, or groin area for this sign of allergies.
Restlessness – The constant itching and irritation of allergies can cause dogs to be abnormally restless. They may pace around or have difficulty settling down.
Agitation – Some dogs become increasingly agitated or short-tempered when suffering from allergies. The discomfort may cause them to be snippy or react strongly to being touched in irritated areas.
Diagnosis
If you suspect your dog has allergies, the next step is to take them to the veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment recommendations. The vet will perform a full physical exam, taking into account the dog’s medical history and your observations of their symptoms and behavior.
From there, the vet may recommend allergy testing to pinpoint the specific allergens triggering your dog’s symptoms. Common allergy tests include:
- Skin testing: Small amounts of potential allergens are injected under the dog’s skin to measure reactions.
- Blood tests: Blood is drawn and measured for IgE antibodies responding to specific allergens.
- Elimination diet trials: Your dog is fed a restricted diet to isolate problem ingredients.
These tests can identify environmental, food or flea allergies so appropriate treatment and management steps can be taken. Be prepared to provide your vet a full account of your dog’s diet and lifestyle to help inform the testing and diagnosis process.
Treating Dog Allergies
If your dog is diagnosed with allergies, there are several treatment options available to help relieve symptoms and improve your dog’s quality of life.
Avoidance of Allergens
The most effective treatment is to avoid exposure to whatever your dog is allergic to. For environmental allergens like pollen or dust mites, this may mean keeping your dog indoors during peak allergy seasons, installing air filters in your home, washing bedding frequently in hot water, and vacuuming and dusting regularly. For food allergies, switching to a hypoallergenic diet or novel protein diet that avoids ingredients your dog is sensitive to can provide relief.
Medications
Your vet may prescribe antihistamines, steroids, or other medications to reduce itching, inflammation, and other allergy symptoms. These drugs can provide quick relief but often have side effects with long-term use.
Immunotherapy
Allergy shots or “allergen-specific immunotherapy” can help desensitize your dog to whatever they’re allergic to. This involves injecting small amounts of the allergen to build tolerance over time. Immunotherapy requires persistence and takes many months to start working, but can significantly reduce allergy symptoms.
Diet Change
Switching to a hypoallergenic or hydrolyzed protein dog food made with ingredients your dog hasn’t been exposed to before can help resolve food allergies. Your vet may recommend an elimination diet trial to pinpoint problem ingredients. Home cooked or raw diets may also be an option, but consult your vet to ensure nutritional balance.