Dog Allergies - Everything You Need to Know

Your dog's health is as important as its physical appearance. In one of our earlier blog posts, we wrote about what to do if your dog is obese. Now we want to draw your attention to dog allergies. Keep reading and find out more about them.

Type Of Dog Allergies

First, let's see what type of allergies your dog can have. The two main types are skin and food allergies.

Skin Allergies

Skin allergies, called allergic dermatitis, are the most common type of allergic reactions in dogs. There are three main causes of skin allergies in dogs:

1. Flea allergy dermatitis
2. Food allergies
3. Environmental allergens

Flea allergy dermatitis is an allergic reaction to fleabites. Some dogs are allergic to flea saliva. This makes affected dogs extremely itchy, especially at the base of the tail, and their skin may become red, inflamed, and scabbed. You may also notice signs of fleas, such as flea dirt, or even see the fleas themselves.

Food allergies and sensitivities can cause itchy skin, as well. The most common places dogs with food allergies itch are their ears and their paws, and this may be accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms.

Environmental allergens, such as dust, pollen, and mold, can cause atopic allergic reactions or atopic dermatitis. In most cases, these allergies are seasonal, so you may only notice your dog itching during certain times of the year. As with food allergies, the most commonly affected areas are the paws and ears (but also include the wrists, ankles, muzzle, underarms, groin, around the eyes, and in between the toes).

All skin allergies pose the risk of secondary infection. As your dog scratches, bites, and licks at its skin, he risks opening up the skin to yeast and bacterial infections that may require treatment.

Food Allergies

True food allergies may not be as common as people think, according to AKC Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Jerry Klein. True food allergies result in an immune response, which can range in symptoms from skin conditions (hives, facial swelling, itchiness), gastrointestinal signs (vomiting and/or diarrhea), or a combination of both. In some rare cases, a severe reaction resulting in anaphylaxis can occur—similar to severe peanut allergies in humans.

Treatment for Dog Allergies

Before you use a try any product, method, or medication on your dog, please contact your veterinarian. 

The best way to treat an allergy is the avoidance of the cause and allergen. It may or may not always be possible. But, in terms of treatment, it depends on your dog's type of allergy. For example, the best way to treat flea allergy dermatitis is to kill the fleas, whereas the best way to treat a food allergy or food intolerance is a change in diet.

In addition to any lifestyle changes that might be necessary, your veterinarian may also prescribe an allergy relief medication for your dog. It can help control the signs associated with the allergic reaction, such as itching and any secondary skin infections that might have developed.

Source: akc.org

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