Like humans, pets can have allergies to food, pollen and insects. Some breeds of dogs are especially sensitive, with terriers, setters, retrievers and brachycephalic breeds being the most commonly affected.
Pet Allergy Symptoms
Allergy symptoms can include sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea and runny eyes, but the most common symptom is skin irritation. It is often very difficult to determine what might be causing pet allergy symptoms, but the observant dog owner can often discover the culprit by the process of elimination.
Flea Allergies
This is a common issue for many dogs, especially in the summer when the flea population is high. A dog who is allergic to fleas will often have small bumps on their skin and hair loss from flea bites. Treating the fleas should remove the itchiness and the bumps, but if the skin has become very irritated, the dog may require veterinary pet allergy treatment for thorough healing of the skin.
Environmental Pet Allergies
Dogs who are allergic to grass, tree pollen and other common outdoor allergens may be itchy when they come inside after a romp in the yard. A dog who has been on the grass may have a red, itchy belly or itchy feet. Limiting time outdoors and giving your dog a bath after spending time outdoors may ease symptoms, but your dog’s veterinarian should be consulted for additional treatment.
Food Allergies
Food allergies are surprisingly common in dogs and can come from some seemingly unusual sources. The popularity of grain-free food has removed possible allergens such as corn and wheat from most high-quality dog foods. However, many food allergies for dogs are from the meat proteins in the food; it is common for dogs to be allergic to meat such as chicken, pork or beef. Dogs with food allergies may have gastrointestinal symptoms and itchy skin. Switching the dog’s food to a new, unique protein such as fish or venison can typically resolve the allergies.
Pet Allergy Treatment
The first step to treating your pet’s food allergies is typically your pet’s veterinary office, where the veterinarian can assess your pet’s health and rule out other causes for itchiness and other symptoms. Allergy testing by a board-certified veterinary dermatologist can identify the causes for more difficult skin symptoms, and medical treatments may be available when needed.
For food allergies, there are an increasing number of options to meet a dog’s special dietary needs based on your veterinarian’s recommendations.
For environmental allergies, your pet’s doctor may prescribe an oral or topical antihistamine to help minimize the issues. In severe or persistent cases, they may also provide shots of antihistamine and/or steroid to “kick start” the allergy into subsiding.
No pet should be uncomfortable or itchy, and by carefully observing your dog’s allergy symptoms and behavior, you can help him or her avoid allergens and be more comfortable.