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Unfortunately, allergies in canines are more common than we think. Understanding the signs and symptoms will help ensure that your canine companion enjoys a comfortable and allergy-free life. In this article, we share an in-depth guide that addresses the question, “Can dogs have allergies,” while covering other topics such as diagnosing and treatment options for allergies.
What are Allergies?
Allergies occur when a dog’s immune system negatively reacts to substances that are normally harmless. Also known as allergens, these substances can often result in an allergic response when ingested, inhaled, or make contact with your dog’s skin. When this happens, the canine body will mistake these environmental items as a threat, which can result in many different physical symptoms.
These reactions can significantly vary in severity, which will range from mild discomfort to a severe reaction, and in serious cases can even be a life-threatening condition.
Can Dogs Have Allergies?
Yes, dogs can have allergies like humans do; as mentioned above, this can be a common issue that pet owners experience. These can be triggered by a wide range of factors, which include environmental elements such as dust mites, mold, pollen, fleas, and even certain foods along with the ingredients used in grooming products. As such, it’s important to determine the cause of dog allergies so you can find the right solution for your dog’s needs.
Allergy Symptoms in Dogs
Recognizing dog allergy symptoms is an essential part of being a good pet parent. When it comes to canines, allergies can manifest in many different ways, and knowing about the early signs can help you determine when you need to get veterinary care. Below are some of the most common signs of dog allergies to look out for:
- Itchy skin
- Chronic ear infections
- Hives and skin rashes
- Sneezing
- Watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Paw licking and chewing
- Bald patches and hair loss
- Digestive issues
- Breathing difficulties
- Behavioral changes
- Hot spots
If you see any of the symptoms above, make sure to speak to your vet; they will be able to conduct tests to find out the cause of your dog’s allergies and recommend the right treatment. It’s important to remember that every dog is unique; what might be harmless to another dog could be a big allergen to your pup.
Different Types of Allergies
Knowing about the different types of allergies that can affect your dog is vital for effective treatment and management. Most dog allergies will fall under a category that will come with its set of triggers. Below is a breakdown of these various categories.
Environmental Allergies
This refers to allergens that are found around your dog’s surroundings, which include mold, pollen, grass, and dust mites. Dogs who suffer from environmental allergens will often suffer from seasonal symptoms as well, but allergens found indoors can also cause issues year-round.
Food Allergies
A food allergen isn’t as common compared to environmental allergies but can also lead to serious reactions. Dogs are commonly allergic to proteins such as dairy, chicken, beef, or wheat; symptoms of food allergies can range from skin problems to gastrointestinal issues.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD)
FAD is among the more common allergies seen in dogs and refers to an allergic reaction to flea saliva. Even one flea bite is enough to trigger intense allergic reactions which can lead to secondary skin infections, skin inflammation, and severe itching.
Skin Allergies
Also known as atopic dermatitis, skin allergies are often related to environmental allergens which result in itchy skin. This will then lead to licking, scratching, and biting the skin — continuous irritation can then result in hair loss, hot spots, and secondary skin infections.
Contact Allergies
Another less common form of allergy, contact allergy occurs when the dog’s skin comes into direct contact and negatively reacts to certain substances. This includes plastics, fabrics, or cleaning products; symptoms will typically include localized itching and skin irritation.
Most Common Allergens in Dogs
To help your pup stay safe from allergies, be sure to keep them away from common allergens that dogs can be sensitive to, which include the following:
- Fleas
- Pollen
- Mold spores
- Dust mites
- Certain foods
- Fabrics
- Deodorants and perfumes
- Cleaning products
Allergic Reactions in Dogs
As mentioned above, allergic reactions in canines can come out in many ways. Knowing about the various kinds of reactions your dog can have is vital to giving it the correct treatment in time.
Allergic Dermatitis
When dogs get allergic dermatitis, you will notice your dog doing lots of licking, scratching, or biting around the affected area. Getting constant irritation in these areas can result in hot spots, hair loss, and secondary infections, which is why it’s imperative to address underlying causes.
Hives
Also known as urticaria, hives can appear as itchy and raised bumps on the dog’s skin and are often caused by flea bites, foods, insect stings, and certain medications. While they can result in some discomfort, they’re not typically dangerous but they can lead to more serious reactions and will need to be monitored.
Face or Throat Swelling
Allergic reactions may also cause the face to swell, especially around the lips and eyes, but may also spread to the throat in more serious cases. Swelling in these areas can lead to distress in dogs; in severe cases when the throat is involved, it may result in breathing difficulties which need immediate attention from your vet.
Anaphylactic Shock
This is the most serious form of allergic reaction in dogs and can occur just minutes after being exposed to the allergen, which can potentially be life-threatening. Symptoms can include vomiting, weakness, diarrhea, breathing difficulties, and collapse. As such, your dog will need immediate veterinary care to help stabilize and treat your pup.
Allergy Testing for Dogs
Because it can be hard to differentiate between food and environmental allergies, it’s best to visit your vet to help figure out your dog’s allergies. Allergy testing involves bringing your pup to a clinic where your vet will ask questions regarding your dog’s medical history and diet. The vet may suggest skin testing or blood testing to try and identify the trigger behind your pup’s allergies.
Diagnosing Allergies
Generally, flea allergies are the easiest to diagnose and are confirmed when fleas are located on your dog’s body. Usually, all that needs to be done is to apply a product that will kill the fleas to see if it resolves the issues. For other allergies, your vet will conduct tests to rule out other conditions that may be causing your dog’s symptoms.
If your vet thinks that allergies are the cause, they may start with allergy testing to determine what’s causing the allergic reaction. However, it may not always be possible to see the cause of allergies since there are complicated cases at times. Going through an elimination diet will often help to diagnose food allergies; you can try doing a food trial that consists of feeding your dog one protein source and carbohydrates for 12 weeks.
Treating Allergies in Dogs
When it comes to treating any type of allergy, the best way to give your dog comfort is to avoid the allergen and cause, but this might not always be possible. The type of treatment will depend on the kind of allergy your dog has; for instance, the best way to treat a food intolerance or food allergy is to change their diet. Similarly, the best way to treat flea allergies is to kill fleas.
Depending on the severity and cause of your dog’s allergic reaction, your vet may prescribe multiple medications. Regarding hives, your veterinarian may suggest cortisones, antihistamines, or medicated shampoos, while food allergies may call for fish oil or other kinds of Omega-3 supplements. For skin allergies, you might be prescribed dog-friendly shampoo or wipes to provide relief for irritated skin.
Apart from the necessary lifestyle changes that your dog might need, your vet might also prescribe allergy relief medications to help control any signs associated with its allergy. This could include itching and secondary skin infections which may have developed as a result of these irritants. If your dog is suffering from a severe allergic reaction, the best thing to do is to take them to an emergency veterinary hospital immediately.
Here, they will be given the appropriate allergy shots as well as the best treatment plan that’s tailored to your dog’s specific needs.
Conclusion
Any kind of allergy can wreak havoc on a dog’s body, and can reduce not only their overall health but also their quality of life; while symptoms can overlap, there are a few ways for you to determine exactly what causes allergies in dogs. The root causes behind signs of allergic reactions can be traced back to specific allergens, so once your vet can determine why your dog is allergic, they will be able to give you the right treatment for it. But before your dog can get the help it needs, you need to make sure you’re familiar with the symptoms associated with allergies to ensure it gets the care and attention it needs.
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