Is your dog scratching itself more than usual or shaking its head constantly? These could be signs that your dog is experiencing an allergic reaction to something.
As a pet parent, you always want the best for your furry friend. So when your dog is experiencing allergies, you’ll do anything you can to help it feel better again.
So if you’d like to figure out how to help your dog fight allergies and feel its best, keep reading.
What is an allergy?
An allergy is an abnormal immune response to foreign substances — like pollen or certain foods — that the body thinks are invaders. Both humans and pets can suffer from allergies.
What kinds of allergies can my dog have?
There are many different types of allergies that dogs experience. These include skin allergies, food allergies, and environmental allergens.
Skin allergies:
The most common type of allergies that dogs experience are skin allergies, also known as allergic dermatitis. These allergies have three chief causes:
- Flea allergy dermatitis
- Food allergies
- Environmental allergens
Some dogs are allergic to flea saliva, so fleabites can wreak havoc for them and cause an allergic reaction called flea allergy dermatitis. If your dog is suffering from this allergy, you’ll notice it scratching itself incessantly near the base of its tail, and its skin may appear red, inflamed, and scabbed. If you suspect your dog has this allergy, look out for fleas or flea dirt on its skin.
Food allergies, or sensitivities, can also cause your dog to have itchy skin. If your dog is experiencing a food allergy, it will usually scratch its ears and paws and could also have gastrointestinal symptoms.
Environmental allergens can include pollen, dust, mould, etc. These allergens can cause atopic dermatitis, like eczema, on your dog’s skin. Allergies caused by environmental allergens are often seasonal, meaning that your dog will only experience them at certain times of the year, for example: during the Springtime. If you see that your dog is scratching its ears and paws at certain times of the year, this could indicate seasonal allergies.
Remember to keep an eye on your dog’s skin allergies. The constant scratching, licking, and biting of the affected areas could cause a secondary yeast or bacterial infection on the skin. If you think your dog has a secondary infection, please consult your vet for further treatment.
Food allergies
Pet parents often confuse food allergies and food sensitivities. Real food allergies cause an immune reaction leading to skin conditions — such as itchiness, hives, or swelling – or gastrointestinal symptoms — like vomiting and diarrhoea — or both. On the other hand, food sensitivities don’t cause an immune reaction but instead produce a gradual reaction to an ingredient found in your dog’s food. However, symptoms for both food allergies and sensitivities are similar.
Occasionally, food allergies can cause a severe anaphylactic reaction, where your dog will struggle to breathe. If your dog experiences this, please take them to the vet immediately
Acute allergic reactions
As mentioned above, dogs can experience anaphylactic shock due to allergens, especially food and environmental ones. However, this is extremely rare in dogs.
Nevertheless, be vigilant if your dog is trying new food, has been stung by a bee or has just been vaccinated, as these can result in an anaphylactic reaction.
Look out for hives, swelling, breathing difficulties, or an extreme drop in blood pressure. If your dog is experiencing these symptoms, please take them to the vet, as anaphylaxis can be fatal.
What are the common symptoms of allergies in dogs?
Common allergy symptoms include:
- Itchiness
- Hives
- Swelling of the face, ears, eyelids, or lips
- Inflamed skin
- Chronic ear infections
- Itchy ears
- Itchy and runny eyes
- Sneezing
- Constant licking
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
These symptoms are broad and could also be a sign of another condition. So consult your vet to get a proper diagnosis.
Food allergies versus seasonal allergies
Since food and seasonal allergy symptoms overlap, it can be difficult for a pet parent to determine which allergy their dog is experiencing. So here’s what to look out for:
- Food allergies will attack your dog’s skin all over and often cause ear infections, whereas seasonal allergies usually cause a rash on the underbelly of your dog.
- Food allergies cause symptoms all year round, whereas seasonal allergies pop up at certain times of the year, especially in Spring and Summer.
- Food allergies often result in gastrointestinal symptoms, whereas seasonal allergies may result in watery eyes and sneezing.
One important thing to note is that ear infections are incredibly dangerous to your dog’s health and cause severe pain. To tell if your dog has an ear infection, check for heavy build-up in the ears, swelling, and hotness. If your dog is experiencing this, please take them to the vet to get antibiotics.
How do I get a diagnosis for my dog?
Diagnosing allergies in dogs can be tricky as allergy testing is not always accurate. More often than not, your vet will try and rule other conditions before diagnosing your dog with a specific allergy.
To diagnose flea allergy dermatitis, your vet will look for fleas on your dog’s body and apply medication to kill the fleas to prevent flea bites. If the allergy disappears after this, then it is likely that it was caused by fleas.
To diagnose a food allergy, you will need to work with your vet and usually do an elimination diet, which will help you find out which particular ingredient is causing the allergy. In most cases, your dog will be allergic to one specific type of protein or carbohydrate. So experiment with different foods, like grains versus no grains, or chicken versus lamb. Remember that this is a trial and error process and will take time because every dog is different. On average, it takes about two months for the old dog food to work its way out of your dog’s system, so always give the new dog food at least two months to get an accurate result.
How do I treat my dog’s allergies?
Avoidance of allergens is the best way to treat your dog’s allergies. However, this is not always possible. Depending on your dog’s specific type of allergy, treatment options differ. If your dog is experiencing a skin allergy, killing fleas and avoiding specific environmental allergens is what has to be done. If it is experiencing a food allergy, changing its diet is necessary.
Another treatment option is allergy relief medication, like an antihistamine, provided by your vet. Never give your dog any medication, unless directed to by your vet.
Obviously, prevention is better than cure, or treatment in this case. That’s why we suggest supporting your dog’s immune system with supplements. Help boost your furry friend’s immune system with Lil’ Zesties Alter-Immune Squares. They are full of vitamins, protein, fibre, and antioxidants to provide immune, allergy, and histamine support to help your dog feel its best.
We also recommend Zesty Paws Probiotic for Dogs, with natural digestive enzymes and prebiotics to help your dog’s tummy, when it is experiencing diarrhoea, gas, or constipation.
To keep your furry friend’s skin and coat looking and feeling good, use Zesty Paws Omega Bites. These contain Omega fatty acids, Vitamin C, Biotin, and Vitamin E that help to support the skin and coat for a healthy appearance.
Making sure that your furry friend is strong, happy, and healthy should always be your top priority. So if you suspect that your dog may be experiencing any of the above allergies, please book a vet appointment to get a complete diagnosis and consult your vet on any changes you decide to make.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-allergies-symptoms-treatment/https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/caring-for-a-dog-that-has-food-allergies#1https://www.smartypawshealth.com/blogs/all/how-to-tell-if-your-dog-is-suffering-from-seasonal-allergies