Navigating Dog Allergies: Identifying and Managing Common Culprits

One of the top reasons for veterinary appointments is due to allergies in dogs. A change of reaction in dogs found in their skin cells, saliva, or urine is often referred to as a pet allergy.

Dogs' allergic symptoms commonly occur in their ears and skin. While allergies in people are often cured, allergies in dogs tend to worsen as they mature. 

Here's what you should know about dog allergies, their symptoms, and how you can prevent your dog from its allergies.

Skin allergies: 

Allergies to the skin, commonly known as allergic dermatitis ( or atopic dermatitis), are the most frequent type of allergy in dogs. Your dog may be allergic to any variety of allergens that are causing its skin to itch, scratch, and become deeply irritable. 

If your dog has a skin allergy, then they are allergic to something (or several things) that they come in contact with such as:

• Dust mites at home

• Molds, pollens, grass, and trees

• Fleas 

• Food, etc 

The majority of dogs with allergic skin are allergic to more than one allergy.

Symptoms in dogs can be easily detectable so you can contact a veterinarian immediately if any of these symptoms are found in your dog:

• Scratching the skin

• Licking the body, especially the paws

• Biting the skin

• Chronic ear and skin infections

• Foul odor

Causes of skin allergies: 

Three main factors that cause allergies on your pups’ skin are:

Flea Allergies:

The saliva of a flea from flea bites can provoke an allergic reaction in some dogs that can cause flea allergy dermatitis. An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system overreacts or becomes hypersensitive to a substance that is usually harmless (called an antigen). 

Symptoms:

• Your dog's skin becomes severely itchy, particularly at the lower back, thighs, and base of the tail. 

• Their skin may become reddish, swollen, and scabbed. 

• In white dogs, hair may be stained brown from licking.

• Becoming extreme restless and uncomfortable

• Missing patches of fur or hair/loss of hair

Prevention:

When it comes to treating your dog for flea allergies, there are two key factors. The first step is to get rid of the fleas and keep your pet safe from further bites. Your veterinarian can advise you on the most effective safe flea control for your dog and her surroundings.

Any secondary infections caused by flea allergy can also be treated by your veterinarian. Antibiotics and medicines are frequently used in treatment to reduce itching. Getting itching under control is very crucial at this point! 

Environmental Allergies:

Dust, mold, and pollen are forms of allergens found in the environment. Seasonal and environmental changes can affect dogs, just like they affect humans. These allergy triggers can occur at specific times of the year or all year long.

Symptoms:

When specific allergens are present, your dog may get "hot spots" or "itchy spots" on their skin.

Prevention: 

Dogs with environmental allergies can be harder to treat. It's practically impossible to eliminate your dog's exposure to pollen or other airborne allergies. There are some home remedies that you may take to help your dog's allergies occasionally. Some of them are:

• Regular bathing to remove pollen, spores, and other allergies from their fur and face. Also, clean your dog's paws before bringing them inside your home every time.

• People reduce their outside time and walk owing to seasonal changes. So, to keep your pup engaged, replace that outdoor time with playing indoor games, puzzle toys, etc.

• Flea-killing products act as a solution to kill fleas, thus saving dogs' exposure to flea bites or their saliva if they are allergic to them.

Food allergies: 

Food allergy is caused when antibodies produced against your dog's immune system overreact to a healthy material. Food is the most significant reason for allergic reactions in dogs. Many dogs are allergic to one or more proteins and the most common are beef and dairy products.

Symptoms:

Like humans, dogs experience many different signs and dog food allergy symptoms to watch out for. Some might include:

• Itchy skin

• Infection in ears and paws

• Hives

• Gastrointestinal issues

• Lethargy

• Swollen face

Prevention:

Food allergies in dogs are treated by feeding a hypoallergenic diet for 8-12 weeks. Hypoallergenic diets contain fewer components and employ an unusual protein source to reduce allergic symptoms.

Depending on the severity of the allergic infection, laser treatments, injectable non-steroidal allergy medicines, medicated baths, etc., may be followed as the treatment for your dogs.

Conclusion: 

If you love dogs and don't want to give up being around them, more lifestyle adjustments and allergy medications listed above will help you lessen annoying symptoms.

An allergist can do tests to determine the severity of your dog's allergy and what treatments are available at the moment. Discuss your dog's allergy and treatment options with your doctor.