Dog Allergies Basics

by Ciara Black

While in humans allergies most commonly manifest with respiratory symptoms, dogs with allergies are most likely to suffer with skin issues.

If your dog is itching and scratching, an allergy is one of the prime suspects.

It is important to properly diagnose and treat your dogʼs allergy, as he cannot do it himself. 

Be sure to monitor your dogʼs change in behavior or any symptoms of a possible allergy.

The most common types of allergies in dogs are

• Flea allergies
• Atopy (sometimes called inhalant allergy)
• Food allergies

About 40% of dogs suffer from allergies everyday. 

It could be a change in your dogʼs environment, a new type of dog food or something a little more difficult to determine.

Most allergies are very minor, however, you should always take your dog to the
veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Not sure what to look for when it comes to allergies? 

Without a doubt, the most common symptom of an allergy is excessive itching and biting of the fur.

However, there are other things to keep an eye out for. Other symptoms may include:

• Bumps or sores on the skin; also known as “hot spots”. A hot spot is a localized area of skin inflammation and infection. These can be caused by excessive biting, licking or scratching of the skin. Common areas for hot spots are on the paws or right above the tail.
• Ear infections. These are very common in food allergies. 90% of ear infections occur on the outer ear of your dog. Some signs of an ear infection are itching, a yellow to brown coloured discharge or head shaking.
• Irritated, red rashes under the fur. If your dog is itching in one area in particular, check that area for a rash. The area is usually flakey, red and slightly swollen. Often times a rash can pop up within the first few hours in contact with the allergen.
• Watery eyes and nose. Your dogʼs nose and eyes are naturally moist and may water for no reason. It is important to note if your dog has excessive eye discharge or mucous along with any other allergy symptoms to determine whether or not it is an allergy.

You can learn more about dog allergies, their symptoms and a list of treatments at
www.dogallergiesresource.com

Related articles:
Why Is My Dog So Itchy? Top 5 Causes Of Itching In Dogs
Dog Allergies: Common, Commonly Misdiagnosed, or Both?
Food Allergies in Dogs