Allergies in Dogs

Yes, dogs can have allergies, which are more common than you might think. Allergies occur when a dog’s immune system overreacts to a normally harmless substance, like pollen, certain foods, or even flea saliva. The consequences of allergic reactions can range from mild discomfort to severe symptoms that require veterinary care. Knowing the triggers and watching for signs can help you quickly address your dog’s needs.

If you’ve noticed the signs and symptoms below, your dog may have an underlying allergy.
Common symptoms include:
•    Red or Inflamed Skin: Allergic reactions often result in redness, especially on sensitive areas like the belly, ears or paws.
•    Itchy Skin: Persistent scratching, biting, or licking can indicate skin irritation caused by allergies.
•    Hair loss: Allergies can cause dogs to lose patches of fur due to excessive scratching or biting.
•    Swelling: Allergic reactions may cause swelling in dogs, most commonly observed around the face, ears, or paws.
•    Sneezing: Frequent sneezing can indicate environmental allergies, such as pollen.
•    Runny Nose and Eyes: Watery eyes or a runny nose are also common with environmental triggers.
•    Vomiting and Diarrhoea: If your dog is vomiting or experiencing diarrhoea, it could be due to a food allergy.
There are many other potential causes of these symptoms, so it’s important to seek veterinary advice. 

Understanding the type of underlying allergy helps us to manage and treat these conditions more effectively. Some of the most common dog allergies are: 

Atopic dermatitis is a common skin allergy in dogs. It is often caused by a reaction to environmental allergens such as pollen, plant matter, mould or dust mites. Although this condition can occur year-round, it most commonly presents during the warmer months of the year (spring/summer), when these allergens are more widespread (seasonal allergies).  
•    Symptoms: Itchiness and redness of the skin, especially during summer. Secondary skin infections may develop, leading to skin scabs, crusts or pustules. Sneezing and watery eyes may also be observed. 
•    Management: Keep your home clean and dust-free and wipe your dog’s paws after walks to minimise allergen exposure. Regular bathing with appropriate products (see NexGard’s guide on washing a dog) can help reduce any allergens on your dog's skin or within their coat and help to soothe irritated skin. Your vet may prescribe medications to reduce irritation and inflammation or control secondary infections. Veterinary advice should be sought prior to administering any oral medication to your pet.  

An allergy to flea bites is common in dogs and is a type of skin allergy. The condition is known as flea allergy dermatitis. 
•    Symptoms: Flea allergy dermatitis in dogs results in signs such as red and inflamed skin, excessive biting and scratching (especially around the base of the tail and back legs), skin rashes (small red bumps and patches on the skin) and scabs. Flea ‘dirt’ (black specks of flea faeces) may be visible in your dog’s coat. 
•    Management: Using an effective flea control product like NexGard SPECTRA all year round will treat and prevent flea infestations and control flea allergy dermatitis. 

Food allergies can develop when a dog’s immune system reacts negatively to certain ingredients in their diet. Common triggers include animal proteins like chicken or beef. 
•    Dog food allergy symptoms: may include vomiting, diarrhoea, itchy skin, itchy ears and chronic and recurring ear infections.
•    Dog food allergy treatment: There is no cure, but your vet may recommend undertaking a food elimination trial with the aim to avoid the type of food that triggers the reaction. 

Testing your dog for allergies is an important step in identifying triggers. Some common methods your vet may recommend include:
•    Skin Tests: This process involves injecting small amounts of potential allergens into the skin to observe for reactions.
•    Blood Tests: These tests can measure your dog’s immune response to various allergens.
•    Elimination Diets: To diagnose food allergies, your vet may recommend changing to a diet that doesn’t contain common food allergens, to help identify problematic ingredients.

Dog allergy treatment often involves a combination of management strategies and medications:
•    Avoidance: The most effective way to prevent allergic reactions is to avoid the allergen altogether. However, this may not be possible if the allergen is prevalent in the environment. 
•    Medications: Your vet may recommend oral or injectable medications to control the signs. 
•    Topical Treatments: Your vet may recommend medicated shampoos or creams to manage the signs and treat any secondary infections.  
•    Flea Prevention: Using an effective flea control product year-round is recommended for dogs with skin problems.
Always consult your vet to determine the best treatment for your dog’s specific needs.