It’s no secret that allergies are a pain – both figuratively and literally. If you’re among the millions of people who suffer from seasonal allergies, you know how miserable they can make you feel. But did you know that your beloved furry friend can also suffer from allergies?
While human allergies tend to be seasonal, dog allergies can be year-round. And, just like with people, they can range from mild to severe. The good news is that, even though your pup can’t tell you when they’re feeling under the weather, there are some telltale signs to look out for.
The most common symptom of allergies in dogs is itching, which can present itself as incessant scratching, chewing, or licking. If your dog is constantly itching, it’s important to take them to the vet to rule out other possible causes, like fleas, before assuming it’s an allergy.
Other common symptoms of allergies in dogs include:
- Hot spots (lesions that are red, moist, and inflamed)
- Excessive shedding
- Ear infections
- Gastrointestinal issues like vomiting or diarrhea
- Respiratory problems like sneezing or wheezing
If your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to take them to the vet for a check-up. Once you’ve ruled out other possible causes of their symptoms, your vet can help you figure out if your pup is allergic to something in their environment.
There are a few different types of allergies that can affect dogs, but the most common are food allergies, environmental allergies (also called atopic dermatitis), and contact allergies. Let’s take a closer look at each of these.
- Food allergies
- Environmental allergies
- Contact allergies
Food Allergies
Just like people, dogs can be allergic to certain foods. The most common food allergens for dogs are proteins, like beef, chicken, lamb, and fish. Grains like wheat, corn, and soy are also common triggers.
If your dog has a food allergy, the symptoms will usually show up within a few hours to a few days after eating the offending food. In some cases, the symptoms may not appear for weeks or even months.
Environmental Allergies
Environmental allergies, also called atopic dermatitis, are the most common type of allergy in dogs. These allergies are usually caused by pollen, mold, dust mites, or other airborne irritants.
Environmental allergies can be seasonal or year-round, depending on the trigger. For example, if your dog is allergic to pollen, their symptoms will likely worsen during peak pollen season. On the other hand, if they’re allergic to dust mites, their symptoms will be present year-round.
Contact Allergies
Contact allergies are less common than food and environmental allergies, but they can still affect some dogs. These allergies are caused by contact with a certain substance, like certain chemicals, fabrics, or plants.
If your dog has a contact allergy, their symptoms will usually appear within minutes to hours after coming into contact with the trigger. In some cases, the symptoms may not appear for days or even weeks.
Top Five Worst Allergy Triggers for Dogs
Now that you know a little bit more about the different types of allergies that can affect dogs, let’s take a look at the top five worst triggers.
- Pollen
- Mold
- Dust mites
- Fleas
- Food
1. Pollen
Pollen is one of the most common environmental allergens that affect dogs. If your pup is allergic to pollen, they’ll likely have symptoms like itchiness, sneezing, and runny eyes.
Pollen allergies can be seasonal or year-round, depending on the type of pollen your dog is allergic to. For example, tree pollen is typically worst in the spring, while grass pollen is usually worst in the summer and fall.
Another thing you should know about pollen is that it can be transported long distances by the wind, so your dog doesn’t even have to be outside to be affected.
2. Mold
Mold is another common environmental allergen that can affect dogs. If your dog is allergic to mold, they may have symptoms like itchiness, sneezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
Mold allergies can be year-round or seasonal, depending on the type of mold your dog is allergic to. For example, indoor mold spores are usually present year-round, while outdoor mold spores are usually worst in the spring and fall.
Mold is often found in damp, humid places, so it’s important to keep your dog away from any areas that may be harboring mold spores. This includes places like basements, garages, and storage sheds.
3. Dust Mites
Dust mites are tiny creatures that live in dust and other tiny particles. If your dog is allergic to dust mites, they may have symptoms like itchiness, sneezing, and runny eyes.
Dust mite allergies are usually year-round, since dust mites are present indoors and outdoors. However, their symptoms may be worse in the winter when people spend more time indoors.
Also, dust mites are often found in bedding, so it’s important to wash your dog’s bedding regularly in hot water to kill any dust mites that may be present.
4. Fleas
Fleas are small insects that bite animals to feed on their blood. If your dog is allergic to flea bites, they may have symptoms like itching, biting, and hot spots.
Flea allergies are usually seasonal, since fleas are most common in the warmer months. However, if your dog lives in an area with a warm climate, they may have flea allergies year-round.
Another thing to keep in mind is that fleas can often be found in grassy or wooded areas, so it’s important to keep your dog away from these areas if possible. Make sure to find the best shampoo for fleas if your dog is infected.
5. Food
Food allergies are less common than environmental and contact allergies, but they can still affect some dogs. The most common food allergens for dogs are proteins, like beef, chicken, lamb, and fish. Grains like wheat, corn, and soy are also common triggers.
If your dog has a food allergy, the symptoms will usually show up within a few hours to a few days after eating the offending food. In some cases, the symptoms may not appear for weeks or even months.
Also, it’s important to know that food allergies can be very serious, so if you think your dog may have a food allergy, it’s important to talk to your veterinarian so you can find the right food. They can help you figure out if your dog has a food allergy and how to best manage it.
Treating Allergies in Dogs
If your dog has allergies, there are a few things you can do to help them feel better.
First, if your dog has seasonal allergies, you can try to avoid their triggers by keeping them indoors during peak allergy season. This may not be possible if your dog is allergic to something like pollen, but it can help if they’re allergic to dust mites or fleas. Flea collars can also be helpful.
Second, you can give your dog antihistamines to help relieve their symptoms. Antihistamines work by blocking the histamine response, which helps to reduce itching, sneezing, and runny eyes.
Third, if your dog has a food allergy, you can try switching them to a hypoallergenic diet. Hypoallergenic diets are made with ingredients that are less likely to trigger allergies.
Finally, if your dog’s allergies are severe, you may need to give them corticosteroids to help relieve their symptoms. Corticosteroids work by reducing inflammation and swelling. They can be given orally, topically, or by injection.
Dog Allergies Treatment Checklist
If your dog has allergies, there are a few things you can do to help them feel better. Here’s a checklist of things you can do:
- Keep your dog indoors during peak allergy season.
- Give your dog antihistamines.
- Switch your dog to a hypoallergenic diet.
- Give your dog corticosteroids.
Do you think your dog may have allergies? Check out this quiz to find out.
- Does your dog itch or scratch more than normal?
- Does your dog have a runny nose or watery eyes?
- Does your dog sneeze or cough more than normal?
- Does your dog have hot spots or bald patches?
- Does your dog seem withdrawn or tired?
- Does your dog seem uncomfortable or in pain?
- Has your dog’s appetite changed?
- Has your dog’s weight changed?
- Are you seeing any other changes in your dog’s behavior or appearance?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, your dog may have allergies. Talk to your vet about the best way to treat your dog’s allergies. Don’t hesitate to reach out because it can make a world of difference in the treatment process.
With the right treatment, your dog can live a happy and healthy life, even with allergies. We hope this article has been helpful in giving you some information about dog allergies and how to treat them. Stay safe and healthy, everyone!