Do Dogs Have Allergies?

March 21, 2022

Are dog allergies a thing? Yes. Dogs do have allergies too. Generally, dog allergies are divided up into three categories:

• Skin allergies
• Food allergies  
• Acute allergic reaction 

Skin Allergies

Skin allergies or allergic dermatitis rank as the most prevalent allergic reaction in dogs. They are caused by one of the following three:

• Food allergies 
• Flea allergy dermatitis 
• Environmental allergens 

These allergies may present as itchy skin, resulting in skin becoming red, inflamed, and scabbed. Flea allergy dermatitis is caused by fleas while environmental allergens like pollen, mold and dust may cause atopic dermatitis or atopic allergic reactions.  

Food Allergies 

Actual food allergies in dogs stimulate an immune response which can present symptoms ranging from skin conditions like facial swelling, hives, and itchiness to gastrointestinal signs like vomiting and/or diarrhea. Anaphylaxis may occur in rare cases. 

Food allergies are rare and the most common form of reaction to foods in dogs is food intolerance. These do not induce an immune response and are simply a reaction to a disturbing ingredient. 

To diagnose and manage a food allergy, it is essential to work with your veterinarian.

Acute Allergic Reaction 

This is the most alarming of all three allergy types. A reaction to an allergen can send dogs into anaphylactic shock which can be fatal if not quickly handled. 

Some common causes of this include vaccine reactions and bee stings. The upside is that anaphylactic reactions are very rare in dogs. 

Common reactions to an allergen could include swellings of the throat, lips, face, ear flaps, and eyelids. 

Treatments for Allergies 

The top cure for allergies is total avoidance of culprit allergen. For instance, getting rid of fleas would prevent flea allergy dermatitis and taking out offending ingredients can prevent food intolerance. 

Veterinary medicine has come a long way and swellings from a reaction can commonly be treated with an antihistamine. Similarly, your veterinarian may prescribe other medication for allergy relief. 

What You Can Do To Aid Allergy Relief

To aid allergy relief at home, you can keep offending ingredients and insects at bay. Also, certain home remedies may help. 

Conclusion 

Prevention is the keyword here. Keep an eye out and prevent reactions altogether.