Recognizing & treating allergies in dogs

More and more dogs are suffering from allergies. These can manifest themselves in a variety of ways and severely affect your four-legged friend's life. This makes it all the more important that you recognize the symptoms early on. In the following, we will tell you what dogs are allergic to and which signs may indicate an allergy. You can also find out more about the diagnosis and suitable treatment options

How does an allergy develop in dogs?

An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system. It mistakenly recognizes harmless substances as a threat and reacts with a defensive response that can lead to various symptoms. The substances that cause such an immune reaction are also called allergens. For an allergy to develop, the dog must have come into contact with the allergen repeatedly or over a long period of time. Any dog can develop an allergy - regardless of age or breed.

The most common dog allergies at a glance

Allergies in dogs can be triggered by a variety of factors. Below we present the most common types of allergies that can occur in dogs:

Food allergy

In the case of a food allergy , the dog's immune system reacts to certain components of the food. The most common are allergies to beef (34%), chicken (15%) and lamb (14.5%) as well as dairy products (17%) and wheat (13%). In principle, however, dogs can be allergic to almost any ingredient. In some cases, however, the cause is not the food itself, but the food mites that can colonize the dry food.

Flea saliva allergy

Flea saliva allergy is one of the most common allergies in dogs. Affected dogs react sensitively to certain proteins in flea saliva. As soon as a flea bites, saliva is transferred to the dog's skin, triggering an allergic reaction. Even a single flea bite can cause symptoms. Caution is advised, especially in warm and humid weather, as the parasites are particularly active here.

Environmental allergy

In the case of an environmental allergy, the dog's immune system reacts to harmless substances in its environment. These can be pollen, grass, house dust, house dust mites or mold spores. Chemicals used for cleaning, for example, can also trigger such an allergy. Unlike humans, who often struggle with a runny nose and watery eyes, dogs frequently suffer from itching and skin inflammation. These symptoms often occur seasonally when the relevant allergens are more prevalent in the air.

Contact allergy

Dogs with a contact allergy are allergic to certain substances that come into direct contact with their skin. These reactions are often caused by anti-flea and tick collars that contain insecticides, acaricides or plant essences such as neem oil. But even seemingly harmless things such as rubber toys or metal bowls can trigger a contact allergy.

Recognizing allergy symptoms easily

The symptoms of an allergy in dogs can vary greatly and affect different areas of the body. Common signs are:

• Itching, increased head shaking
• Excessive nibbling and licking of the paws
• Inflammation of the skin, especially on the head, paws, armpits, abdomen and groin
• Hotspots (open, weeping wounds)
• Ear infections
• Hair loss
• Gastrointestinal problems such as flatulence, diarrhea and vomiting (only with food allergies)

If you notice these or similar symptoms in your dog, a visit to the vet is essential. Only a professional diagnosis can clarify whether it is an allergy and how it can best be treated.

How can allergies in dogs be diagnosed by a vet?

To diagnose an allergy in a dog, the vet will first take a detailed medical history and ask questions about the symptoms, diet and environment of your four-legged friend. Various tests will then be carried out to determine the exact trigger of the allergy:

• Blood test: This test can help to detect specific allergens in the dog's blood. However, it is very rarely carried out as it is not very conclusive.
• Allergy test (intradermal test): This involves injecting a small amount of the suspected allergen under the dog's skin to observe a reaction.
• Exclusion diet: In the case of food allergies, an exclusion diet can help to find the trigger. This usually involves feeding the dog a carbohydrate and protein source that it has not previously received. If there are no symptoms, further ingredients are gradually added to identify the allergen.
• Clinical exclusion procedure: Here, the diagnosis is made by gradually ruling out other diseases with similar symptoms. Blood tests and allergy tests can serve as supporting measures.

Experience from veterinary practice shows that neither blood tests nor intradermal tests alone are sufficient to reliably determine the allergy status of a dog. A combination of different methods is therefore essential. An accurate diagnosis is crucial in order to find the right treatment and help your furry friend.

Treatment options: What can I do?

The treatment of allergies in dogs depends on the type of allergy and the respective trigger. In order to be able to treat your four-legged friend adequately, the allergen must first be identified. If this is not the case, the vet can initially only alleviate your dog's acute symptoms with the help of medication. This will mainly involve prescribing immunosuppressants, anti-allergic and antipruritic medication. However, once the allergy trigger has been identified, avoidance is the best medicine.

In the case of a food allergy, it is crucial to consistently avoid the food ingredient that triggers the allergy. A targeted change of food is therefore essential. It is important to choose a food that is free from the allergen in question. The best choice is hypoallergenic dog food, which is specially tailored to the needs of allergic dogs. At VEGDOG you will find vegan wetand dry foodthat excludes the dog's main allergens and is therefore particularly well tolerated.

The best way to treat a flea bite allergy is with thorough flea prophylaxis. Antiparasitic medication or spot-on preparations are suitable for this. A thorough coat check is also essential. If you notice fleas on your four-legged friend, a flea comb and a special flea shampoo can also help to get rid of the parasites.

Desensitization can be considered for dogs with an environmental allergy in order to permanently reduce the symptoms of the allergy. The dog is gradually given an increasing amount of the allergen in order to get the immune system used to it and build up a tolerance. This form of treatment has proven particularly effective for pollen allergies.

Contact allergies are best treated by consistently avoiding contact with the triggering substance.

It is important that you follow the vet's treatment recommendations and attend regular check-ups to get the allergy under control. With the right support, your dog can lead a healthy and happy life despite the allergy.