What is an allergy and how do you recognize it in dogs? Find out more about the diagnosis and treatment of allergies in dogs.

Is your dog behaving unusually? No, more than usual! Diarrhea, bloating, rumbling tummy, vomiting, or frequent scratching and itching seem to be the order of the day? Then it’s possible that your furry friend is suffering from an allergy. Don’t worry! We’ll help you recognize more signs and provide some tips on how to get your pup back on its paws.

What is an Allergy?

If your dog reacts to something specific, like a certain type of food, it could be an allergy or intolerance. Depending on whether it’s an allergy, the symptoms can vary in severity.

While an intolerance might only require holding back a few gas emissions, allergies can lead to more severe health consequences due to the activated immune system. Unlike intolerance, which is merely attributed to the lack of an enzyme for processing certain nutrients, an allergy is an exaggerated response of the body to a particular substance. While healthy dogs can normally tolerate certain environmental substances or meat types like beef, in the case of an allergy, the body may switch to high alert, erroneously sending corresponding signals to the immune system.

Which Allergies are Most Common in Dogs?

The most common allergies in dogs include allergies to fleas and other parasites, environmental allergies (atopy) such as pollen and grass, contact allergies, and in fourth place, food allergies and intolerances.

Every dog can react differently to the composition – sometimes it’s a single component, and sometimes it’s multiple elements. Certain meats, such as chicken and beef, are often associated with allergy-triggering potential, according to studies. This is due to protein compounds in the meat or other food components like grains or soy. All grains together statistically form the largest allergy component when it comes to food allergies in dogs.

Overview of Allergies in Dogs

Parasite Allergy:

When parasites such as fleas and mites come into contact with your dog’s body, they release saliva and toxins. In an allergic reaction, the immune system shows a pronounced response.

Environmental Allergy:

Certain substances from the environment come into contact with your dog’s body, triggering an allergic reaction. Environmental allergies include reactions to specific soils, plants, substances, pollen and grasses, as well as perfumes or detergents.

Contact Allergy:

Contact allergy manifests similarly to environmental allergy upon contact with substances. This could be, for example, your dog’s food bowl or its favorite hard plastic or rubber toy.

Food Allergy:

Food allergies are innate reactions and intolerances to food components. Products containing grains, soy, lactose, and artificial colorings and flavorings are well-known for this. Also, meat types like beef or chicken are common allergy triggers due to their protein compounds.

How Do Allergies Develop in Dogs?

Allergies rarely occur after the initial contact with the triggering component. Typically, multiple contacts between, for example, food and the body are required for the development of an allergy. While the first contact involves internal processes and sensitizes the body to an allergen, symptoms become visible from the second or third contact onward. Causes for allergies can be found in the diet, environmental conditions like particulate matter, damp living environments, and even in the inheritance of allergies.

How to Recognize Allergies in Dogs?

Unfortunately, dogs can only communicate to a limited extent. Therefore, paying attention to symptoms is the first step in identifying an allergy. The following symptoms indicate whether your furry friend is suffering from an allergy or intolerance:

In summary, dogs suffering from allergies exhibit itching, inflammations, and gastrointestinal issues.

How Does Allergy Testing Work in Dogs?

Various tests aid veterinarians in diagnosing allergies in dogs. In addition to the classic blood test, there is an allergy test, an elimination diet, and other clinical procedures for identification. Notably, blood and allergy tests often do not provide clear and reliable results.

The “test of choice” for allergies is usually the elimination diet. Despite its name, the procedure is not really a diet; it involves excluding specific food components from your dog’s diet in phases to identify potential allergens or intolerances. The elimination diet lasts several weeks to months as the body adapts slowly. Often, this method can pinpoint the ingredient to which your dog is allergic.

For environmental allergies or others, various methods are available. Specialized examinations are conducted, gradually ruling out specific conditions until the corresponding allergy is identified.

How Much Does an Allergy Test Cost for Dogs?

Depending on the veterinarian and the extent of the test, it costs approximately $100 to $300, often settling in the middle range. The cost varies widely because sometimes multiple triggers are investigated, increasing the complexity. An elimination diet, on the other hand, incurs “only” consultation fees and costs for the new diet.

How to Treat Allergies in Dogs?

Eliminate or Avoid Parasites and Substances:

If the diagnosis reveals an allergy to parasites like fleas, the therapy involves removing the parasites. Creating an environment where the allergy-inducing source occurs minimally or not at all can alleviate symptoms. If itching is already severe, supportive ointments may be prescribed.

Elimination Diet:

What helps in diagnosis is also effective in treatment. For food allergies, the method of choice is often excluding certain ingredients from the menu. While it may sound challenging, it mainly requires one thing – from you: Patience. And time. And definitely consistency!

Feed in consultation with veterinarians over an extended period—around 8 weeks—preferably monoproteins, meaning only one meat type. Avoid beef, pork, and any meat that your furry friend has had issues with recently to eliminate intolerances from the outset. Absolutely exclude grains, sugar, soy, and artificial additives.

Hypoallergenic Food:

“Hypoallergenic” means producing products with minimal allergy-triggering ingredients. These hypoallergenic meat types are ideal for an elimination diet but should be limited to a single one. Some naturally hypoallergenic foods for dog diets include:

Preventing Allergies in Dogs

The development of allergies is complex, and unlike other diseases, prevention is challenging. For preventing flea allergies, proper and consistent prevention is essential by administering specific products in consultation with a veterinarian.

A diverse, species-appropriate diet allows the body to adapt to various protein and carbohydrate sources. However, it’s important to be sparing with hypoallergenic sources like kangaroo, horse, etc., as exotic varieties can be helpful in case of allergies.

For environmental allergies, focus on breeding with healthy animals and consider the dog’s origin. Ensure that your dog comes from certified breeders or reputable shelters, never from illegal puppy mills or hobby breeders, to prevent any potential issues.