Dog Allergies / Dermatology

How do you know if my dog has allergies?

If your dog is experiencing persistent itching, scratching, hair loss, red bumps, broken skin, or crusts, these may be indicators of allergies. Additionally, red, dirty, painful, or itchy ears can also signal an allergic reaction.

What causes dogs to have allergies?

Allergies generally fall into three main categories. The first is parasitic allergies, with flea allergy being the most common. Some dogs are allergic to the saliva left behind by flea bites, triggering irritation and discomfort. The second category is food allergies, which typically stem from a reaction to proteins in food, though carbohydrates can also be a culprit. Lastly, environmental allergies encompass a wide range of triggers, including grasses, trees, pollen, mold, and even household dust mites.

Can you cure dog allergies?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for allergies. The best approach is symptom management, and there are many tools available to help. Finding the right solution for you and your pet often involves trial and error, as different methods work for different cases. Effective allergy management focuses on preventing itching and reducing the risk of secondary infections, ensuring your pet stays as comfortable as possible.

Are there any home remedies for dog allergies?

There are several steps you can take to help manage your dog's allergies at home. Regularly changing your furnace filter and vacuuming frequently can reduce allergens inside your home, while keeping windows closed helps limit exposure to outdoor irritants. After outdoor activities, wiping your dog down and giving them more frequent baths can help minimize allergy symptoms. Additionally, ensuring your dog stays up to date on veterinary-recommended flea and tick prevention is crucial—since flea allergies can significantly worsen other allergy symptoms, this is one area that’s relatively easy to control.

How do you know if your dog's allergies are serious enough to bring to the veterinarian?

If your dog is experiencing persistent itching, hair loss, red bumps, scabs, bleeding, or if the ears are red, painful, stinky, itchy, those are all signs that the allergies have gotten out of control and we need to work on getting that infection back under control.