You’d do anything to keep your dog safe, comfortable, and happy. So when your furry friend is constantly scratching, shaking their head, licking, or pawing at their face, you know you’ve got to do something.
These are signs your dog could be dealing with a skin allergy or sensitivity. To diagnose and treat your dog, first set up an appointment with your veterinarian. Then, read on to understand:
- Common causes of skin allergies in dogs
- Signs your dog may have a food allergy
- How to diagnose your dog’s allergy with a diet trial
- The best dog food for skin allergies and sensitivities
Common Causes of Dog Skin Allergies and Rashes
Is your dog constantly scratching at their ears and paws? Are you finding irritated red spots or swollen, bumpy patches on your dog’s skin? These symptoms are signs that your best friend may have developed allergic dermatitis, otherwise known as a skin allergy.
The most common causes of dog skin allergic reactions include:
- Parasites, including fleas, ticks, mites, ringworm, and lice (not actually allergens)
- Environmental factors, like dust, pollen, dry air, and mold
- Food allergies
Parasites
With the help of your veterinarian, you’ll be able to narrow down the general cause of your dog’s skin irritation pretty quickly. Your vet will recognize parasites and/or their bite marks on the skin (like how mosquito bites show up on us). They will probably treat your pup by applying a topical product that kills parasites.
The good news is when your dog has a parasite, they’re likely not actually allergic to anything — it’s just skin irritation from those pesky bugs!
Environmental Allergens
With most environmental allergens, you’ll notice symptoms in your dog around certain times of the year. Does your dog scratch their ears or lick their paws more in the spring or fall? It could be due to pollen in the air or on the grass.
Dry air can also cause the pads of your dog’s paws and/or their snout to dry out and crack. Since these cracks can lead to infection, it’s important to monitor the affected areas and talk to your vet about treatment options.
Additionally, tell your vet if your dog’s environment has changed recently. Moving to a different house, going to a new dog care facility, or even changing laundry detergents can cause skin irritation.
Food Allergies
If you and your vet have ruled out the first two common skin irritants for dogs and they’re still uncomfortable, it may be that your dog has food allergies or sensitivities.
Signs Your Dog May Have A Food Allergy
Food allergies and sensitivities in dogs can develop over time, even if your dog has been eating the same food for years.
Symptoms of food allergies in dogs include:
- Itchy paws, belly, face, and anal area
- Patches of red, irritated skin
- Skin lesions (from scratching/licking)
- Bacterial infections
- Yeast infections
- Ear infections
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Bronchitis (rare)
- Anaphylaxis (rare)
Dr. Michele Drake from The Drake Center for Veterinary Care says signs your dog may be having an allergic reaction include “scratching, itching, licking, scooting their fannies on the ground sometimes, rubbing their faces. These are probably the most common signs of allergies in dogs.”
If parasites and environmental allergens have been ruled out and your dog is still exhibiting signs of discomfort, your vet will probably recommend a diet trial. A diet trial will help you uncover the ingredient that your pup has grown sensitive to.
Diagnosing & Treating Dog Food Allergies or Sensitivities
The American Veterinary Medical Association published a paper in 2022 explaining that the only way to diagnose food allergies in dogs is to conduct a diet trial. Its authors say, “the diagnosis of food allergy in dogs and cats currently relies on performing a diet trial and subsequent provocation. This is currently the only reliable diagnostic test.”
A diet trial for dogs means restricting one ingredient at a time for a period of five weeks to determine which ingredient is bothering your dog.
Common food allergens for dogs include:
- Beef
- Dairy
- Chicken
- Wheat
- Lamb
- Fish
Dr. Drake points out that diet trials “require that the owner understands that this is a process — it can take a while…Sometimes it takes several months for us to get things under control.”
In addition to eliminating allergens from your dog’s food, your vet will have solutions to treat their symptoms in the meantime.
Tips for Dog Diet Trials
If you and your vet feel a diet trial the next step in diagnosing and treating your dog’s allergy, follow these tips for the best results:
- Clean your dog’s food and water dishes every day.
- Eliminate one ingredient at a time.
- Restrict one ingredient from your dog’s diet for five weeks.
- Keep a log of what your dog eats each day.
- Do not feed your dog table scraps during the diet trial.
- Feed your dog quality, clearly-labeled food brands.
- Keep your veterinarian up to date on changes in symptoms and diet.
Best Dog Food for Allergies & Sensitivities
Whether your dog has a skin allergy or a sensitive stomach, Mounds Pet Food Warehouse has the high-quality, power-packed dog food your best friend needs to feel like themself again.
Plus, if you’re doing a diet trial, Mounds has a wide variety of grain-free, poultry-free, and other specialized pet food that your dog will love.
Not convinced? Just look at these success stories!
