5 TYPES OF DOG ALLERGIES

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annette June 24, 2020

Dogs often manifest their allergies dermatologicallly – with skin rashes and irritations that
often prompt chronic chewing, licking or scratching, or hair loss.

In humans’ allergic reactions are usually expressed with nasal, or respiratory problems,
such as a runny nose, sneezing, and wheezing. Dogs, on the other hand, often manifest
their allergies dermatologically – with skin rashes and irritations that often prompt chronic
chewing, licking or scratching, or hair loss. Chronic ear infections, runny eyes, and
digestive problems such as vomiting and diarrhea are also symptoms of allergies.

When treating allergies, the first step should be to rule out other possible underlying
causes. Your veterinarian should check for skin disorders such as mange or metabolic
diseases such as hypothyroidism. These disorders produce symptoms similar to allergies.

In the allergic state, a dog’s immune system “overreacts” to foreign substances (allergens or
antigens) to which it is exposed. Typically, there are five types of allergies in dogs: flea,
bacterial, inhalant, food, and contact. Each of these has some unique features and
common expressions in dogs.
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1. Flea allergies are very common in dogs. Normally dogs will experience only minor
irritation in response to flea bites. A dog who is flea allergic will have severe, itch-
producing reactions when the flea’s saliva is deposited in the skin. It is not the flea, but the
protein in the flea’s saliva, that triggers an allergic reaction. Just one bite will cause intense
itching and the dog may severely scratch or chew itself, removing large amounts of hair.
Often the itching will cause open sores or scabs on the skin, allowing for a secondary
bacterial infection to set in. The most common area involved is over the rump, just in front
of the tail.

Strict flea control is the most important practice to help combat flea allergies.
Unfortunately, this is not always easy in warm and humid climates, where a new
population of fleas can hatch out every 14-21 days. When strict flea control is difficult,
corticosteroids can be used to block the allergic reaction and give some relief to symptoms
such as inflammation and itching. Depending on the dose given, the long-term use of
steroids can cause serious health problems. If a secondary bacterial infection occurs,
treatment must include appropriate antibiotics.

Adding freshly grated garlic in small quantities to your dog’s food can help repel fleas by
making the animal taste unpleasant to fleas. One vet suggests one crushed clove of garlic
(not a whole bulb, clove is one chamber) per every 30 pounds. Some holistic health
practitioners recommend heating the garlic for easier digestion and not to give your dog
garlic every day.

2. Bacterial Allergy: Staphylococcus (Staph) is a bacterium found on normal dog skin. If

the dog’s immune system is normal and there is no problem with his skin, the Staph causes
no problems to its host. Unfortunately, some dogs develop an allergy to this bacterium.
When this occurs, a dog will develop areas of hair loss that look very similar to ringworm.
The patches are often ½ to 2 inches in diameter. These same lesions develop in true Staph
infections and are easily treated with certain antibiotics. In a Staph-allergic dog, the
infections are recurrent. The lesions usually clear when treated with antibiotics but soon
return when the antibiotics are discontinued. After a while, some dogs become resistant to
treatment with antibiotics.

3. Inhalant allergies are the most common types of allergies in dogs. Dogs may be allergic
to all of the same inhaled allergens that affect humans. These allergens include tree
pollens, weed pollens, grass pollens, molds, mildew, and house dust mites. Many of these
are seasonal allergies, such as ragweed, cedar, and grass pollens. Other types of allergens
are constant, such as molds, mildew, and dust mites. The most common reaction in dogs
suffering from inhalant allergies is severe, generalized itching.

4. Food allergies usually develop in dogs to food products they have eaten for a long time.
The allergy usually occurs as a response to the protein component of the food; for example,
beef, chicken, pork, or turkey. A food allergy can produce itching, digestive disorders, and
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respiratory distress. Food testing is done with a special hypoallergenic diet that is fed to
the dog exclusively for 8-12 weeks.

5. Contact allergies are the least common of the five types of allergies. They result in a
local reaction of the skin. Examples of contact allergies include reactions to flea collars or
to types of bedding such as wool. The allergen causes skin irritation and itching at the
point of contact. Removing the contact irritant eliminates the problem.

Apple cider vinegar can be used in a number of ways to help treat allergies. Use apple
cider vinegar as a pet bath to treat skin irritation and fleas. After washing your pet with a
mild shampoo, rinse with equal parts apple cider vinegar and water. When finished rinse
off with cool water and repeat the bath as needed to treat fleas and skin allergies. Using a
plastic spray bottle, mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and freshwater. Spray your dog
daily to treat fleas, heal hot spots, stop itching, and increase the health and luster of your
dog’s coat. Adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to your dog’s water or food daily can
also help treat allergic conditions.

Many dogs with skin allergies are helped considerably by frequent bathing with a
hypoallergenic shampoo. Some allergens may be absorbed through the skin. Frequent
bathing helps reduce the amount of antigen exposed through this route. In addition to
removing surface antigen, bathing will give temporary relief from itching and might reduce
the dose of steroids needed to control symptoms.

Check your dog food ingredients? If it has grain, find a dog food that has no grain. This
may solve all your problems. Or, you can check out this dog food diet.

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