Dog Skin Allergies and Conditions

Inside This Article

• Dog Skin Allergies and Their Causes
• Is It an Allergy — Or Something Else?
• Other Types of Dog Skin Allergies
• Non-Allergy Based Skin Conditions in Dogs 
• Dog Skin Allergies Treatments

Identifying and treating skin allergies and conditions in dogs is essential for their comfort and health. Learn the steps to accurately diagnose these issues, understand the differences among various skin conditions, explore treatment options, and consider the benefits of hypoallergenic diets with guidance from Dr. Judy Morgan, an expert in veterinary medicine.

Dog Skin Allergies and Their Causes

Pruritus is the medical term for severe itching of the skin. It’s the generic name for the wide variety of dog skin disorders that cause your pet to lick, scratch, or bite to try to stop the itch. A number of conditions, from atopic dermatitis to hormone-related issues, can prompt these conditions. To sort them out, we looked to a vet with years of experience.

Dr. Judy Morgan is an author, speaker, and holistic veterinarian. Based in New Jersey, Dr. Morgan currently operates two veterinary hospitals, is an active speaker and blogs and writes daily. She has published three books on holistic pet care and feeding, and her social media sites reach millions of pet owners worldwide. She is Chief Veterinary Medical Officer for Monkey’s House Senior Dog Hospice and works with rescue groups for homeless dogs.

Your dog’s skin is in perfect condition when it’s soft and smooth and not flaky, red, bumpy, or oozing. It shouldn’t be too oily or dry to your touch, and there shouldn’t be any bald spots. But you’ll usually know before you even check that something’s amiss because your dog can’t stop worrying about his or her skin.

Before you begin trying to relieve your dog’s discomfort, it’s important to understand the different forms of skin allergies and conditions so you and your vet can take the best course of action.

Atopic Dermatitis: What Is It, and How Does It Develop?

When it comes to causing allergic reactions in dogs, a number of factors can be culprits — from fleas to atopic dermatitis. When it comes to typical triggers of dogs’ skin problems, Dr. Morgan notes that one common cause is “atopy or inhaled allergens.” However, she notes, “Diet also plays a major role.”

Like people, canines manifest atopic allergic symptoms when their immune systems begin to recognize certain everyday inhaled substances as dangerous. Atopy reactions usually occur within 30 minutes of contact with the allergen, and always within 12 hours. Atopy is about reacting to inhaled particles, such as airborne pollens from plants and grasses, weed and trees, mold spores, and, in some cases, animal dander. Atopy is usually seasonal, with the worst symptoms occurring in the spring and summer. However, if you live in warm, humid areas like Florida or Hawaii, the problem can be year-round.

Think skin allergies in dogs are pretty uncommon? That’s unfortunately not the case. It’s hard to see your dog suffer, and the secondary manifestations of skin lesions, infections, and hair loss can be alarming. In addition, the constant scratching can be a source of irritation for pet owners. In fact, skin allergies are the most common reason people take their canine companions to the vet for consultations, according to Nationwide Pet Insurance. If susceptible, dogs usually show allergy symptoms as early as 3 months and up until around age 6. Atopic dermatitis can be mild at younger ages, so it may not become apparent or a real problem until your dog is 3 years old. Symptoms are usually skin related — itching, scratching, and rashes — but depending on the trigger, they can also manifest as “hay fever” symptoms like watery eyes and sneezing.

Preparing For Your Vet Visit

Accurate diagnosis of an allergy in your dog requires a comprehensive exam by your vet. To make the most of your visit, take some time to prepare and have answers for the questions your vet will likely ask:

Your veterinarian should be able to make a diagnosis more easily using your answers. But the appearance of your dog’s skin is where the exam will begin.

What Dog Skin Allergies Look Like

Not everything that manifests on your dog’s skin is allergy-related. Itchy skin can also be caused by dandruff, fleas, parasites, mites, plain old dry skin — or no reason at all. Some dogs scratch themselves “just because.” But consider these signs to watch for:

• Inflammation
• Rashes
• Dry or flaky skin
• Redness or discoloration
• Lesions or scabs
• Scaly patches
• Bald patches
• Swelling or lumps
• Hot spots (areas where itching is particularly intense)

Even if your canine companion has some of these symptoms, it may not be an allergy you’re looking at. Some skin conditions mimic allergies.

Is It an Allergy — Or Something Else?

Here’s an example of a condition that mimics allergies: a yeast infection found on the skin and ears of dogs caused by Malassezia pachydermatitis. Though it’s completely normal for canines to have this type of yeast, an overgrowth can cause dermatitis or skin inflammation. The reasons for the condition aren’t known. The symptoms look like typical atopic allergies, but the cause and treatment is very different.

So how does your veterinarian make an exact diagnosis of the cause of your dog’s torment? There are three common processes:

• Intradermal Allergy Testing: Your dog will be sedated for this procedure. After hair has been clipped on one side of your pet’s body, your vet will give minute injections of allergens, usually 60, on one side of your pet’s body. While considered the state-of-the-art in diagnosis for pet allergies, it can be less than 100 percent reliable both when reactions are not strong and since there is some subjective interpretation involved.
• Blood Allergy Testing: This test attempts to measure antibody levels your pet has formed against particular allergens. There is some debate about blood testing reliability since the affected organ is not what’s being tested for a reaction. Depending on the lab used, results may not agree.

Neither intradermal or blood allergy testing can determine food allergies. “People need to understand that the only way to really know for sure if there is an allergy is to feed something and see how the pet reacts,” Dr. Morgan notes. The way to do that is a food trial or elimination diet.

• Elimination Diets and Food Trials: This entails feeding your dog novel sources — a protein and carbohydrate that your pet has never eaten before — to see which foods cause an allergic reaction. It can help identify food sensitivities.

Dr. Morgan takes a thoughtful approach: “I usually start with a novel protein like rabbit or fish, something the pet has not eaten in the past,” she explains. “I do not worry about having a balanced diet while going through the trial. I generally pick one protein source and one vegetable source (like kale or butternut squash), eliminating starches, and feed that for 4 weeks, minimum. If the pet is responding well, then I start adding in one new thing per week, like eggs or turkey, to see if the pet reacts. Once the system has been ‘cleaned,’ reactions will occur pretty quickly, usually within 24 to 48 hours.”

Based on one, two, or all of these diagnostic processes, you’ll be closer to knowing what you’re dealing with and how to treat it.

 

Other Types of Dog Skin Allergies
Not all dog allergies are atopic, although atopic disorders are inherently allergic. Dogs prone to allergies, especially purebreds, may suffer from various types including pest bites and medication reactions.

External Parasites

External parasites are common triggers of allergic reactions in dogs:

• Fleas: Flea allergy dermatitis, caused by flea saliva, can provoke severe reactions and carry diseases like tapeworms and Bartonella.
• Ticks: These blood-sucking parasites attach deeply and are visible when engorged. They are known carriers of diseases and should be removed promptly.
• Lice: Less common but potentially severe, lice can cause itching, pain, and hair loss. Effective removal involves using flea combs and maintaining clean bedding.
• Mites: Responsible for sarcoptic and demodectic mange, mites cause intense itching, red skin, and hair loss.
• Ringworm: A contagious fungus causing circular, scaly patches and hair loss, particularly in young dogs.

Drug Allergies

Reactions to medications, such as penicillin or NSAIDs, can lead to cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADR), ranging from blisters to severe itching. Diagnosis depends heavily on the pet’s medical history, and treatment varies based on the reaction severity.

This condition occurs from direct contact with irritants or allergens:

• Allergic Dermatitis: Develops over time from repeated exposure to allergens like flea collars, shampoos, or plastics.
• Irritant Dermatitis: Occurs immediately upon contact with harsh substances like detergents or road salt. Prevention involves avoiding exposure to known irritants.

Dry Skin Environmental Factors

Dry, flaky skin can result from over-bathing, low humidity, or overheated environments. Remedies include using moisturizing shampoos, increasing water intake, and using humidifiers to adjust the humidity level at home.

 

Other Non-Allergy Based Skin Conditions in Dogs 

Dogs may experience a number of other skin problems that look like allergies. Only your doctor will be able to tell you if they are the reason for your dog’s discomfort. Consider these examples:

• Hormone Responsive Dermatosis and Alopecia in Dogs: Dermatosis (diseases affecting the skin that cause inflammation and itching) and alopecia (hair loss) can be related to an imbalance of reproductive hormones. Various reasons could cause your dog to have these types of reactions, but if tests and indications point to reproductive hormone imbalance, your vet will try supplemental therapy to either raise or lower hormones to achieve a normal level. If your dog is on estrogen therapy, and the results are adverse to the health of your dog, your veterinarian will discontinue it. Dermatosis and alopecia are confirmed when the conditions resolve based on hormone therapy. Another approach is neutering or spaying, which may be sufficient to resolve the skin disorders. Your veterinarian will prescribe prescription shampoo for dandruff and topical medicines for the treatment or prevention of bacterial skin infections and itching.
• Bacterial Infections: Pyoderma is the medical term for bacterial infection of the skin. It can cause redness and rashes, itchiness, crusts, pustules, and even hair loss at the infection site. Once the natural defenses of your dog’s skin break down, opportunistic bacteria proliferate. Yeast and fungal organisms can also establish their own infections when the skin’s defenses have broken down. Any interruption to the immune system’s ability can lead to pyoderma, including damage to the skin because of different kinds of allergies, irritants, and/or autoimmune disease. Treatment is usually multi-faceted because of the nature of the disease and needs to be directed by your vet

 

Dog Skin Allergies

Now that you know the basics of diagnosis, types, and causes of skin allergies and conditions, let’s consider treatments for the main problem areas for dog skin allergies:

Key Environmental Allergy Treatments
Atopic dermatitis can be treated in many different ways. Limiting your dog’s exposure to his allergens is ideal, but may not be feasible — after all, moving may not be possible! Here are some therapies for specific ailments:

1. Flea Control: Use a variety of flea-killing methods, such as topical applications, oral medications, and specially formulated shampoos, especially if your pet spends a lot of time outdoors.

2. Plant Allergens: Avoid plants like Euphorbia and the Gas Plant that can cause contact or atopic allergies. For more on safe gardening, check out Allergy-Free Gardening.

3. Immunotherapy: Also known as hyposensitization, this involves administering allergen-based injections to help your dog develop tolerance, reducing sensitivity over time.

4. Anti-Inflammatory Medications: Utilize steroids and newer non-steroidal drugs to manage symptoms. Antihistamines and fatty acid supplements can also be beneficial, especially for less severe cases.

5. Topical Therapy: Regularly bathe your dog with medicated shampoos and conditioners to remove allergens and soothe the skin. Use lukewarm water to help reduce itching.

6. Antibacterial and Antifungal Treatment: Address recurrent bacterial and yeast infections with appropriate medications and topical treatments, such as antibacterial and antifungal shampoos.

Many dog skin allergies and conditions take a long time to heal. Be patient, follow the doctor’s orders, and take steps to improve your dog’s diet to support immunity and overall good health.

Key Treatment for Skin Allergies

Dr. Morgan provides valuable advice on selecting the most suitable diet for dogs with skin allergies and other related conditions. She advocates for hypoallergenic diets or those using novel proteins. Dr. Morgan expresses her reservations about hydrolyzed protein diets, stating, "I do not like the hydrolyzed protein diets, as I find them to be effective less than 50 percent of the time. Many people think they have higher effectiveness, but they are commonly using them along with steroids, antihistamines, or other immunosuppressive drugs (cyclosporine, Apoquel), so the food probably is not as effective as they might believe."

She also suggests a more effective approach for those seeking faster relief: "For people wanting a faster route, I point them toward home-cooked or raw diets with minimal ingredients using novel protein. I have never been able to find a kibble product that works well for this; they simply have too many ingredients." Dr. Morgan cites studies indicating significant contamination issues with 'limited ingredient' kibbles, "There were four studies done a few years ago that showed 80 percent of 'limited ingredient' kibbles (prescription and over-the-counter) were contaminated with proteins that were not listed on the label. Therefore, it is almost impossible to use this as a test."

Implementing Hypoallergenic Diets

Following Dr. Morgan's expert advice, here are practical steps for implementing hypoallergenic dog diets:

• Avoid Common Food Allergens: Carefully read labels to ensure the diet does not contain typical allergens. Adjust the diet by periodically changing the proteins to see what works best for your dog.
• No Chemicals or Preservatives: Opt for diets that prioritize high-quality, natural ingredients without industrial additives.
• Strengthen the Immune System: A diet rich in natural nutrients can bolster your dog’s immune defenses, helping to ward off allergies and other conditions.
• Natural/Ancestral Dietary Approaches: Consider diets that align with dogs' historical dietary patterns—primarily those high in meat and balanced fats, similar to what their ancestors would have eaten.
• Single Meat Source: Simplify your dog’s diet by focusing on a single source of meat protein to help identify and eliminate allergens effectively.

Dr. Morgan’s experience and research underscore the importance of a carefully chosen diet to manage and alleviate the symptoms of allergies in dogs. By adhering to these guidelines and considering the role of diet in overall health, pet owners can significantly improve their dogs' quality of life.

Darwin’s Can Help You Stop the Itch and Other Dog Skin Issues

Robust and natural nutrition can build immunity, support skin health, and relieve your dog’s suffering. If you’re looking for guidance on the best hypoallergenic food for your special friend, get a free menu consultation from a Darwin’s expert by calling 877-738-6325 or emailing us with your questions. When it comes to allergies and intolerances, the right food can make all the difference.

 

Conclusion
In conclusion, managing dog allergies—whether they stem from a food allergy, environmental allergens, or seasonal allergies—requires diligence and a deep understanding of the symptoms and triggers. Regular allergy tests and monitoring for signs like excessive scratching and skin infections can help identify the correct dog health strategy. Addressing dog food sensitivities, skin problems, and secondary infections early with the appropriate emergency care and pet care tips can alleviate your dog's discomfort and prevent severe skin allergies from worsening. Always consult your veterinarian for accurate patient information and tailored advice, ensuring that your beloved pet receives the best possible care for their specific conditions. Remember, each dog is unique, and their food sensitivity, exposure to environmental allergies, and overall health need personalized attention to maintain a happy, healthy life.