Some dogs can be allergic to mosquitoes. However, it’s not always easy to know if this is what your dog is allergic to or not.

Mosquito bites on a dog generally look like lots of other insect bites. They may appear as a tiny bump. The bite may or may not get any larger. It may linger for a day or for several days.

However, if your dog is allergic to mosquito bites you can expect your dog to itch, to scratch at the bite, and even to bite at the spot, perhaps until it bleeds. The bites will usually look like lumps or welts if there is an allergic reaction.

To make a definite diagnosis of a mosquito allergy you need to take your dog to a veterinarian. There are several ways your vet can test to find out if your dog has an actual allergy. The most definitive way is by doing a blood test and sending it to a lab where they can match your dog’s blood to find out what he’s allergic to. This will give you a precise answer so you’ll know if your dog is really allergic to mosquitoes.

If you live in an area where mosquitoes are prevalent you will probably want to take some precautions for your dog. Advantix is available by prescription from your veterinarian. It’s a once-a-month topical to prevent fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. You can also use a flea spray that prevents mosquitoes along with the Advantix.

If your dog is having an allergic reaction to mosquito bites you will probably want to call your veterinarian, especially if this is the first time this has occurred. Your vet will probably advise you to give your dog an allergy medicine such as Benadryl but you will need to talk to your vet to find out the proper dosage for your dog’s weight and age.

If your dog has recurring reactions to mosquito bites your vet may recommend giving your dog a prescription allergy medication on a regular basis.

In addition to the agony of the allergic reaction, mosquito bites are dangerous to your dog because they can carry heartworm disease. It’s very important that you keep your dog protected against heartworm if you live in an area where you encounter mosquitoes. Heartworm disease is now found in all parts of the United States. It can be deadly if left untreated.

Fortunately, most dogs are not allergic to mosquitoes and do not have a strong reaction to an occasional mosquito bite. If your dog does get a mosquito bite you probably won’t even know it. Keep your dog up-to-date on his heartworm medication and you shouldn’t have any problems from mosquitoes.

It also depends a lot on what type of dog allergy your pet is suffering from. If your pet is suffering from seasonal allergies or an allergy caused by a flea bite, then choosing one dog food over another may not do much to relieve the symptoms of those types of allergies.

Choosing a food with ingredients designed for sensitive skin and to promote a healthy coat may help in reducing dry skin and the resulting itching and scratching that can be brought about by allergies.

Now if your dog is suffering from dog food allergies, then obviously the diet you feed her will determine if she will have an allergic reaction or not. We talked about diagnosing food allergy in dogs previously. Using a food trial you will probably know what ingredients are causing the allergic reaction in your dog. Avoid those ingredients and your dog should be fine.

As part of the food trial you probably selected a food with a protein source that your dog never had before. Some like duck, venison, or rabbit would be good. There are several manufacturers producing dog food with those ingredients.

I tried to find foods specifically made to address allergy issues. There were not many that claimed to be made especially for dogs with allergies. However, there was quite a variety of food made with all natural ingredients, limited ingredients, and interesting protein sources like:

• duck
• rabbit
• venison
• buffalo
• lamb
• sweet potato

So, with a small disclaimer…

Disclaimer: The foods below are based on claims by the manufacturers and not by Dog Care Journey.

Here is a small sample of allergy formula dog food.

Anergen™ (Wysong)

Anergen™ is a natural based dog food made from lamb and brown rice. It is a great choice for dogs that need a diet made with limited ingredients. Anergen™ is a healthy alternative for pets with allergy problems.

“…it has served as a lifeline to thousands of pets unable to consume traditional pet foods.” Source

Anergen™ is designed to be fed to either your dog or your cat. It does not have many of the protein sources and other whole ingredients that are common allergens found in other pet foods. Yet, it is nutritionally sound.

Anergen™ does not contain any beef, poultry, beef byproducts, wheat, or dairy products.

To check for price and sizes Click Here.

Natural Balance Potato and Duck Small Bite Dog Food

Natural Balance created the Potato and Duck Formula to help dogs with food allergies.

“Natural Balance Potato and Duck Formula is a proven formula for dogs with allergies based on a unique protein and carbohydrate blend.” Source

The Potato and Duck Formula combines fresh duck, and a source of carbohydrates not commonly found in dog foods, along with other natural ingredients designed to help rebuild your dog’s immune system.

Duck is a protein source not available in typical commercial dog foods, so many dogs have never been exposed to it. This is an important factor when dealing with food allergies.

It is designed to reduce allergy symptoms associated with food allergies. But it also reduces other symptoms such as skin irritations, irritable bowels, and upset stomachs.

The Potato and Duck Formula is made with fresh duck, fresh potatoes, canola oil, and salmon oil. No artificial preservatives, flavors, colors, or bleached ingredients are used.

Natural Balance also produces another variety, the Sweet Potato and Venison Dry Dog Food Formula. It is designed in the same way as the Potato and Duck Formula, but using sweet potatoes and venison instead.

To check for price and sizes Click Here.

Have you tried any of these foods to relieve allergy symptoms in your dogs? What other types of foods have you tried? Please share with us in the comments below.

Dogs and Allergies is a series of articles discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of dog allergies. Go back to the previous article, Dog Allergy Recipes.

Best,

Omar Reyes

For a wide selection of other natural dog foods visit the Cherrybrook dog food section.

To be honest with you, I haven’t tried them on Misha, but I thought I would share them with you anyway.

Recipes for Dog Flea Allergy

Here are a couple options if you’re interested in making your own natural flea repellant. This would be especially useful If your dog has an allergy to flea bites or other insect bites,

Homemade flea powder

Use dried herbs for this recipe.

• 1 cup Wormwood
• 1 cup Fennel
• 1 cup Peppermint
• 1 cup Rosemary
• 1 cup Rue

Mix all the ingredient together in a large bowl and grind. Make sure the mixture is ground into a fine powder, just as you would find in a commercial flea powder.

Sprinkle or shake the powder all over your dog as best as you can. One method that works really well is to buy a salt or pepper shaker, or a shaker that’s designed for powdered sugar.

Give your dog a good coating of the powder and then massage it into the dog’s fur with your hands.

It is best to do this outside since your dog will probably give a good shake when you are through and powder will go flying everywhere .

Pennyroyal flea powder

• 2 tbsp ground Rosemary
• 2 tbsp ground Wormwood
• 4 tbsp powdered Pennyroyal
• 2 tsp cayenne pepper

Mix ingredients together.

Dust this all over your dog and massage the powder into your dog’s fur with your hands. You can use gloves for the job, or make sure to carefully and thoroughly wash your hands after you do this.

Don’t touch your face, or especially your eyes, after using this powder. Be sure to wash your hands as quickly as you can. Remember, the powder contains cayenne pepper. You don’t want to be washing this out of your eyes.

Natural flea wash

• 1 cup fresh or dried rosemary
• 4 cups water

Boil the water.

Add the rosemary to the boiled water. Cover the pot and steep it until it is cool, or at least for an hour. Strain out the rosemary.

Give your dog a bath. If you used shampoo, be sure to rinse it all out.

Pour the rosemary wash all over your dog and allow your dog to air dry. Don’t rinse it out or dry your dog in a way that would remove any of the wash from your dog’s fur. You want it to dry on your dog.

Hot spots

If your dog’s allergies are causing her to scratch and chew at certain areas creating hot spots, you might want a remedy to reduce the itching and discomfort.

Here are some homemade remedies to keep your dog’s skin cool and comfortable.

Thyme Oil

Mix equal amounts of thyme oil and olive oil.

Using a cotton ball, apply the oil all over your dog’s hot spots. Using this will not only make the dog’s skin feel better, but will help to prevent future infections.

You can keep the oil mixture up to a month in the refrigerator.

Dog skin tonic

• 4 tbsp Cod-liver oil
• 2 tbsp Garlic powder
• 2 cups vinegar
• 4 tbsp Bone-meal powder
• 5 tbsp Desiccated liver powder

Mix all the ingredients together.

Add 3 tablespoons of the mixture to your dog’s food daily.

This helps to promote new hair growth and will keep your dog’s skin healthy and without irritation.

Store in the refrigerator or it will go rancid.

So there you have it, a few homemade dog allergy recipes for you to try.

If you have any recipes of your own that you have tried in the past, please fell free to share with us in the comments below. I would love to add your recipe to this page.

Dogs and Allergies is a series of articles discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of dog allergies. Move on the next article, Best Allergy Formula Dog Food, or go back to the previous article, Prevent Dog Allergies.

Best,

Omar Reyes

For additional home remedies to treat dog allergies and other conditions, check out Rover’s Recipes. They have even more helpful recipes for natural dog shampoos and soaps and other helpful ideas. Get your copy at http://dogcarejourney.com/rovers-recipes.

As humans we do what we can to avoid allergies because they can make us so uncomfortable and miserable. If we suffer from seasonal allergies, we keep up with our allergy shots during allergy season, or we stock up on antihistamines and other allergy medications. If we know that coming in contact with certain things can cause a skin irritation, we avoid those items vigilantly. And if we know that eating something will cause an allergic reaction you can bet we won’t be eating that type of food.

We have that luxury, the ability to proactively avoid situations that will cause us suffering and discomfort. However, our dogs are totally dependent on us to look out for their best interest, and to protect them from things that could bring them discomfort and suffering. Dog allergies are no different.

If your pet develops any type of dog allergies, it is very unlikely that it is an isolated incident and it will just go away on its own. In fact, once your dog develops allergies, chances are she will have them for the rest of her life. Remember, allergies cannot be cured, but must be actively managed. So you have to find what works and stick with those treatment methods for the long-term. Even better would be to learn what affects your dog and avoid those items and situations upfront to reduce the chances of any allergic reactions occurring.

Managing your dog’s allergy symptoms as they occur will work to relieve those symptoms, but your dog will still have to suffer through the itching, scratching, and biting while waiting for the treatment to take effect. However, by taking precautionary measures you may be able to prevent dog allergies from occurring in the first place. A change in her environment, or switching food in her diet may help to eliminate the problem that may cause an allergic reaction to develop.

Similarly, if you know your dog is vulnerable to frequent skin irritations like dry, itchy skin then you may want to use a medicated shampoo or some sort of topical cream that will reduce the chances of your dog developing those irritations. Taking an active approach like that will also reduce the effects on the skin should some type of allergy occur.

In my opinion, taking the steps necessary to prevent dog allergies is the responsible thing to do, and is definitely better than trying to treat the symptoms as they occur. Remember that allergies in dogs are a long-term problem that requires a long-term solution.

What Not To Do To Prevent Dog Allergies

While it is important to actively try to avoid situations that can cause allergies in your dogs, we can sometimes go a bit too far and make matters worse. There are some things you might be tempted to do as soon as you believe your dog has allergies. However, you might actually be aggravating the situation and making it more difficult for your dog to live with her allergies.

Frequent Baths

Giving your dog a bath too often can cause additional skin problems. Try to keep baths to once a month if possible. Use cool water instead of warm water. Cool water is more soothing to your dog.

Constant Shampooing

Constant shampooing can dry out your dog’s skin. Many people believe that frequent baths with oatmeal shampoos and other types of bath treatments can help to soothe their dogs allergies, but doing so too often can actually dry out the skin, which can only make things worse.

Avoiding Treatment

Do not leave any suspected dog allergies untreated. It is unfair to your dog, and untreated allergies can lead to serious health problems later on.

So, do what you can to prevent dog allergies, and take steps to relieve any symptoms and discomforts your dog may have if she does develop any type of dog allergies.

Dogs and Allergies is a series of articles discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of dog allergies. Move on to the next article, Dog Allergy Recipes, or go back to the previous article, Remedies For Dog Allergies.

Best,

Omar Reyes

If you have been enjoying this series on dog allergies, consider our free Dog Care Handbook. It contains 52 practical dog care tips. Just enter your name and email in the form below for instant access.

If you decide to take your dog to the vet, they should be able to diagnose your dog’s allergies effectively and will work with you to determine the best course for treating and relieving the symptoms of dog allergies. Your dog may be prescribed medication, and you should follow your veterinarian’s instructions for proper use.

However, there are many other remedies for dog allergies that can help your dog, especially if their symptoms are milder. You will be treating your dog in a more natural way, not to mention the cost savings since those vet bills can add up pretty quickly.

Remedies For Dog Allergies

Here are a variety of natural and common household remedies to help relieve the symptoms of common dog allergies.

Common Sense Remedies

This will work best for dogs with milder allergic reactions. For example, changing your dog’s diet may be a quick solution to a food allergy in dogs. Removing an item from your dog’s environment may relieve a skin allergy. The important thing with common sense remedies is that it is really dependent on how much effort you are willing to put into trying different ideas until you find something that works.

Topical Oils

Oils can used to relieve some of the symptoms of dog skin allergies, like itching and scratching. They are usually in the form of a shampoo or cream. However, they tend to offer only short-term relief, so frequent applications are usually needed to fight the symptoms over the long-term.

One formula that might work to relieve dry, irritated skin is to use 1 part neem oil and 1 part grape seed oil. Mix them together and massage the mixture into your dog’s skin.

Elizabethan Collars

These are those funny, cone shaped collars that are used around a dog’s head. They are great for preventing your dog from biting and chewing itchy areas. Most dogs hate them at first, but they usually come around after a while.

These collars are great for seasonal dog allergies, when scratching and biting can aggravate existing problems. Elizabethan collars are relatively inexpensive and can be reused whenever your dog is suffering from seasonal allergies, or is scratching too much as a result of a skin irritation.

Old Socks and T-Shirts

Like Elizabethan collars, using these items are meant to restrict your dog’s scratching and biting. They can be very effective and are usually less distracting to your dog. However, they have one major disadvantage.

Dogs who really want to scratch will find a way to get rid of the socks or t-shirts. Some dogs will chew the socks right off their feet and then scratch or bite through or under the t-shirt. You know your dog better than anyone, so decide if a pair of socks or a t-shirt would be better than a collar for your dog.

Diet Supplements

Many dog owners add a few things to their dog’s diet to help with her allergies, especially fish oil. Fish oils are believed to soften and moisturize the skin which relieves itching, scratching, and biting. Some dog owners like to give their dogs cod live oil tablets or capsules. Some dogs will chew it up, like a wonderful treat. Others may be more resistant, so you can simply break the capsule open, or crush the tablet, and add it to her food.

Another popular supplement is Biotin. This is a vitamin B supplement that can be added to your dog’s food. It is believed to soothe and heal dry, itchy, and broken skin.

Dog Allergy Medication

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are inexpensive and usually available over-the-counter. Check with your vet for proper dosage for your dog. Unfortunately, many experts estimate that using antihistamines are only effective in about 15 – 30% of dogs suffering from seasonal allergies. So it might not be the most effective method of treating your dog’s allergies.

When they work, they can be good at treating itching, hot spots, inflammation, and eye infections. So it might be worth a try. You can pick up a  bottle at: http://dogcarejourney.com/cb-allergy-tablets.

Steroids

Steroids can be extremely effective in dealing with more several allergic reactions. They can also help in relieving symptoms of dog allergies such as itching and inflammation. However, they have been known to have side effects such as dehydration, diarrhea, and weight loss. So just be aware of the potential side effects. Talk to your vet about any concerns you may have. You will have to visit them for a prescription for steroids anyway.

In the end, it is up to you to decide which one of these remedies for dog allergies you want to try.

Dogs and Allergies is a series of articles discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of dog allergies. Move on the the next article, Prevent Dog Allergies, or go back to the previous article, How to Diagnose a Food Allergy in Dogs.

Best,

Omar Reyes

For additional home remedies to treat dog allergies and other conditions, check out Rover’s Recipes. They have helpful recipes for natural dog shampoos and soaps and other helpful ideas. Get your copy at http://dogcarejourney.com/rovers-recipes.

You can look for certain clues to indicate a possible food allergy. For example, if your dog has been troubled by recurring ear infections, that may be one sign that she could be allergic to something that she is eating. If your dog is relatively young and suffers from moderate to severe skin problems, that could be another clue. And finally, if your dog is suffering from allergies but it is not allergy season, then it could be a sign of food allergies. However, there are more certain steps you can take to diagnose a food allergy.

Diagnosing Food Allergy in Dogs

The diagnosis for a food allergy in dogs is very straightforward, but it is very important that you identify all other potential problems, and treat those first before trying to diagnose food allergies. Once that is done, it is time to move on to testing.

The best way to determine the source of a food allergy is to follow an elimination diet or a food trial. This particular test requires you to eliminate all foods that your dog is currently eating for at least twelve weeks, long enough for the symptoms to go away, and then reintroducing her original food to see if the reaction develops again.

Once you remove the original diet, you would feed your dog a diet containing proteins and carbohydrates from a source she has never had before. For example, you could give her food containing ingredients like duck, rabbit, venison, or potato. These are usually not found in your typical commercial pet food. For your convenience, there are a number of such commercial dog foods available from manufacturers such as Innova dog food. There are also other allergy formula dog food that you can try.

Homemade diets are often used in the food trial since you have greater control over the ingredients used.

No matter which diet you choose to follow for the trial, the important thing to remember is that it must be the only thing your dog eats for the entire twelve weeks. This means no…

• treats
• animal parts (rawhide, pig ears, cow hooves)
• vitamins and supplements
• flavored medications (no heartworm preventatives either)
• toothpaste
• flavored chew toys

Nothing but the chosen diet and water!

Where possible, try to keep the dog confined in an area where you can make sure that she does not accidentally eat something from the garbage or from somewhere else.

After the twelve weeks have passed, your dog’s symptoms should have disappeared, or at least significantly reduced. Now it is time to put her back on the original diet. It may seem a bit unreasonable to deliberately trigger the reactions that made your dog so uncomfortable, but remember, you are trying to determine the source of her allergies so that you can avoid them in the future.

If the symptoms return once she begins her original diet then that is a pretty good sign of a food allergy in dogs.

If there were no changes in her symptoms while she was on her new diet during the food trial, but you still firmly believe that she has a food allergy, then you need to start a new food trial with a different food source. So if you went with rabbit in the first trial, you would try duck this time.

Treating Food Allergy in Dogs

The food trial helped you to determine what ingredients caused an allergic reaction in your dog. But it also served to identify what type of food you can feed your dog to avoid allergies caused by her diet. Once you have determined what your dog can safely eat, stick to that diet until you notice any adverse effects.

Dogs and Allergies is a series of articles discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of dog allergies. Move on to the next article, Remedies for Dog Allergies, or go back to the previous article, Symptoms of Common Dog Food Allergies.

Best,

Omar Reyes

Remember, you can either buy a commercial dog food like Innova, or you can make your own food at home using recipes like those from Rover’s Recipes.

This type of allergy does not discriminate among dogs. They affect both male and female, puppies and seniors, neutered and intact. Food allergies can appear in puppies as young as five months, and in seniors as old as twelve years. Typically, the allergy develops sometime between two and six years. In general, pets who suffer from this allergy also suffer from inhalant allergies, like dust and mold, and from seasonal allergies.

Some allergic reactions related to your dog’s diet are so mild that you may never know your dog has common dog food allergies. Other dogs may suffer from chronic symptoms.

It is not quite understood why some dogs have a sensitivity to certain types of food while others don’t. What is known are some of the triggers of these allergies, the symptoms, how to diagnose it, and what to do about it.

Dog Food Allergies vs Dog Food Intolerance

There is a difference between having an intolerance to certain types of food and having a dog food allergy.

In food intolerance, it is not the food item itself that triggers an allergic reaction. Instead, the body simply cannot process or tolerate that particular food. If your pet has a food intolerance, they will often show signs associated with problems from eating certain foods. For example, they may have diarrhea, or vomiting after eating that particular food item. However, that does not mean that they have a food allergy.

If your pet has a food allergy, she may also have diarrhea and vomiting, but she will usually have some of the other common symptoms of dog allergies such as itching, scratching, and biting.

Causes of Common Dog Food Allergies

Dogs are generally allergic to the proteins present in pet food. The most common triggers are:

• chicken eggs
• chicken
• beef
• wheat
• soy
• corn
• dairy products

Of these, beef and dairy products are the most likely to cause an allergic reaction in your dog.

Unfortunately, most commercial dog foods are made with one or more of these ingredients. This is important because the most common ingredients in pet food are the same ones that are the most common sources of allergies. To avoid this, you may want to try an allergy formula dog food.

Symptoms of Common Dog Food Allergies

The symptoms of food allergies are similar to those that occur in other types of allergies. You will likely notice a variety of signs that can include:

• itchy skin
• excessive scratching
• licking
• hot spots
• anal itching
• face rubbing
• head shaking
• recurring skin infections
• recurring ear infections (especially yeast infections)
• hair loss

You may also notice a combination of any of these other signs:

• diarrhea
• vomiting
• flatulence (passing gas)
• sneezing
• wheezing
• seizures (in severe cases)

Sidenote: Some veterinarians believe that dogs with food allergies may have more daily bowel movements than pets without food allergies. There seems to be some evidence that dogs with food allergies may have three or more daily bowel movements while dogs with no food allergies potty an average of 1.5 times for the day. This is inconclusive however.

Dogs and Allergies is a series of articles discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of dog allergies. Move on to the next article, How to Diagnose a Food Allergy in Dogs, or go back to the previous article, Seasonal Dog Allergies.

Best,

Omar Reyes

For even more information about dog food check out the book: Dog Food Dangers.

Quite interestingly, there seems to be a genetic link to seasonal dog allergies. So, if your dog’s parents suffered from seasonal allergy problems, the chances are greater that your dog will develop this form of allergies as well.

Dogs develop allergies in much the same way as people do. Exposure to certain factors in their environment over a long period of time can cause allergies to develop. But there is just no way to say for certain that a particular dog will develop seasonal allergies. Just like us, veterinarians have no conclusive way to determine which dog will be prone to suffer from allergies.

Signs and Symptoms of Seasonal Dog Allergies

If you see your dog showing any of the following signs of an allergic reaction, chances are that she is suffering from seasonal dog allergies.

• itching
• scratching
• sneezing
• coughing
• wheezing
• other respiratory problems
• watery eyes
• hot spots
• constant licking

These symptoms may be similar to a flea allergy, so an exam by your vet may be necessary to narrow down the root cause of the reaction.

Possible Reasons For Dog Skin Allergies

If you wish, you can do your own little investigation to narrow down the cause of the itching, scratching, and other signs your dog may be showing. For example, if you know that your dog has never had any previous problems with fleas, then you might rule that out in the beginning.

Look at various clues when trying to determine seasonal allergies in dogs.

Your Allergy Problems

Are you currently suffering from seasonal allergies? If it is allergy season and you are experiencing the effects of this uncomfortable season, chances are that your dog will experience these problems too.

What Affects You

If you do have seasonal allergies, think about what it is that you are allergic to. If you know what it is, then it is possible that your dog may be suffering from a similar allergen.

Weather Reports

If you do not suffer from seasonal allergies, then follow your local weather report. These reports will tell you what the current pollen counts are. They will also tell which type of airborne allergen is the highest on any given day. So for example, if ragweed is the highest today, dogs with an allergy to ragweed will show the most symptoms of an allergy. They will also be the most uncomfortable on these days.

When Is Your Dog Affected

Keep track of when your dog is affected the most. On days that your dog’s symptoms are most severe, compare those days to the weather allergy reports and see if there is some connection.

Types of Pollen

Finally, bear in mind that tree pollen causes the most problems in humans and in dogs. Grass pollen can also be a problem through most of the summer months. For some reason, the pollen from flowers does not seem to be much of an issue.

If you want to skip all the detective work, your vet can perform a skin test to confirm the cause of your dog’s discomfort. Remember, though, vet bills can add up pretty quickly.

Dogs and Allergies is a series of articles discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of dog allergies. Move on to the next article, Symptoms of Common Dog Food Allergies, or go back to the previous article, Dog Skin Allergies.

Best,

Omar Reyes

If your dog is suffering from seasonal allergies, considering giving her antihistamine allergy tablets. These work similar to the over-the-counter remedies that we use to relieve allergy symptoms, just that they are made especially for our pets.

Just like humans, your dog’s skin is the largest and one of the most important organs of her body. The skin helps to regulate your dog’s body temperature, helps to prevent the loss of moisture, and keeps away some parasites. Because the skin is so important to your dog’s health, it is important that you understand some of the things that can cause irritations, allergic reactions, and possible infections.

Types of Dog Skin Allergies

Dog Skin Allergies to Fleas and Other Insects

One of the most common dog allergies is a sensitivity to fleas and other insects. It can affect any dog regardless of breed or sex. Flea allergies are most likely to occur during spring and summer, the typical flea season. During these times, the weather usually reaches a warm 80 degrees and stays warm, a prime breeding environment for fleas and mosquitoes. Because it typically occurs only during certain times, it is also considered a seasonal dog allergy.

We talk about flea and insect allergies, but in fact, your dog is actually allergic to one or more of the substances present in the saliva from these insects. Studies have shown that there are at least fifteen different antigens present in flea saliva that can trigger an allergic reaction in your dog.

When the flea, mosquito, or other insect bites your dog, the saliva is injected under your dog’s skin. This can cause an allergic reaction and the skin becomes itchy and inflamed. Itching usually begins immediately after being bitten, and can last long after the fleas have been eliminated. And yes, dogs and mosquitoes can be a potential danger.

Some of the common symptoms of dog allergies from flea bites include:

• itching
• scratching
• biting
• chasing the tail

Problems can occur if you leave a flea or insect allergy untreated. Your dog can really damage her skin. They usually chew and scratch at the irritated areas which can cause the hair to fall out and the skin to become dry and scaly. In some extreme cases, the dog chews and scratches so much, that the skin develops open sores which can become infected. Not good!

If your dog shows signs of a flea or insect allergy and you find fleas on your dog, then she is probably having an allergic reaction to the flea bites. An intradermal skin test can confirm if it is indeed an allergic reaction to flea saliva.

Getting rid of the fleas and controlling the fleas in your dog’s environment will usually take care of the problem. Preventing the flea bites in the first place is key for dogs with flea allergies.

Other Types of Dog Skin Allergies

Like humans, dogs can be allergic to almost anything they come in contact with. There are so many things that can cause a skin irritation to develop. Your dog can be allergic to:

• shampoos
• dog sprays
• dog beds
• carpets
• cats
• other pets

…and the list could on.

If you think your dog might be allergic to something she comes in contact with, the best way to tell is to simply remove that item from your dog’s environment. Of course, it is not always that simple if you think she is allergic to the cat or to your other dog, but you get the point. Try to keep her away from the potential source for a period of time and see if her condition improves. If not, then it is probably not what you thought and you need to keep looking.

Preventing Dog Skin Allergies

One of the best ways to prevent dog skin allergies is to make sure your dog’s skin and coat remain healthy. But maintaining a healthy skin and coat is sometimes not enough. Learning about potential skin irritants and allergens can help you to be more aware of your dog’s environment and can help to prevent dog skin allergies from developing.

Dogs and Allergies is a series of articles discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of dog allergies. Move on to the next article, Seasonal Dog Allergies, or go back to the previous article, How To Identify Allergies in Dogs.

Best,

Omar

Remember, the key to preventing flea allergies is to prevent the flea bites in the first place. For that you will need a good flea and tick treatment.

The only sure way to confirm that your dog has allergies, and to determine what she is allergic to, is to perform an allergy test. There are various tests that can be done to confirm dog allergies.

Types of Allergy Tests To Determine Allergies in Dogs

• blood testing

• intradermal testing

• environmental change

Blood Testing

When performing a blood test, a sample of the dog’s blood is taken. The vet then examines the blood for antigen-induced antibodies that may be present in the dog’s body. There are generally two types of blood tests that are used:

• the RAST (Radioallergosorbent) test
• the ELISA (enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay) test

The RAST Test

In the RAST test, the blood that is drawn is checked for a negative reaction to various allergens like mold, dust, pollen, and other chemicals. The blood may also be tested for a reaction to other allergens such as food, nylon, and some synthetic materials.

The test uses complex analysis so it takes about two weeks to get back the results.

The RAST test is good for diagnosing inhalant allergies in dogs that is usually caused by pollen, dust, or mold. However, it is not a conclusive diagnosis for contact allergies. It also has some drawbacks. Since it is actually designed for humans, it may result in false negatives when used for testing dogs. Because of this, many vets recommend following up with an intradermal skin test.

The ELISA Test

The ELISA test is very similar to the RAST test. The advantage is that many veterinarians agree that this test produces more accurate results.

Intradermal Testing

In intradermal testing, an antigen is injected under the dog’s skin. If the skin becomes red or an irritation develops around the area of the injection, the dog is allergic to that specific antigen. The test is about 75% accurate at identifying allergies in dogs. However, if your dog is being treated with steroids or antihistamines, the results will be inconclusive.

Environmental Change

Environmental change is not really a test, but rather a process of elimination. It involves eliminating things that your dog interacts with in a controlled way to narrow down the cause of an allergy. It is usually trial and error, but can be a good first step to finding the cause of your dog’s allergies.

Identifying and then diagnosing allergies in dogs can be a challenging task. You have to know what to look for, and even then it can be a guessing game to determine the root cause of the allergy and pinpointing the exact type of dog allergy without doing further testing. Although it does take time and effort to identify allergies in dogs, the long-term reward for both you and your dog will be well worth it.

Dogs and Allergies is a series of articles discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of dog allergies. Move on to the next article, Dog Skin Allergies, or go back to the previous article, Symptoms of Dog Allergies.

Best,

Omar Reyes

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