Allergies in canines are fairly common and many dogs will experience allergic reactions at some point in their lives. These reactions are usually displayed in skin conditions and may be caused by many of the same allergens as seen in humans such as flea bites, dust and dust mites, trees, grasses, pollens, dairy products, foods and additives and certain materials.

Exposure to these allergens cause the immune system to react by producing the disease fighting lgE proteins which fight disease in the animal’s skin while releasing chemicals which result in the irritating symptoms of allergies which may include scratching, hair loss, and ear infections. The symptoms are the same for reactions to foods, airborne allergens and bites. Dogs will often scratch until the area is raw and exposed and can lead to bacterial infections on top of the allergic reactions.

Canine allergies generally develop between the ages of one and three and can become more severe as they age. The allergic response to something may also be passed along to offspring as inherited allergies. Inherited allergies are more often seen in breeds such as English Bulldogs, Setters, Pugs, and Terriers.

Diagnosis of an allergy is usually done through skin or blood testing and the elimination of suspected allergens from the environment to determine the exact allergen. Once it has been identified, it is important to keep the dog away from the allergen as much as possible. Short term treatment of the symptoms in the form of anti-histamines can help to keep the animal comfortable if avoiding the allergens completely is not possible.