Every year, as the weather warms, you see the tell-tale signs: relentless paw licking, head shaking, and that frustrating, constant scratching. If you have an itchy dog, you know that seasonal allergies are more than just an inconvenience and they can significantly impact your dog’s quality of life.
We caught up with Veterinary Dermatologist Dr Alex Moore to tackle the questions pet parents have, breaking down how to tell the difference between environmental, food, and flea allergies, and sharing the gold-standard methods for keeping your dog comfortable year-round.
Q: What exactly are canine allergies, and how do we differentiate between environmental allergies (like seasonal pollen) and other common types, such as food or flea allergies?
A: Canine allergies are allergic reactions that are caused by various substances. Allergies that affect the skin are referred to as 'allergic dermatitis'.
Canine allergic dermatitis is a hereditary, usually itchy and inflammatory disorder that involves overstimulation of the immune system to certain allergens, a defective skin barrier and an imbalance in skin microbial populations.
The type of allergy (flea, food or environmental) the dog has is investigated in a step-wise fashion:
1. Is the dog’s flea, tick and mite prevention current.
If so, we can almost definitively exclude flea allergy dermatitis. Some oral and topical flea and tick preventatives are more effective than others, so your dog’s veterinarian may recommend a specific product for your dog if they have skin issues.
2. Has the dog completed an elimination diet trial.
This involves feeding a single, novel protein diet for a minimum of 8 weeks, then performing a diet rechallenge using the dog’s previous diet. A food allergic dog will flare with itch, inflammation, skin and/or ear infections when a new food group is introduced. In dogs, the most common food allergies are:
Chicken
Beef
Lamb
Wheat
Soy
Dairy
3. By process of elimination, if the dog is not flea or food allergic, the cause of the itch is atopic dermatitis (environmental allergies). Common environmental triggers include grasses, weeds, tree pollens, dust mites, mould spores and insects. A veterinary dermatologist can help to identify the causative environmental allergens to which the dog is allergic, and may recommend immunotherapy (allergen desensitisation).
Q: Why is spring the peak season for an allergy flare-up in dogs?
A: The pollen count is higher! Flowers are blooming, grasses and weeds are growing, the humidity is increasing and the temperature is warming up. Spring is a beautiful time of the year but can be quite problematic for allergic pets. Spring is also a very busy time for veterinary dermatologists!
Q: Are certain breeds more genetically predisposed to developing these seasonal or environmental allergies, and if so, why?
A: Yes; allergic dermatitis is a hereditary (inherited) condition. Some dog breeds are genetically predisposed to skin allergies due to inheritance of certain genes. These genes differ between affected breeds and are passed down through generations. This is one of the reasons why itchy dogs are so common nowadays.
Q: What are the most common signs of seasonal allergies that pet parents should be looking out for?
A: The most common sign of seasonal allergies is itch, which usually starts with the onset of Spring. Seasonally allergic dogs flare predictably as the weather changes. With the help of a veterinary dermatologist, the pet’s symptoms can be proactively managed ahead of time to help prevent seasonal allergic flares.
Q: How can a pet parent tell the difference between a simple itch, an allergy flare, and other skin problems like a yeast infection, hot spots, or a parasitic infestation like fleas or mites?
A: You can’t really, but this is where a veterinary dermatologist can help. A thorough physical exam including cytology (looking at skin samples under the microscope) is needed to differentiate the above conditions. The treatment for each differs too, so recognising what the primary driver of the dog’s symptoms are is integral to successful allergy management.
Q: How do veterinarians diagnose seasonal allergies in dogs, and when might a vet recommend a referral to a specialist?
A: Atopic dermatitis (environmental allergies) can be seasonal or non-seasonal (year-round). This is diagnosed by process of elimination, once flea and food allergies have been ruled out.
Referral to a veterinary dermatologist may be recommended by your dog’s GP veterinarians for intradermal (skin prick) and blood allergy testing prior to commencing immunotherapy (allergy shots) to address the underlying cause of the itch.
The goal of immunotherapy is to modify the dog’s immune response, minimise their reliance on anti-itch medications, decrease the incidence of secondary skin or ear infections and prevent allergic flares. This means less medications for your dog.
Q: Can you explain the accuracy and process of allergy testing (like intradermal or blood tests)? Are they always necessary?
A: Once a dog has been diagnosed with environmental allergies, allergy testing and subsequent immunotherapy is usually recommended. The success rate in dogs, cats and horses is ~70% which aligns with human medicine (~80%). Immunotherapy is the only management strategy that identifies and addresses the primary cause of the itch. Medications simply mask the symptoms of allergy. (Think about taking an antihistamine or steroid nasal spray every day for the rest of your life!).
Q: When a dog is itchy, many pet owners immediately suspect food. How common are food allergies in dogs compared to environmental ones, and what are the tell-tale signs of a food allergy?
A: Statistically, cutaneous food allergies are not as common as environmental allergies in dogs. The symptoms of food allergies and environmental allergies are unfortunately extremely similar. A red flag for me is an extremely young puppy presents with severe dermatitis and itching (eg. less than 6 months old). This is very suggestive of a food allergy and a novel protein diet should be started. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, mucus in the stools, failure to put on/maintain weight can be other symptoms of food allergies. A veterinarian can help differentiate true food allergies from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and other gastrointestinal disorders in dogs.
Q: We often hear about novel protein or single protein diets for dogs with allergies. Can these diets help with environmental allergies, or are they specifically for diagnosing and managing food related sensitivities?
A: Novel protein diets are indicated when prescribing an elimination diet for allergy work up. Single protein diets are useful thereafter once various food allergies have been diagnosed. These diets can be extremely beneficial for those dogs who have both food and environmental allergies.
Q: We also hear pet parents mention that starch in diets causes yeast infections in dogs. Is there truth to this?
A: No. Malassezia (yeast) is a commensal microbe found in low numbers on the skin of healthy dogs. Malassezia dermatitis occurs when yeast numbers increase and cause secondary infection. This usually results from an allergic flare, due to a lapse in topical/oral allergy medications or a change in environment.
Q: If a food elimination trial is needed, what is the best way for pet owners to approach it, and how long does it take to see results?
A: My tips are to:
Speak to your veterinarian and prepare ahead of time for the consultation. Write down a list of all the different protein types your pet has eaten (including treats and snacks). This will help you and your veterinarian identify a suitable novel protein for the elimination diet.
Diet trials take time to work. A reduction in itching and improvement in skin quality is not expected until after week 6.
Consider the right time to commence a diet trial for your dog and avoid times when you are away on holidays or have visitors in the house as this will make it difficult.
Educate everyone in the household: this diet must be strictly adhered to, so everyone has to be on board.
Weigh your pet every 1-2 weeks to ensure they are not losing or gaining weight on the new diet. (losing weight is more common)
Switch to a spot-on flea, tick and mite preventative as most oral chews contain flavours derived from animal proteins that could interact with the results of the trial.
Q: What are the gold-standard treatment options for managing seasonal allergies today, including both acute flare-ups and long-term control strategies?
A: Gold standard allergy management involves a holistic, multimodal approach. A combination of anti-itch medications, topical products such as shampoos, lotions and creams, diets that support the skin barrier and, in many cases, immunotherapy are prescribed.
Acute allergy flares can be managed using oral and/or topical therapies, depending on the severity of your dog's symptoms. Topical anti-inflammatories, shampoos and antihistamines are effective for mild cases. More severe flares may require oral medications and/or antibiotics - speak to your veterinarian about this.
Long term allergy control involves identifying the underlying trigger/s, avoiding these triggers where possible and minimising allergic flares. Improving the dog's skin barrier and overall skin health is important as a defective barrier contributes to red, itchy skin and secondary infections. Allergen specific immunotherapy is a long term strategy for allergic individuals that your dog's dermatologist may recommend.
Q: Are canine allergies curable, or is the goal to establish lifelong, effective management?
A: Sadly, no allergy is curable. We can successfully manage the symptoms of canine allergies very effectively using a variety of medications, however, the closest ‘treatment’ we have is immunotherapy. This aims to modify the immune system’s response to harmless environmental allergens and reduces itch, inflammation and secondary skin and ear infections.
Q: How important is topical therapy, such as medicated shampoos and specialised conditioners, in an overall allergy management plan?
A: Extremely important! I love topical therapies.
Shampoos are used to cleanse the skin by removing crusts, scale (dandruff), dirt and debris. Oatmeal shampoos and conditioners help to moisturise and soothe dry skin, prevent dandruff and promote a shiny, healthy haircoat. Topical fatty acids aid in repairing the skin barrier function, helping to reduce infections and allergic flares.
Q: Why is year-round, consistent flea and parasite control so critical, even for a dog diagnosed with environmental allergies?
A: Think of an allergic dog’s seasonal allergies like a snowball rolling down a hill; the snowball increases in size and gains momentum as it rolls, gaining speed and power.
Environmental allergies behave similarly; once an allergic pet is flaring, it can be difficult to get the dog's symptoms stable again. Flea saliva contains certain proteins that can stimulate an inflammatory response after only a couple of bites, especially during Spring when the immune system is already primed. Prevention is better than cure!
Q: What simple at-home measures can pet parents take to physically reduce the allergens their dog is exposed to, especially after a walk?
A: I recommend weekly bathing to rinse allergens from the haircoat. A wet wipe such as a gentle baby wipe or wet cloth is useful after a walk and for time-poor owners who cannot regularly bathe their dog. Wiping helps to reduce the allergen load on the skin – focus on the paws and other problem areas.
Q: There are countless supplements (like fish oils, probiotics, and specific fatty acids) marketed for canine skin health. In your expert opinion, what role do these supplements play in managing allergies, and which ones have the best evidence to support their use?
A: Supplements play a really important role, but the amount of products available can be really confusing for pet owners. Supplements should be part of every allergic dog’s allergy management plan.
Fatty acids such as fish oils and evening primrose oil support the skin barrier and improve overall skin and haircoat health. Fatty acids are also great for their general anti-inflammatory properties and are beneficial for dogs with joint issues or arthritis.
Probiotics help to establish the gut microbiome (good and bad bacteria) and can be useful for dogs with sensitive stomachs and those prone to diarrhoea.
Diets formulated to support skin health are recommended. These include single protein diets and hypoallergenic diets. Commercial diets are nutritionally balanced so rest assured your pet is not missing out on any important nutrients, vitamins or minerals that could make them susceptible to malnourishment and weight loss.
Q: How often should items like dog bedding, soft toys, and even soft furnishings (where the dog rests) be washed to help manage allergies?
A: Weekly! Hot wash, long cycle with antiseptic laundry rinse.
Q: On high-pollen days, is it truly beneficial to limit a dog's time outdoors?
A: Unfortunately it's not so simple. Most allergens, including pollen, are airborne and can travel up to 10-15km. Eliminating exposure to allergens and pollen is not possible, nor feasible, so bathing and wiping is integral.
Q: What specific warning signs should prompt a pet parent to call their regular vet immediately, and when is it time to ask for a referral to a specialist like a Veterinary Dermatologist?
A: Constant, relentless itching (biting, scratching, licking, rubbing etc.) requires veterinary intervention. Severely itchy dogs are unable to sleep properly, eat, play or walk without stopping to itch. This can impact the dog’s quality of life and so veterinary advice is needed.
A veterinary dermatologist is indicated for those more challenging cases; chronic cases, recurrent or refractory cases or when pet parents want answers to their dogs itching (rather than just medications). Dermatologists are specialists and have spent many additional years training to be able to recognise, diagnose and manage an array of dermatological conditions in cats and dogs to provide the best patient outcome.
Hives can be a symptom of any allergy, however, these usually occur following an insect bite or sting, such as a bee or wasp. Prompt veterinary care should be sought if there are stinging insects around as some dogs can be allergic to these insects and suffer severe reactions.
Q: What should pet owners bring and what can they expect during a comprehensive first consultation with a vet dermatologist?
A: An initial dermatology consultation generally lasts for one hour and involves the dermatologist obtaining an in-depth understanding of your dog’s medical history. A physical exam including skin and ear cytology as well as skin scrapes are performed. A tailor-made management plan for your pet is then discussed with you as well as various treatment options.
What to bring and tips on how to prepare for your pet’s dermatology appointment:
Your dog’s current medications, including shampoos, ear drops, supplements etc. (photos are helpful!)
A list of all the foods (proteins) your dog has eaten as well as their current diet (brand name and flavour)
Your dog’s flea/tick/mite prevention; is this current?
Your dog’s medical records from their GP veterinarian (or, ensure the dermatologist has access to these notes beforehand).
Your pet insurance policy details.
If applicable, remember to administer your dog’s prescribed anti-anxiety medications prior to their consultation. This will help to facilitate procedures such as blood tests, and ear exams etc., making the vet visit much less stressful for your dog. Check whether your dog requires overnight fasting prior to the appointment. (most clinics will advise of this beforehand).
We’ve chosen some the most talked about topics to dip our paws into and offer an informed perspective. See below for a quick 3-5 minute read.
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