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Noticed a new scratching behaviour in your dog? One of your first thoughts might be that they have an allergy, and you could be right. Thankfully, there’s a lot of easy ways to treat and minimise symptoms of allergies in dogs, from specialist itchy skin dog food to regular flea treatments and proper grooming.
But first things first, what is a skin allergy, and how can you recognise one in your pet?
Allergies in dogs are caused the same way they are in humans – they’re a reaction to an allergen. There are some known common allergens in dogs that are both environmental and dietary, to which some breeds may be more susceptible than others, but it’s also possible to have a unique allergy in an individual dog.
Symptoms of intolerances in dogs aren’t widely documented, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to be done or recognised. Before taking action in any direction, be as sure as possible that you’re treating your pet for the right cause – the last thing you want is for a circus of fleas to completely pass you by because you’ve been focused on your brand of shampoo. Here’s what to look out for when it comes to skin allergies in dogs:
Have you ever tried a new laundry detergent and realised over the next few days that all your clothes are itchy? The same thing can happen for your dog. If you’ve recently tried a new shampoo on them, or even changed your cleaning products around the house, it could be affecting their hair and skin. If this could be the cause, try changing back to your previous products or to something with entirely different ingredients, and see if this reverts your pet’s itchy skin to normal.
This one is particularly relevant if your pet is a young pup who might be experiencing a seasonal change for the first time. If they start itching during spring or stop when you get to autumn, it’s possible your dog is experiencing their own equivalent of hay fever. Whether it’s exposure to pollen or long grass acting as an irritant, consider environmental and seasonal factors that could be causing your pet’s itchy skin.
As a dog owner you might thing fleas are your worst nightmare, but I assure you they’re worse for your dog. Irritating at the best of times, an allergy to fleas and flea bites can make the experience significantly worse for your pooch.
An allergy to fleas is actually an allergy to the saliva in their bites. Like a mosquito bite in humans, this can make them incredibly itchy. A flea allergy will typically present its symptoms around the base of a dog’s tail, so be aware of this possibility if that’s where your pet’s itchiness is tending to reside.
Food allergies can be present in a dog from when they’re a puppy, or they can be developed later in life. This means the exact food allergy can sometimes be more difficult to pinpoint, but there are some easy dietary changes you can make to get your dog’s itchy skin back to normal.
It’s also worth knowing that adverse food reactions are more common in certain breeds: typically, German Shepherds, West Highland White Terriers, Labradors, Cocker Spaniels, and Golden Retrievers. If your dog is one of the above, try switching to a hypoallergenic or itchy skin dog food.
Skin allergies will naturally be easier to spot in some dog than others, due to the severity of the allergy and individual dog. If your dog’s exhibiting new scratching behaviours or you’ve noticed something visible, it could be allergy related. Here are the main signs of allergies to look out for:
Infections are typically picked up from outdoor environments, and are highly unlikely to be picked up from socialisation with other dogs, or something ingestible.
There is, however, a lot of overlap in the symptoms between allergies and infections in dogs – both certainly come with redness and itching, but infections generally have a more extreme look. If the spot your dog keeps itching is smelly, is exuding a thick discharge, or has pus, it’s more likely that you’re looking at an infection.
Even if your dog isn’t currently showing any symptoms of a skin allergy, there’s no harm in avoiding known common triggers, especially if your pet’s known to be a bit more sensitive. Here are some easy measures you can take to
If it’s diet you’re worried about, our hypoallergenic itchy skin dog food range is the perfect thing to feed your pooch. The food in this range focuses on novel ingredients, including the main protein source, to avoid commonly recognised allergens like beef, wheat and dairy.
With minimal ingredients, our food blends make sure your dog isn’t being exposed to anything unnecessary, and prioritises those that are known to be gentler on your pet’s tum and body. It’s the perfect preventative itchy skin dog food.
Clean your house regularly, with special attentiveness to vacuuming and dusting, may well make a difference to your dog’s itchy skin. Just like us, dust is a common agitator for pets!
Try to avoid walks in long grass if you think it’s irritating your pet’s skin, and be extra cautious of high pollen counts if your pet’s itchiness seems to be seasonal, or if they’re already sensitive to dust.
Regularly de-fleaing, bathing, and generally grooming your dog can help keep pests away, but it will also prevent a buildup of dirt in their coat.
As another potential cause of itchiness, it’s important to keep dirt and debris at bay, particularly if your dog is a breed with lots of skin folds, like a pug or shar pei. Regularly cleaning their face folds will help them stay in peak health, and keep infections at bay.
What we do best at Burns is the creation of pet food with valuable nutrition and your pet’s health at the forefront of our minds. We’re always cautious of dietary requirements, including dogs with skin allergies and food sensitivities.
It’s dry food you want – not dry skin. Caring for sensitive skin starts with ensuring your dog is enjoying a healthy, balanced diet, and that starts with Burns itchy skin dog food.
At Burns, your dog's health is our priority, which is why we cater to different diets - including one for sensitive skin. Give your dog the tasty dinner they deserve, while helping their skin.
