The month of May is National Pet Allergy Awareness Month. Some pet owners may not be aware of the threat allergies pose to their pets, so we are going to take a moment to review a few facts about allergies in dogs.

There are a few different types of allergies dogs can suffer from. Skin allergies, food allergies, and environmental allergies all pose challenges for dogs and their owners. To make matters worse, some of the allergy symptoms of these different types of allergies can be similar.

The most common allergic reaction in dogs is contact dermatitis, or a red and itchy rash. The three main causes of this type of allergic reaction are

• Flea bites.

• Reaction to food.

• Environmental allergens.

An allergic reaction to fleas typically results in your dog's skin becoming red, inflamed, scabbed, and very itchy. In addition to this, you may notice fleas or signs of fleas, such as dirt in your dog's fur or hair loss.

Skin allergies due to an allergic reaction to food can cause your dog's skin to become itchy as well. This type of reaction typically occurs on the paws and ears.

Environmental allergens, such as dust, pollen, and mold, are usually seasonal, so you may only notice your dog itching during certain times of the year. As with food allergies, the most commonly affected areas are the paws and ears.

True food allergies result in an immune response, which can include dermatologic symptoms such as itchiness, hives, or facial swelling; gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting; or a combination of both varieties of symptoms. In some rare cases, a severe reaction resulting in anaphylaxis can occur—similar to severe peanut allergies in humans

Your dog may develop hives or facial swelling in response to an allergen. Swelling of the face, throat, lips, eyelids, or earflaps may look serious, but is rarely fatal, and your veterinarian can treat it with an antihistamine or other medication.

Dog Allergy Symptoms

• Itchiness

• Hives

• Swelling of the face, ears, lips, eyelids, or earflaps

• Red, inflamed skin

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Sneezing

• Itchy ears

• Chronic ear infections

• Itchy, runny eyes

• Constant licking

Some of these symptoms could also be a sign of another condition. Make an appointment with us to get an accurate diagnosis.