Care & training
If your dog is scratching more than usual, chewing at their paws, or frequently rubbing an itchy ear, allergies could be the cause. Dog allergies can affect a dog’s skin, digestion, and quality of life, sometimes for months at a time, making them one of the most common reasons owners seek vet care. The good news is that while most allergies can’t be cured, they can often be managed successfully with the right vet care and a little day-to-day support at home.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the common signs of allergies in dogs, the different types of allergies, how vets may go about diagnosing them, and what treatment and management might look like.
Table of contents
- Signs of allergies in dogs
- Common types of dog allergies
- How vets diagnose dog allergies
- Managing dog allergies day-to-day
- How pet insurance can help with allergy-related vet care
Signs of allergies in dogs
Every dog is different, so allergy symptoms may not always look the same. Some dogs may become very itchy, while others may develop recurrent ear infections or digestive upset.
Some of the most common signs of allergies in dogs include:
- Scratching, licking, or chewing their skin more than usual, especially around the paws, ears, belly, or armpits
- Red, inflamed, or irritated skin
- Recurrent ear infections or frequent head shaking
- Hair loss or thinning patches caused by excessive licking or scratching
- Rubbing their face or body against carpets, furniture, or other surfaces
- Scooting along the ground
- Watery eyes, sneezing, or a runny nose
- Vomiting or diarrhoea, particularly if a food allergy is involved
Some dogs may only flare up during spring or summer when pollen counts are high, while others may experience allergy symptoms all year round. Noticing when symptoms occur, and whether anything seems to make them worse, can provide your vet with valuable clues about the underlying cause.
Common types of dog allergies
Not all dog allergies are the same. Some are triggered by substances in the environment, while others are caused by food or flea bites, and each can affect your dog a little differently. Your vet can help determine what may be causing your dog’s symptoms.
The following are some of the most common types of allergies seen in dogs.
Flea allergy dermatitis
Believe it or not, one flea can be enough to make an allergic dog intensely itchy.
Dogs with flea allergy dermatitis aren’t reacting to the flea bite itself. Instead, they’re allergic to proteins in the flea’s saliva. Even if you can’t see fleas, just one bite can trigger days of itching, redness, and skin irritation, often around the base of the tail, lower back, or hindquarters.
Because it only takes one bite to trigger a reaction, effective flea control is an important part of managing flea allergy dermatitis. Your vet can recommend a flea prevention product that is safe and suitable for your dog.
Environmental allergies
Environmental allergies occur when a dog reacts to substances in the environment, such as pollen, grasses, mould spores, and house dust mites. Like hay fever in humans, environmental allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to normally harmless substances in the environment. Signs may appear seasonally or occur throughout the year and commonly affect the paws, face, ears, and armpits. Dogs with environmental allergies often lick, chew, or scratch at their skin, particularly their paws, and recurrent ear infections are also common.
Because these allergens can be difficult to avoid completely, many dogs require ongoing management to help keep their symptoms under control.
Food allergies
Food allergies occur when a dog’s immune system reacts to a particular ingredient in their diet, most often a protein source such as beef, dairy, chicken, egg, wheat, or soy. Along with itchy skin, food allergies may also cause digestive problems, including vomiting, diarrhoea, or ongoing anal gland issues.
Food allergies are relatively uncommon compared with food intolerances. While food intolerances can cause similar digestive symptoms, they don’t involve the immune system.
Diagnosing a food allergy can be challenging, so your vet may recommend a special diet to help identify which ingredient is triggering your dog’s symptoms.
Contact allergies
Contact allergies are less common but can happen when your dog’s skin reacts to something they’ve come into contact with. This may include certain shampoos, cleaning products, bedding materials, or even particular grasses.
The reaction is usually limited to the area of contact and may include redness, irritation, or itching of the paws, belly, or other exposed areas of skin. Your vet can help determine whether a contact allergy may be contributing to your dog’s symptoms.
How vets diagnose dog allergies
Finding the cause of allergies isn’t always straightforward. Because different allergies can cause similar signs, diagnosing the underlying cause can take time.
Depending on your dog’s symptoms, your vet may recommend:
- Skin tests to check for parasites or infection
- An elimination diet using a specially selected food if a food allergy is suspected
- Allergy testing, often through a vet dermatologist
- Monitoring how your dog responds to changes in diet, flea prevention, or their environment
Working closely with your vet and following their recommendations can help identify the cause of your dog’s symptoms and determine the most appropriate treatment or management plan.
Managing dog allergies day-to-day
There’s currently no cure for most dog allergies, so management often focuses on reducing exposure to triggers and keeping your dog as comfortable as possible.
Your vet is best placed to recommend treatment suited to your dog’s specific diagnosis and needs, but general day-to-day management may include:
- Year-round flea prevention
- Regular bathing with a vet-recommended shampoo
- Wiping paws and coat after walks to help remove environmental allergens
- Washing your dog and vacuuming regularly to keep your dog’s environment clean
- Following a vet-recommended diet if a food allergy has been identified
- Keeping a record of your dog’s symptoms to help monitor flare-ups and identify possible triggers
It’s important to follow your vet’s recommendations and avoid giving your dog medications intended for people unless specifically advised to do so. Your vet can help you choose safe and effective treatments based on your dog’s individual needs.
How pet insurance can help with allergy-related vet care
Allergies are often a long-term condition that requires ongoing vet care. From diagnosing the cause to managing symptoms over time, the costs of allergy-related care can add up, which is where pet insurance may be able to help.
With RSPCA Pet Insurance, eligible health conditions are covered, helping you feel more confident seeking vet care whenever something doesn’t seem quite right. Plus, with every policy contributing to the RSPCA’s vital work, including rescue, rehab, and rehoming efforts, it’s protection with purpose. For your own pup and thousands of others across Australia.
To learn more about how RSPCA Pet Insurance could support you and your pet, or if you’re ready to take the next step, you can fetch a commitment-free pet insurance quote online.
Disclaimer
As with any insurance, terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure this cover suits your needs.
References
[1] RSPCA Australia. How do I stop my companion animal from getting fleas? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/pet-ownership/how-do-i-stop-my-companion-animal-from-getting-fleas
[2] Merck Veterinary Manual. Canine Atopic Dermatitis. Available from: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/integumentary-system/atopic-dermatitis/canine-atopic-dermatitis
[3] Hensel P, Santoro D, Favrot C, Hill P, Griffin C. Canine atopic dermatitis: detailed guidelines for diagnosis and allergen identification. BMC Veterinary Research. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4531508/
FAQs
While most dog allergies can’t be cured, they can often be managed successfully with the right treatment and ongoing vet care. Once the cause of your dog’s allergy has been identified, your vet can develop a treatment plan to help keep your dog as comfortable as possible.
Common signs of allergies in dogs include persistent scratching, licking or chewing, red or irritated skin, recurrent ear infections, and hair loss. Depending on the allergy, some dogs may also experience sneezing, watery eyes, or digestive upset.
Yes. Dogs can develop food allergies at any age, even to ingredients they’ve eaten for years without any problems. If your dog’s symptoms are new, persistent or getting worse, it’s worth speaking to your vet.
If your dog is scratching, licking, or chewing at their skin more than usual, their skin appears irritated, they have recurring ear infections, or ongoing digestive issues, it’s a good idea to book an appointment with your vet. Early diagnosis can help identify the cause, manage symptoms, and reduce the risk of secondary skin infections.
Depending on your policy and your dog’s diagnosis, pet insurance may help cover eligible vet costs associated with allergies. Because allergies often require ongoing care, such as vet consultations, diagnostic tests, medications, or treatment for related skin infections, having cover in place before symptoms develop can provide valuable financial support.
With RSPCA Pet Insurance, you can customise your cover to suit your pet’s needs and your budget, while supporting the RSPCA’s rescue, rehab, and rehoming efforts across Australia. To learn more, visit the RSPCA Pet Insurance website or click here for a quick, commitment-free quote.
As with any insurance, terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure this cover suits your needs.
