Allergies are very common among humans and everyone is very aware of their existence. Humans are knwon to be allergic to a host of allergens including flowers, weeds, grass, various foods, animals and metals. Dog skin Allergies vary greatly from individual to individual, and they often times come and go. For these reasons, dozens of pet allergy medications both alternative and non-alternative exist in order to calm allergy reactions. Even with this high awareness of human allergies, even dog owners do not realize that their pets may (and often do) have similar issues with a large host of allergens.

Dog skin allergies are just as common as human allergies but are often missed by people because dogs skin is covered with fur and hair. The best way to detect skin allergies on a dog is to look for certain signs and symptoms. These include sneezing, a dry nose, red eyes, tiredness, fatigue and appetite changes in the dog.

Canine Skin Irritations and Skin Problems

Diarrhea or constipation can also be signs of that your dog has skin allergies. Of course the best way to check for certain is to do a careful search over your dog, folding over the hair in order to detect skin rashes, redness and irritation. Dogs may have a large variety of skin allergies which can be caused by a large number of different things. For starters, a dog may be allergic to certain foods just as a human can. Usually this is not as intuitive because dogs’ diets are not are varied as human diets. Allergy to certain foods can be one cause of skin rashes, but also even the smallest form of malnutrition can also cause dog skin allergies. Dogs are high energy, high muscle and usually low fat organisms. For this reason they need a very carefully planned and very balanced diet high in protein and fiber. If a dog is not getting these proper nutrients, it becomes highly susceptible to skin allergies.

Molds, pollens and other environmental allergens can also cause a dog to have skin allergies. This type of dog allergy is referred to as atopic dermititis and its onset is generally when the dog is still very young. One symptom of this particular dog skin allergy is itching of the face and biting of the paws. Dogs with this type of skin allergy suffer from irritation and itch more than dogs with other types of allergies.

Fleas and other parasites can also cause dog skin allergies. These allergies have a very obvious cause as well as an obvious cure. Removing fleas and administering antibiotics as well as antifungal medication can completely cure the dog of this type of allergy. Sometimes dogs can present with cases of skin allergies, such as itching and licking, but no obvious cause for the allergy can be found. In this cause, the skin allergy is said to be neurogenic. In other words it is a skin neurological problem that presents itself in the form of a skin allergy. Generally speaking, this type of allergy has no treatment and cure and often times, dogs suffer their whole life with the illness.

itchy dog with allergies

Finally, a canine skin allergy can be caused but bacterial or yeast infections. These tend to be the most damaging the the dogs skin and sometimes can cause serious diseases and even death. The best way to treat these types of skin allergies is to administer prescribed antibiotics and care for the dog as one would care for a sick human with a serious infection.  Other types of treatments also exists for dogs skin allergies and it is important to consult with a veterinarian before making any types of diagnosis, administering treatments or making other life altering decisions regarding your dog skin allergies.