Allergies in dogs - what you really need to know

Look out for allergies in dogs (photo: Adobe)

Did you know our beloved pets can also suffer with allergies? PDSA’s expert vet team have shared what you need to know about allergies in dogs including how best to care for your four-legged friend.

PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing explains: “As with humans, there are different types of allergies dogs can suffer with – and also many different triggers.

“If your dog has a skin allergy they may suffer from itchy skin, hair loss or rashes. Scratching and skin problems are extremely common in dogs. In fact, they are among the most common conditions that our vets see and treat.”

Caring for your dog’s skin allergy:

Scratching can be a sign of an allergy (photo: Adobe)

Get advice from your vet

“If you think your dog has a skin allergy, it’s best to get advice from your vet early on,” Nina explains.

“Skin problems often get worse over time and can become more difficult to treat if left, especially if the skin becomes inflamed or infected.”

Avoid any triggers

Keep an eye on your pet during allergy season (photo: Adobe)

“Dogs will often have more than one trigger that kick starts an allergy response and this can make identifying the cause of a skin allergy very difficult,” Nina adds. “They could be almost anything - fleas, food, pollens, grass or mites to name just a few.”

Flea treatments

“Fleas make your dog itchy which can worsen their skin allergies. There are also dogs that can be allergic to fleas themselves.”

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