What it is
Your dog's immune system is built to fight off real threats, but in an allergy it mistakes something harmless for an enemy. Each time the dog meets that trigger, the body releases substances that cause inflammation, and the skin reacts first, with heat, redness and itch.
Some allergies come and go with the seasons, as pollen does, while others, such as a reaction to house dust mites or a food ingredient, can trouble a dog all year round. A tendency towards allergies can run in families.
Living with an allergic dog means watching closely: in which months the scratching gets worse, what changed in the home, how the skin looks after a walk through long grass. Notes like these help your vet piece the picture together, and less itchy skin means calmer sleep, more play and a happier dog.
Signs you may notice
- Licks or chews the paws
- Scratches the ears and belly
- Rubs the face on the carpet
- Red skin in the armpits
- Shakes the head
- Soft stools or vomiting
The dog licks or chews its paws, rubs its face on the carpet and scratches its armpits, belly and ears, and the skin in those places turns red. When food is the trigger, digestive upsets such as soft stools or vomiting can appear as well.
When to see a vet
Book a visit if your dog keeps scratching or licking for more than a few days, or if the skin turns red, starts to smell or the coat thins.
For everyday care
These are everyday care products, not a treatment. Ask your vet before changing your dog's food.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.