In this guide, we’ll walk you through what causes dog allergies, how they show up, and what you can do to help your pup feel better. (Don’t worry—we’ll save cat allergies for another time. They’re a little different.)

Dog Allergies at a Glance

Most dog allergies show up as itchy skin, not sneezing or watery eyes like in people. You might notice your pup scratching, licking their paws, shaking their head, or rolling around to find relief. Allergies can also lead to secondary infections, so treating the itch and identifying the cause go hand-in-hand.

We break dog allergies into three main types:

1. Parasite Allergies

These allergies are triggered by tiny pests like fleas, mange mites, and Demodex. Even one flea bite can cause a big reaction in a sensitive dog.

You’ll often see your dog scratching or biting near the tail base. Their skin might be red, scabby, or missing fur.

How We Diagnose Parasite Allergies

  • Look for flea dirt (black specks that smear red on a wet paper towel)
  • Skin scrapes done at our clinic to detect mites

How We Treat Parasite Allergies

  • Fast-acting flea prevention
  • Medicated baths or oral treatments for mites
  • Follow-up skin checks to ensure the parasites are gone
  • Discuss environmental treatment options

2. Food Allergies

Food allergies don’t usually cause vomiting or diarrhea. Instead, they often show up as chronic ear infections, itchy feet, or anal gland irritation.

How We Diagnose Food Allergies

The gold standard is an 8-week elimination diet using a hydrolyzed or novel-protein prescription food. If symptoms improve and then return when old food is reintroduced, it’s likely a food allergy.

How We Treat Food Allergies

  • Long-term prescription diets
  • Avoiding common triggers like chicken, beef, or dairy
  • Careful label reading and routine rechecks

3. Environmental Allergies

These are the most common dog allergies—over 80% of itchy dogs fall into this category. Triggers include pollen, mold, dust mites, and other particles in the air.

You might notice:

  • Licking or chewing between toes
  • Red or rashy belly and armpits
  • Seasonal flare-ups (especially spring and fall)

How We Diagnose Environmental Allergies

  • Skin testing (done by veterinary dermatologists)
  • Blood testing for allergen-specific antibodies

How We Treat Environmental Allergies

  • Allergen-specific immunotherapy (custom allergy shots or drops)
  • Antihistamines, anti-itch medications, and lifestyle changes

Treatment Options

Anti-Itch Medications

We use targeted medications that reduce your dog’s urge to scratch:

  • Apoquel – a daily oral tablet that blocks itch signals
  • Cytopoint – a monthly injection that uses monoclonal antibodies to block IL-31, the key molecule that causes itching

These don't cure the allergy, but they provide fast, effective relief—often within hours.

Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy

This is the closest thing to a long-term solution. Tiny doses of your dog's allergens are introduced gradually through injections or oral drops to build tolerance over time.

Infection Management

Allergic dogs often get bacterial, yeast, or mite-related skin infections. We use skin cytology to diagnose the problem and treat with:

  • Antibiotics for bacteria
  • Antifungals for yeast
  • Antiparasitics for mites or fleas

Getting the right treatment depends on a clear diagnosis—what works for yeast won’t help with bacteria.

Let’s Get Your Dog Comfortable Again

Allergies can really affect your dog’s quality of life—but they don’t have to. At Bright Vet, we’re here to help you figure out what’s going on and build a treatment plan that works for both of you.