Out and About with your Dog

Dog Allergies - what are canine allergies?


Vets report that dog allergies are one of the most common health complaints they have to treat on a daily basis.

It’s not just us humans who suffer from these annoying allergy symptoms. Our canine friends can also react to things that don’t agree with them – from food to fleas, chemicals to house dust and pollen.

So What Is A Canine Allergy?

Canine allergies are basically the same as allergies in humans. The immune system is over-reacting to something it should be tolerant to. Substances which cause allergies are known as allergens and dogs can come into contact with allergens via their food, through the skin or via the air they breathe.

The most common dog allergy symptoms are:
  • Itching and inflammation in the skin
  • Excessive scratching, licking, biting
  • Ear infections
  • Head shaking
  • Patches of hair loss and scaly lesions

Now I know that all dogs experience some of these symptoms on a regular basis. There isn’t a dog out there who doesn’t scratch and lick themselves or roll around on the floor. But you know your dog and whether they are in distress and are scratching more than usual.

Some breeds tend to be more prone to developing canine allergies than others, particularly Beagles, Terriers, Shar-peis, Dalmatians, English Bulldogs, English Setters, Golden Retrievers, Lhasa Apsos and Miniature Schnauzers. Symptoms usually start to appear as the dog reaches its first birthday and unfortunately allergies can get worse with age as the dog becomes more and more sensitive to different things.

If your dog suffering with irritating skin, including dry, itchy, red, rough, scaly, chapped and cracked skin?

Try Derma-Ionx? Skin Care for Dogs by Vetionx. Click here to read what others have said about this product.


If You Suspect You Have A Dog With Allergies, What Should You Do?

If your dog has symptoms that are causing him distress then you should take him to the vet. Allergies in dogs usually cause uncomfortable skin problems which can become infected with bacteria that can spread all over the skin. Vets can perform skin prick or blood allergy tests but these can be inaccurate and dogs may be reacting to a combination of things.

Dog Allergy Treatments

There are a number of different treatment options which can be used for all types of allergy, whether it’s food, skin contact or inhalant. It’s important to not only treat the symptoms but also find out and treat the cause.

Strategies such as elimination diets, checking for fleas, changing bedding and special shampoos can help reduce contact with the allergen. Combined with this your vet may offer the following options:

  • Corticosteroids – to reduce the inflammation. These should only be used short term as they can have side effects.


  • Anti-histamines – to reduce itching and redness Allergy shots – which reduce sensitivity to the allergen. Tests need to be carried out to identify exactly what your dog is reacting to and then very small amounts of antigen are injected on a weekly basis to help reprogram your dog’s immune system. Success rates are fairly high with this therapy – up to 70%. However it can take up to a year before results are seen and it can be quite expensive. Dogs also may need to be retreated when they get older as they may develop allergies to something else.


  • Dietary Supplements: essential fatty acids can help to reduce the inflammation which causes many of the symptoms, as well as helping to rebalance the immune system.


It’s also worth pointing out here that dog allergies can be genetic in nature and tend to run in canine families. Studies have even shown that if the mother and father have some form of allergy, their puppies will have a 60% chance of developing allergies. Therefore vets advise that dogs with allergies should not be bred.

Click to read about:

Dog food allergies

Dog skin allergies

Dog inhalant allergies (including canine grass allergies.)


Visit Dog Health Problems Online for a complete guide to common health issues.

Derma-Ionx for Dogs

Read what people have said about Derma-Ionx by Vetionx.

My pet Labrador, who is reaching 14 yrs old, has been suffering over the last 2 yrs with skin problems including septic hot spots and baldness.

We've taken him to the vets many times and have parted with a great deal of money trying to make him comfortable in his later years.

We stumbled upon your website while looking for something to help him and decided to give Derma-Ionx a try. Within a week he became much more active, his eyes stopped running and his skin and coat are as good as he's been for years, you would not believe he is a dog of his age.

We are so grateful to you and your product we had to let you know. I recommend it to every one I know who has dogs with skin problems.

Mandy, Glamorgan, UK





I would just like to say that the initial results are outstanding on my Jack Russell. Her skin started to grow new hair within the first 7 days and she has lost most of the redness of her skin after the first 3 weeks.

I think I will try some direct application on the now minor inflamed area. Thank you sincerely for Derma-Ionx and your delivery service was also spectacular.

I look forward to trying your arthritis product on my other Jack Russell in the near future. You are welcome to use my testimonial on your website.

John C., Australia





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