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Only 10% of dog allergies are food-related. Most are triggered by the environment.
If your dog is prone to scratching, licking its paws or having noticeably irritated skin, you might assume something in its food is to blame. But food allergies are far less common than many pet parents realise. Only around 10% of dogs with allergies experience food allergies, with most triggered by something in their environment.
“Grass and pollen are obvious triggers at this time of year,” says Dr. Karien Brink, Professional Veterinary Affairs and Customer Development Manager at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, South Africa. But she says that allergens can also be found inside the home. “Dust mites and mould can cause reactions too, while flea and other insect bites are another potential trigger.”
Skin issues are a significant reason dogs end up at the vet, according to research* conducted by Hill’s, finding that as many as 40% of veterinary visits are linked to dogs experiencing skin issues.
Dogs don’t necessarily sneeze when they have allergies
For humans, seasonal allergies are usually associated with sneezing, watery eyes and a runny nose. Dogs can experience these symptoms too, but allergies frequently show themselves through the skin.
Itching, scratching, licking and rubbing are among the signs pet parents should look out for. Red patches, spots or pimples, flaky or scaly skin, hair loss, scabs, thickened skin and an unusual skin odour can also indicate a problem.
Where a dog is scratching can provide clues too. Seasonal allergy-related itching is often noticeable around the ears, paws, muzzle, armpits and groin.
“One of the easiest signs to miss is licking,” says Brink. “A pet parent might not think of a dog repeatedly licking or chewing its paws as ‘scratching,’ but persistent licking can be a response to itchy, uncomfortable skin.” Recurrent ear problems can also accompany seasonal allergies.
The difficulty is that scratching can quickly become more than an irritation. Dogs can scratch or chew their skin to the point where it becomes damaged, potentially opening the door to painful secondary infections.
The five spring and environmental triggers to know
While identifying the exact cause of a dog’s reaction isn’t always straightforward, Brink identifies several common environmental triggers:
- Grass and grass pollen: Running, rolling and playing on grass can bring a dog’s skin into direct contact with potential allergens.
- Pollen: Like people, dogs can react to airborne pollen, with exposure changing according to season and environment.
- Dust mites: Not every environmental allergen is waiting outside. Microscopic dust mites found in the home can also trigger allergic reactions.
- Mould: Mould and mould spores are another potential environmental trigger and can occur both indoors and outside.
- Fleas and biting insects: For susceptible dogs, an insect bite can trigger significant itching and skin irritation.
Why nutrition can matter even when food isn’t the problem
Perhaps the more surprising part of the allergy conversation is that changing a pet’s food isn’t only relevant when the food itself is causing the reaction.
Skin forms an important protective barrier between a dog and its environment, and specialised nutrition can be used as part of the long-term management of environmental sensitivities.
Hill’s Prescription Diet Derm Complete is formulated specifically to help manage environmental and food allergies in dogs. It uses Histaguard Complex, a proprietary blend of bioactives and phytonutrients, alongside essential fatty acids to help strengthen the skin barrier and manage scratching and other signs associated with environmental allergies.
For dogs where food sensitivity is confirmed, Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d takes a different approach. Its animal proteins are highly hydrolysed, meaning they have been broken into much smaller pieces to help avoid detection by the immune system. It is clinically proven to reduce skin and digestive signs associated with food intolerances.
“Nutrition can be an important part of managing allergic skin disease, but the first step is understanding what you are dealing with,” says Brink. “If your dog suddenly starts scratching more as spring arrives, don’t automatically assume it’s their food. Look at the bigger picture and speak to your vet, particularly if the itching is persistent or the skin has become red, damaged or uncomfortable.”
*Research by: O’Neill DG et al. Prevalence of Disorders Recorded in Dogs Attending Primary-Care Veterinary Practices in England. Plos One 9(3): e90501.