Allergies are one of the top five reasons for veterinary visits. Many terms used to describe allergies in dogs are based on where the reaction manifests. Understanding the basic terms will facilitate discussing your dog’s condition with your veterinarian.

An allergy is your dog’s immune response to a foreign substance. Typically, these substances are not harmful to your dog. Allergens are substances that trigger allergies. Examples of allergens include pollens, dust mites, molds, dander, and certain foods. 

The term “hygiene hypothesis” was introduced in 1989 in humans but is equally applicable to dogs. Scientists and doctors observed that early childhood exposure to specific microorganisms (such as the gut flora and intestinal parasites) protects against allergic diseases by contributing to the development of the immune system. A lack of exposure leads to defects in establishing immune tolerance. The period for exposure for dogs begins in utero and continues through puppyhood. 

There are many types of allergies and just as many causes of them. Terms used for allergies that cause skin disorders include food-induced atopic dermatitis (FIAD), non-food-induced dermatitis (NFIAD), and cutaneous adverse food reaction (CAFR). Atopic-like dermatitis (ALD) and adverse food reaction (AFR) are also used.

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is often used to describe dogs’ inflamed pruritic (itchy) skin irritation and was further defined in 2007 as having a genetic predisposition. 

Allergies that cause gastrointestinal disorders are called non-cutaneous adverse food reactions (NCAFR). 

Allergic reaction presentation varies with the type of allergen, the causative agent, and the individual dog’s immune response. There are two categories of reactions: cutaneous and non-cutaneous reactions. The severity of an allergic reaction is determined by environmental factors, including the time of year, where your dog lives (urban or rural locations), and the onset and duration of the immune response.

Cutaneous reactions can occur on all your dog’s body surfaces, especially on the paws, skin, ears, and mouth. Skin problems are the most common reason for veterinary visits. Skin lesions, inflammation, and severe itching are the usual complaints.

However, modern medicine confounded the issue by using drugs that merely suppress the inflammation and itching rather than find the cause of the disorder. The two most commonly prescribed medications are Apoquel® and  Cytopoint®. Apoquel® (oclacitinib tablets)  is an immunosuppressant drug that reduces inflammation and itchiness. However, like other immunosuppressants, the use of Apoquel® can lead to secondary skin infections caused by bacteria or fungi.  Cytopoint® is a non-drug treatment containing bioengineered antibodies that target and neutralize one of the main proteins in your dog’s body that causes itching. 

Despite excellent results for some dogs, the effectiveness of both medications often wanes over time. A holistic, integrative veterinarian will have many other options that work with your dog’s body to conquer allergies naturally.

Quercetin- a flavonoid that is naturally found in fruits and vegetables. Its unique biological properties have been shown to improve mental and physical performance, reduce the risk of infection and disease, and act as an anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogen, anti-viral, and antioxidant. 

Herbal Teas-Chamomile, green tea, calendula, and black tea can cool irritated and sensitive skin. Cooled tea bags can be used directly on irritated skin, or cooled brewed tea can be put in a spray bottle and applied to the skin.

Omega-3- Processed dog food often contains too much Omega-6, which alters the ideal ratio of Omega-3’s to Omega 6’s in your dog’s diet. An imbalance in oils leads to inflammation.

Essential Oils-Lavender, chamomile, and peppermint oil all calm irritated red skin. Myrrh helps to repair damaged skin. It has analgesic properties that can reduce pain associated with severe skin disorders and self-induced damage caused by scratching.

A non-cutaneous allergic reaction is an allergic response that does not primarily involve the skin. Allergic reactions can affect various systems and organs in the body, leading to various clinical signs in your dog.  Non-cutaneous allergic reactions may involve the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems and the eyes, ears, or other organs. 

The incidence of food allergies (FA) has been questionable in the literature, but it is estimated that FA causes 1% to 10% of all skin disorders in dogs. GI clinical signs occur in 10-15% of FA cases. Clinical signs can occur suddenly or after months or even years of the dog consuming the diet.

The most common clinical sign of an FA you will encounter is your dog experiencing non-seasonal pruritus (itchy skin) that is either generalized or restricted to specific body areas such as the face, ears, paws, abdominal area, or perianal region. 

GI disorders such as vomiting, diarrhea, and undigested food regurgitation are common signs of an FA.

Reports of common food allergens include beef, dairy, chicken, lamb, pork, eggs, barley, soy, rice, corn, and wheat. Any food component can cause an allergy. Multiple food allergies were demonstrated in up to 35-48% of the confirmed FA cases in dogs. 

Food allergies are not easily diagnosed. Food trials are essential in diagnosing FA as many diagnostic techniques, such as skin biopsies, intradermal skin testing, and commercial kits, have little to no reliability. However, food trials are lengthy and time-consuming for the dog’s owner. The mislabeling of commercially available elimination pet foods often occurs, including unexpected ingredients, making an argument for homemade diets to be used.

True food allergies are uncommon, accounting for 1-10% of dog skin disorders.

Medical treatment of allergies, such as Apoquel® and Cytopoint®, can provide temporary relief but does not find the root cause. 

The hygiene hypothesis explains how the lack of exposure to microbes and intestinal pathogens can lead to defects in establishing immune tolerance in dogs.

Environmental and phenotype-related risk factors for owner-reported allergic/atopic skin symptoms and for canine atopic dermatitis verified by veterinarian in a Finnish dog population 

Canine atopic dermatitis: a retrospective study of 169 cases examined at the University of California, Davis, 1992-1998. Part II. Response to hyposensitization 

Canine atopic dermatitis: a retrospective study of 266 cases examined at the University of California, Davis, 1992-1998. Part I. Clinical features and allergy testing results 

Pollen Allergies in Humans and their Dogs, Cats and Horses: Differences and Similarities. 

Characterisation of dog sensitisation to grass pollen in western France from 1999 to 2010 

An <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/allergy">allergy</a> is your dog’s immune response to a foreign substance. Typically, these substances are not harmful to your dog. Allergens are substances that trigger allergies. Examples of allergens include pollens, dust mites, molds, dander, and certain foods. 

Cutaneous reactions can occur on all your dog’s body surfaces, especially on the paws, skin, ears, and mouth. Skin problems are the most common reason for veterinary visits. Skin lesions, <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/inflammation">inflammation</a>, and severe itching are the usual complaints.

However, modern medicine confounded the issue by using drugs that merely suppress the inflammation and itching rather than find the cause of the disorder. The two most commonly prescribed medications are <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/apoquel">Apoquel</a>® and  Cytopoint®. Apoquel® (oclacitinib tablets)  is an immunosuppressant drug that reduces inflammation and itchiness. However, like other immunosuppressants, the use of Apoquel® can lead to secondary skin infections caused by <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/bacteria">bacteria</a> or fungi.  Cytopoint® is a non-drug treatment containing bioengineered antibodies that target and neutralize one of the main proteins in your dog’s body that causes itching. 

Reports of common food allergens include beef, dairy, chicken, lamb, pork, <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/eggs">eggs</a>, barley, <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/soy">soy</a>, rice, <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/corn">corn</a>, and wheat. Any food component can cause an allergy. Multiple food allergies were demonstrated in up to 35-48% of the confirmed FA cases in dogs. 

Allergies in Dogs: A Brief Overview

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