Key Takeaways
- Flea allergies are the most common in dogs, causing intense itching from a reaction to flea saliva.
- Environmental allergens like pollen and grass can trigger allergic dermatitis, leading to itchy skin in dogs.
- Food allergies in dogs are rare and often caused by proteins in common pet food ingredients like meat or grains.
Is your dog uncomfortable and itchy? It may be an allergy!
Simply put, an allergy is an immune system reaction. When you have an allergy, your immune system overreacts by producing antibodies—specialized cells that protect the body from foreign invaders, such as viruses and bacteria.
Specific disease-fighting white blood cells, such as eosinophils, also play a role in the development of allergies.
Sometimes, these protective cells mistake harmless substances such as saliva from bug bites, inhaled dust, pollen, proteins in food, or even cleaning solutions as a threat. When the white blood cells think these substances are dangerous, they attack, resulting in inflammation and itchy skin. The heightened response to these substances, called allergens, is what causes allergy symptoms.
Dogs and puppies also suffer from allergies. So if you’re wondering what’s causing your pet’s itchy discomfort, here’s a look at some of the most common dog and puppy allergies.
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