Various studies report that between 1% and 24% of dogs are affected. However, dog owners often don't immediately consider the possibility of an allergy or aren't able to classify the symptoms.
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About the author: Lea Reich
Lea is the founder of Alpenwuff and an expert in dog nutrition. Drawing on her extensive scientific training, the development of several Alpenwuff food varieties, and years of experience working with dogs, she summarizes current topics and shares her knowledge in our Alpenwuff blog.
Types and causes of allergies in dogs
A basic distinction between allergies in dogs is environmental and food-related allergies.
Environmental allergies in dogs
Just like humans, dogs can develop allergies to certain environmental factors . For example, dogs can develop allergic reactions to house dust mites, pollen, certain materials, or bacteria . If an allergy is suspected, reactions to parasites should also be considered.
Food-related allergies in dogs
Food-related allergies refer to allergic reactions following food ingestion. The most common reactions are to proteins in food . Beef, in particular, is described as a common allergy trigger. In principle, however, any component of food can trigger the allergy. This type of reaction is called a food allergy .
How do I recognize an allergy in my dog?
Allergies manifest themselves externally on the skin and internally through reactions in the gastrointestinal tract.
Externally, allergies in dogs manifest themselves primarily as frequent and severe itching , which causes the dog to scratch, lick, and roll. Redness and inflamed areas develop, particularly on the ears, paws, and head. However, inflamed areas can also occur on other areas, such as the neck or back. Bald and scaly patches of skin can also be a precursor to inflammation and indicate an allergy.
Diarrhea or vomiting are common internal reactions to an allergy . Careful observation of your pet's behavior and documentation of when symptoms occur will help correctly classify the symptoms.
When do allergy symptoms appear in dogs?
Allergy symptoms usually appear within a few hours and up to a day after contact with the allergen. However, delayed reactions can occur even after one to two weeks.
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