Introduction
“Allergies” are essentially the response of the body’s immune system to environmental or other allergens. These allergens can be practically anything - from flea saliva to dust mites to grasses and pollen and components of food. As in people, dogs that are allergic to particular things have an immune reaction that normally involves the skin but also often involves the gastrointestinal system. The best way to “prevent” allergies in our dogs is to prevent their contact with whatever is causing the allergic reaction.
Preventing Allergies in Dogs
Flea Allergies
Allergic reactions to flea bites are very common in companion animals. Affected dogs have an immune reaction to the flea saliva, causing irritation and itchiness at the bite site with an increased chance of hair loss and secondary bacterial infection. As with all causes of allergies, flea bite allergies are best prevented by removing the allergen – here, the flea – from the dog’s environment. There are a number of good topical products to keep fleas off of our pets, including collars, liquid medications that are put onto the skin and other products that your veterinarian can recommend. With regular management, flea bite allergies are quite preventable.
Hay Fever
Dogs can develop allergies to seasonal pollen, trees, bushes, grass or flowers. In people, we call this “hay fever,” and the clinical signs are similar in dogs. Sneezing, redness of the eyes, itchiness and lethargy are common signs of seasonal allergies. Again, the best way to prevent these allergies is to prevent your dog’s exposure to the causative allergen. Your veterinarian can help you identify which particular things your dog is allergic to.
Food Allergies
Dogs also commonly develop allergies to components of their food – especially in commercially available kibble diets. Food allergies can present with vomiting, skin rashes or other skin lesions, and pruritus (intense itchiness). The way to “prevent” (or manage) these reactions is to use an elimination diet, which your veterinarian can explain to you in detail. Essentially, an elimination diet involves strictly regulating your dog’s diet, usually starting with boiled rice and chicken, and then adding other ingredients one at a time and assessing whether the dog has an adverse reaction to the new ingredient. There are a number of commercially available kibble diets that have unique ingredients (like duck, venison, sweet potatoes, etc.) which can successfully be fed to dogs with allergies to more common protein sources, such as beef, lamb or pork.