Which allergies can make your dog itch?

Has your dog recently started to itch, roll around to scratch their back and lick their coat more than usual? Frequent scratching is often the sign of an allergic reaction. Here are the most probable culprits and how to help your dog.

Which allergies cause a dog's skin to itch?

Flea bites: a single flea bite is enough to trigger an allergic reaction and make your dog really itchy. Even if you don't see any fleas on you dog's body, they are often the reason behind all the scratching.

Environmental allergies, such as pollen or dust mites. They can be seasonal or present all year round. Dogs will often have an allergic itch around on their face, belly or paws.

Food allergies and intolerances are the third most probable cause. Your dog may be intolerant to grains, or allergic to certain protein sources such as beef. Food allergies can be hard to diagnose as they can appear at any life stage, but they are easily cured by changing your dog's diet.

Bear in mind that itchiness is often just an allergic reaction, but it can also be a symptom of a more serious and urgent issue, especially if it comes with other digestive or respiratory symptoms. It's always best to take your pooch to the vet for a diagnosis. 

How to treat an allergic itch?

Once your vet has confirmed that the itchiness is triggered by an allergic reaction, the next step is to help your dog stop scratching their skin.

You may be recommended to get a specific dog shampoo to relieve itchiness or even prescribed antibiotics. 

If food is the principal suspect, it is likely that you'll have to put your dog on a hypoallergenic diet.

Regardless of the allergy, it's best not to wait for a diagnosis as frequent scratching could lead to more severe issues such as skin and ear infections.