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Dogs, like humans, can suffer from allergies and allergic reactions — and it could be troubling to see your pup deal with the symptoms. However, once you understand the causes of allergies in dogs and how to treat them, your best pal can get back to living a happy and healthy life. And, dog insurance can be there to help you cover any related costs.
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An allergic reaction is an overreaction of a dog’s immune system when it responds to substances it identifies as foreign, such as pollen, dust, or certain foods. Experts believe that some allergies may be hereditary, and many dogs begin to show signs of allergies between 1 – 3 years of age.1
The substances that trigger an allergic reaction are referred to as allergens. While there are many different types, some of the more common allergens that affect dogs tend to be environmental, food, and flea.1
Environmental allergies in dogs can come from both natural and artificial sources. Some of the most common include:1
Some environmental allergens are tougher to avoid than others. If you think your dog is allergic to something in or around your home, talk to your veterinarian about the best way to keep your dog away from the allergen.
One or more ingredients in your dog’s food may cause a food allergy. Some common ingredients that may trigger an allergic response include chicken, beef, dairy, soy, and wheat.2 Food allergies can emerge over time, meaning your dog may develop an allergy to a type of food even after they’ve eaten it for years.1
While flea bites can be annoying by themselves, they may also cause your dog to experience an allergic reaction to flea saliva that is spread by its bite.1
Allergic reactions in dogs can take different forms, produce various symptoms, and affect your dog in different ways. Some of the more common allergy symptoms include the following:
Skin reactions
Skin allergies — like atopic dermatitis (atopy) — are some of the most common seen in dogs. The typical symptom is itchy skin. However, your dog may also develop hives, rashes, inflammation, and hair loss.1,3 Itchy dogs may scratch and lick affected areas repeatedly until they develop hot spots — warm, moist patches of skin that can cause great discomfort.3
Dogs may react to inhaled particles like dust and pollen, leading to symptoms like irritated or watery eyes, sneezing, and facial swelling.1
Other possible symptoms of allergic reactions in dogs include gastrointestinal problems, such as gas, soft stool, diarrhea, or vomiting.3
Anaphylactic reactions aren’t common in dogs. However, if they do occur, they can be severe. These allergic reactions may come from bee sting or spider bite, or an adverse reaction to a new medication or vaccine. However, they don’t often arise from seasonal allergies, food, or flea bites. Symptoms of anaphylactic reactions may include facial swelling, sudden vomiting or diarrhea, and difficulty breathing. Anaphylaxis is considered an emergency, so take your dog to the vet immediately if you notice signs of this type of allergic reaction.4
If your dog suffers from allergies, treatment options are available and include medications, immunotherapy, and dietary changes.
If you suspect environmental or food allergies in your dog, try to reduce your dog’s exposure to the allergens. If it isn’t possible to keep your dog away from an environmental allergen, your veterinarian may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines to help make your dog’s life a little easier.1
A vet may also prescribe oral or topical steroids, like cortisone products, to help relieve itching. Other anti-itch treatments, such as ApoquelⓇ5 or CytopointⓇ5, may help too. Some dogs may need antibiotics to prevent secondary infection from a skin reaction.1
Your vet may recommend immunotherapy for certain allergies. Immunotherapy is a treatment option that introduces small amounts of an allergen to your dog’s body and gradually increases the dose over time, allowing them to build up a resistance. Immunotherapy is administered as either allergy drops or injections. It can take at least a year to determine if the treatment is effective.2
If you’re concerned your dog may be allergic to an ingredient in their food, talk to your vet. Depending on the severity of your dog’s response, the vet may recommend an elimination diet to confirm the allergy is to a food and to determine which ingredient is causing the allergy.2
With an elimination diet, you will need to feed your dog a diet that includes only novel or new foods and ingredients — meaning foods they haven’t ever eaten before — for up to 3 months.2 Doing so will remove the dog’s normal food source, which may help pinpoint the source of the allergen within their previous diet.2 From there, your vet may be able to recommend a prescription diet that doesn’t include your dog’s allergen.3
When estimating the costs of dog allergies, both testing and treatment are factors to consider. Skin tests and blood tests can help determine the source of your dog’s allergy. The cost of this testing can range from $200 – $400. Medications that help with itchiness and inflammation, such as antihistamines and corticosteroids, could cost between $240 – $1,200 per year. Allergy shots could cost up to $2,600 per year.6
The cost of dog allergy treatments may also vary depending on factors like location, the number of allergens, and how often they need the medication.6 However, if you have dog insurance from MetLife Pet, your plan may help cover these costs.
Some breeds are predisposed to developing allergies. These breeds include:2
Labrador retrievers, West Highland white terriers, and cocker spaniels are more likely to have food allergies specifically.2 A pet insurance policy may be especially worth it for families with these 11 dog breeds.
Check out these stories from dog families who have saved money on allergy costs with MetLife Pet Insurance:7
You never know if the new puppy you’ve adopted, or even the dog you’ve had for years, will develop an allergy at some point. That’s why it’s best to purchase a pet insurance policy as soon as possible.
Allergies can be an expensive lifelong medical cost for dogs. The good news? MetLife Pet Insurance can help cover allergy testing and treatment over the course of your dog's life, making a pet insurance policy potentially worth it for a lot of families.
Protect your pup and your wallet. Get your free, personalized quote today.
Dr. Hunter Finn has been paid by MetLife to discuss the importance of choosing pet insurance. He is an integrative veterinary expert first, and social media star second. America’s favorite veterinarian owns Pet Method in McKinney, Texas, where he cares for pets while prioritizing their emotional well-being. When he’s not at his clinic, he’s starring in viral videos on TikTok (2 million followers) and Instagram (500K followers) — where he’s been known to snuggle puppies and conquer the latest dance trends.
