The overwhelming majority of allergies in dogs is caused by environmental allergens – something your dog is breathing in, such as pollen or dust mites or mold. And sometimes that’s seasonal, so depending on what's pollinating outside, your dog may develop a seasonal, two to three month allergy. I mention this because clients will often come to me with a dog that is showing signs of allergies – the typical itching, foot chewing, or ear scratching – and they automatically assume it's food related, but most of the time the cause is something in the environment.
Ask Dr. Kwane: What Causes Skin Allergies in Dogs?
Are certain breeds more prone to skin allergies?
I see a lot more allergies in purebred dogs – such as Cocker Spaniels, Frenchies, English bulldogs, pugs, and Shar Peis. Unfortunately, I'll see more allergies in those breeds than I will in some of our large breed dogs.
Can food and diet impact skin allergies?
Absolutely. Sometimes it can make them worse, and sometimes it can actually improve them – things like omega-3 fatty acids and probiotics will improve skin health and reduce inflammation, while there are other ingredients in food, sometimes wheat or other allergens, that can cause skin allergies to be much worse and incite scratching and itching.
Cinematography by Yayo Ahumada for Kismet
Video editing by Daniel Poler for Kismet
Illustrations by Leah Goren for Kismet
Where my dogs at?
