Allergies can be a problem for animals, just like people! Canine-specific allergies are grouped into four general categories: flea, atopic (inhalant), food, and contact.

Fleas - Dogs are allergic to a protein in flea saliva that remains in the skin after a flea bite. Your dog scratching and itching would be a normal reaction - severe reactions to the protein can result in behavioral changes.

Atopic - Inhalant allergies are the second most common type of allergy found in dogs. They occur when the dog inhales a certain allergen, like smoke, chemicals, mold, etc. A veterinarian can certainly recommend treatment for this type of allergy, but removing the allergen, if possible, if of course the best treatment.

Food - Dogs can often have allergic reactions to the same foods that humans are allergic to, like diary products, soy, and corn. Normally a dog’s reaction to a food allergy is itchy, irritated skin, but some may develop vomiting or diarrhea. Like atopic allergens, it may take awhile to figure out exactly what your dog is allergic to. Once the source of the allergic reaction is identified, it‘s easy to make adjustments.

If you observe your dog itching or suffering from one of the symptoms discussed earlier after he/she consumes specific food products, then consider that an allergic reaction to the food may be the culprit.  There are many occasions where food allergies have been diagnosed in a dog, but the dog may have other significant health issues instead. It's never a bad idea to consult a veterinarian when in doubt, but one can go a long way toward excluding other health issue concerns by closely observing your dog as part of your daily routine and particularly when you feed him.  Look for any reactions and reasons to link the symptoms, if any, to the dog food or other activity, and consult a professional if required. 


Contact - This type of allergy occurs when a dog physically touches a substance that contains an allergen, such as grass or plastic. In this case, regular allergy shots may be required to keep the reactions to a minimum.

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