Canine Allergies

Canine food allergies occur when a dog’s immune system overreacts to specific ingredients in their diet—most commonly proteins such as beef and/or chicken. These allergies often show up as chronic itching, recurring ear infections, skin irritation, or gastrointestinal signs like vomiting and diarrhea. Diagnosis typically involves a carefully managed elimination diet to identify the trigger ingredient. Once identified, feeding a balanced diet that avoids the offending allergen can significantly improve your dog’s comfort, skin health, and overall well-being.

Allergies in pets can be complex - we usually will asses three major causes: environment, ectoparasites, and diet.

• Ectoparasites are the easiest to control: Make sure your pet is on year round flea/tick medications

• Environmental causes can be complex and may require allergy testing. Pets who have grass and pollen sensitivities will benefit from wiping their paws with a dry towel or unscented baby wipe after a trip outside

• Diet is also fairly easy to control as long as all family members contribute to limiting snacks while a diet trial is attempted.