Dog Allergies – Diagnosis And Management

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256 – February, 2026

By Barbara E. Magera, MD

Allergic disease in both humans and canines is increasing worldwide. Theories explaining the rise in allergic disease include genetic and environmental factors. Reports of dogs and their human owners being allergic to the same indoor allergens emphasizes the importance of environmental allergens. In canines, allergic disease is largely limited to skin manifestations including atopic dermatitis (AD). In humans, allergy frequently presents as runny, itchy, watery eyes and nose, sneezing, cough, wheezing, hives, and/or itchy, dry skin.

The immunologic mechanisms of canine and human allergy are similar. For simplicity, an allergy is characterized by an elevation of serum IgE. The basis of allergy testing, whether performed by skin or blood tests, is to determine IgE to specific individual allergens such as dust mites, pollens, molds, or insects.

In dogs, flea saliva is a potent allergen. The bite from a single flea can trigger intense, vigorous, and continuous scratching with deeply excoriated skin, and hair loss which may be permanent. Affected areas include delicate skin around the ears, eyes, and paw pads.

Other common allergens known to drive AD include dust or storage mites, tree, grass or weed pollen, and mold spores. Interestingly, some dogs can develop an allergy to human skin dander. It is possible for dogs to develop allergies to their human owner. Seasonal allergies are generally due to high pollen exposures, while exposure to other allergens listed causes year-round symptoms.

Click here to read the complete article
256 – February, 2026

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