Dry, itchy skin may be more than a simple skin problem. Environmental allergies are common, and in some cases food may also play a role. The pattern of symptoms can be an important clue.
01 — NOTICE WHAT KEEPS COMING BACK
Dry, itchy skin in dogs may be one of many signs of an environmental allergy and, in some cases, a food allergy. Symptoms may persist for a long time and come and go repeatedly.
Monday
Itchy pawsYour dog starts licking or chewing at the paws more than usual.
Wednesday
Red skinA small area looks irritated or more inflamed than before.
Weekend
Seems betterThe symptoms calm down and daily behavior looks closer to normal.
Next week
Symptoms returnItching or skin changes appear again, making the recurring pattern easier to notice.
02 — FOLLOW THE POSSIBLE TRIGGER
One of the biggest challenges when managing allergies is identifying what is actually causing the symptoms. In general, allergies fall into two main categories: environmental allergies and food allergies. Most allergic reactions in dogs are caused by environmental factors, although certain food ingredients can also trigger adverse reactions.
MORE COMMON
Recurring allergy symptoms may be triggered by environmental factors such as grass, pollen, or insect bites.
Managing environmental allergies may require a multi-faceted approach. Medication can help relieve immediate discomfort, while appropriate nutrition and dietary management may provide longer-term support for healthy skin.
LESS COMMON
Food allergies in dogs are actually quite uncommon, although some dogs can have adverse reactions to certain ingredients.
Around 10% of dogs with allergies are estimated to have food allergies.
When a food allergy is suspected, your veterinarian may recommend a food elimination trial to help identify the potential allergen.
Start with the foods and ingredients your dog is currently eating.
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Specific ingredients are removed from the diet as part of a veterinarian-guided trial.
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Skin or digestive changes are carefully evaluated to help identify a possible food-related trigger.
03 — MANAGE THE PROCESS
Managing allergies can be challenging, and the first step should always be to consult your veterinarian. They can help develop an appropriate plan that may include dietary management, oral medications, and topical treatments.
01
Track recurring skin, digestive, or respiratory changes.
02
Share the pattern with your veterinarian and discuss possible causes.
03
Dietary management, medication, or topical treatments may be recommended.
04
Watch for improvement, flare-ups, or new changes over time.
05
The care plan may need to change as your dog’s needs change.
Caring for a dog with food or environmental allergies can be stressful for both you and your furry friend. Every dog is unique, and an approach that works for one dog may not work for another. Working closely with your veterinarian is an important part of finding the right care plan.
01
Prescription diets can play an important role in long-term allergy management. The right nutrition can support healthy skin from within and help soothe allergy-related symptoms over time.
02
Depending on your dog’s condition, your veterinarian may prescribe medication to help relieve allergy-related symptoms. Do not choose or change medications on your own.
03
Shampoos, lotions, sprays, and ointments may help manage allergy-related skin problems. Always check with your veterinarian to make sure a product is suitable for your dog’s skin condition and age.
04 — UNDERSTAND NUTRITIONAL CARE
Nutritional support can look different depending on whether the concern is a food-related reaction or an environmental allergy.
Ask your veterinarian about prescription diets containing a single novel protein or hydrolyzed protein. These protein sources may be less likely to trigger an allergic reaction in some dogs and can be useful as part of a veterinarian-guided dietary management plan.
Ask your veterinarian about nutritional formulas that support the skin barrier, nourish the skin, and help maintain the skin’s ability to protect against environmental irritants.
A novel protein is a protein source that your dog has had little or no previous exposure to and that is relatively uncommon in standard pet foods.
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Under your veterinarian’s guidance, this can help reduce exposure to protein sources your dog may have consumed in the past and may be useful when identifying and managing potential food-related adverse reactions.
Hydrolyzed protein is produced by breaking down whole proteins into smaller protein fragments or peptides.
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This process is designed to reduce the likelihood that the immune system will recognize the protein and react to it.
If your dog repeatedly experiences skin or digestive problems, do not rely on guesswork alone when changing their diet. Work with your veterinarian to identify potential triggers and develop an appropriate nutrition and care plan.
