Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My dog is itchy. Is it food allergy or environmental allergy?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Female | unspayed | 60 lbs

What are some symptoms of food allergies in dogs? How are they different from environmental allergies?

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 9th, 2018

The most common sign of a food allergy in dogs is persistent, intense itching. Similarly, food allergies can lead to ear infections and recurrent skin infections. Unless a dog’s diet is changed seasonally, food allergies tend to result in year-round itching, whereas environmental allergies wax and wane throughout the year.

Vote icon

56Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Published on May 29th, 2017

    If Chloe seems to be itching more during certain times of the year, she may have allergies to something in her environment. Typically, these pets are more comfortable during the winter when allergens are decreased. If she seems itchy year round, she may have food allergies. Food elimination trials may be done to determine sensitivities. This would involve feeding one diet exclusively for a minimum of 8 weeks then reassessing Chloe's symptoms. Comprehensive allergy testing can be done to teat for environmental allergies. Typically, this testing is done with a veterinary dermatologist. If you do decide to switch her diet, do it gradually to avoid GI upset and watch for an increase in her itching and scratching.

    Vote icon

    2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My Boston Terrier has become very itchy! How can I tell if it’s food allergies or environmental allergies?
I'd have Mushu seen by a vet. Typically environmental allergies are much more common than food allergies (only 10% of dogs with allergies have a food allergy), but the vet can run tests and may suggest a diet trial to diagnose what is going on. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
What are the most common things that dogs develop allergies over?
There are many possibly allergens for dogs. We can have a flea allergy (the most common allergy in dogs), an allergy to a food ingredient (most often the protein source such as chicken, soy, dairy), or an airborne/environmental allergen such as dust mites, grasses/pollens. You can read more about allergies in dogs at https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952662 .
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Food & Nutrition
My dog has a chronically itchy butt, even after having her anal glands expressed. Lately she's also been rubbing her face on the carpet, blankets, etc. She doesn't have any gastro issues, no hot spots, ear problems or itchy paws. Could this be food-r
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. This could be either environmental or food related. Unfortunately, it is not specific to any of those possibilities. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
How do I know if my dog have allergies from the food?
Hello and thank you very much for reaching out to our service. The most common clinical symptoms of a dog who is allergic to their food have elements of gastrointestinal and dermatologic. So the gastrointestinal signs will be soft store or diarrhea off and on. The dermatologic symptoms of food allergies are licking chewing at paws, chronic ear infections, and chewing or rubbing its rear end. If your dog is displaying any of the symptoms, I urge you to take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible for them to start a 8-10 week hypoallergenic dietary trial. I hope this information has helped you. Have a great day.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Dexter gets these reactions seasonally only and it seems only after being outside. He will get them when nothing in his diet changes. What could be the causes? He gets very itchy and usually benedryl will takes care of it. If untreated, could it beco
It looks as if your dog has a skin infection, most commonly caused by an allergy, a skin mite (Demodex) or fleas. The allergy could be a due to a protein in your dog’s food or an environmental allergy like to dust, pollens, grasses, etc. The allergy causes your dog to itch and chew at the skin which breaks down the skin barrier. This then leads to infection. Skin infections are typically characterized by large areas of hair loss, redness, crusting, flaking, and pustules. A thorough skin examination by your veterinarian should be able to determine the cause of the itch so it can be treated appropriately. Your dog will most likely need antibiotics to help clear up the infection and possibly an allergy/anti-itch medication like Apoquel, Atopica, or Cytopoint to give some relief while the infection clears up. A medicated shampoo may be beneficial as well. I would also recommend he be on a good flea control routinely too. Once the infection has resolved a long term allergy medication
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I've took my German shepherd × border collie mix to the vet for her skin problems, they're not ticks, nor fleas. She had really dry skin, itches alot, I've tried giving her a better diet and come omega vitamins. Then they said it was allergies to the
Allergies can be frustrating to diagnose and treat, for the pet, the pet owner, and the veterinarian! It is the most common cause for itching in dogs. Medications like Apoquel can eliminate the itch due to allergies, though it won't work if there is a secondary bacterial or yeast infection. Food allergies won't be treated simply by a better diet, they need to be strictly on a prescription hypoallergenic diet without other dog or human treats, and even then it can take 3-6 weeks to see positive effects. Until then, anti-itch medications, steroids, or shampoos/topical mousses can be used to minimize the itch and treat any present infection. I would recommend continuing to work with your vet to find the best solution to Toes's itch issue.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
How do I know if my pet has allergies
Pets with allergies usually are itchy so they will lick and chew on their bodies, especially their paws and legs. Could also have rashes, recurrent skin infections, and ear infections. Some will have red and inflamed eyes and have respiratory issues. If it is food allergies than the pet may have some vomiting and diarrhea. Your vet could treat with an antihistamine and/or corticosteroid and see if your dog improves.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I was recently told by Recardo Fernandez, a vet on this website, that my dog may have these bums on her vaginia due to “possibly secondary to allergies” does that just mean she has allergies and this is an allergic reaction? Also if this is a cause f
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Yes, that is exactly right this is possibly due to allergies. However, I am referring more to allergies causing an ongoing reaction resulting in licking and scratching different parts of the body not just a transient allergic reaction that happens just once. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not impro
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Seeking options for dog will severe itching. He chews his paws and tail and scratched his belly. He has a Serestro collar and no fleas have been seen, nor ticks. I've tried the following - Prednisone, Apoquel, Citopoint injection. He's been allergy
If he scratches and is itchy year round, it could be a food allergy or an indoor allergen. Discuss desensitization injections (allergy shots), hydrolyzed diets, antihistamine use and food elimination trials with your veterinarian. https://www.petcoach.co/article/food-trials-for-allergies-in-pets-what-to-expect https://www.petcoach.co/article/what-is-a-novel-protein-pet-food/ https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/food-allergies/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
Our adopted dog has been having an allergic reaction to something. It's been appearing as a rash on her belly, hair loss on her paws ears and mouth, she scratches and licks these areas as well. She's an indoor dog, and we've only had her for 2 years
If this is consistent all year round I would be more suspicious of food allergies vs environmental. I would put Millie on a prescription diet that has hydrolyzed protein. That way if it works after a full 3 months then it is food allergies. During this time she can receive no other food or treats. If she does te food will not work. If it is during the seasons then there are great new medications that can be used. There is a daily pill called apoquel or a monthly injection called cytopoint. I would discuss this with your veterinarian especially if she isn't resolving. Thank you for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Food Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Allergy & Itch Relief Dog Shampoos Prescription Allergy Medicine for Dogs Sensitive Skin Dog Food Cat Allergy & Itch Relief Dry Dog Food Dog Health & Wellness Premium Dog Food Dog Food With Grain JustFoodForDogs Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief PetAlive Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Natural Remedies Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Earth Animal Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief VetriScience Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Natural Dog Company Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief HomeoPet Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Zymox Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Remedy+Recovery Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Vet's Best Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored