Does your dog have signs of food or environmental sensitivities?
Dry itchy skin is just one of the many symptoms that may indicate your dog is experiencing a bigger problem brought on by environmental sensitivities. In rare cases, these may also be signs of food sensitivities in dogs. These signs can be long-term, recurring and should be noted to your vet.
Here are a few signs a dog might be experiencing food or environmental sensitivities.
- Red, irritated or flakey skin
- Hair loss
- Scabs, crusts or thickened skin
- Watery eyes and runny nose
- Scratching, licking and rubbing
- Bad skin odor
- Digestive upsets
(in case of food sensitivities)
What causes sensitivities in dogs?
One of the most difficult things on a dog’s path to recovery is determining what is causing their sensitivities. There are two main types of sensitivities that dogs face: food and environmental. The majority of sensitivities in dogs are from environmental causes, but certain ingredients in food can cause reactions as well.
Environmental sensitivities
Recurring signs of environmental sensitivities may be caused by grass, pollen or biting insects. They can be addressed with a multimodal approach consisting of medication to help reduce the immediate symptoms and nutrition for effective long-term management.
Grasses
Pollen
Dust Mites
Fleas
Food sensitivities
Food sensitivities in dogs are actually very uncommon — in fact, only 10% of dogs experience food sensitivities! Rarely, however, some dogs may experience reactions to certain ingredients, and they are identified through food elimination trials conducted by your veterinarian. A food elimination trial is a process of finding and removing the food ingredient causing skin issues or digestive upsets.
Managing a dog’s sensitivities
Managing a dog’s sensitivities can be a challenging process, and your first step should be visiting your veterinarian. They will help you find the right combination of nutrition, medication, and/or topicals for your dog.
Trust
Living with a dog with food or environmental sensitivities can cause you both to be restless, but the road to recovery will require time, patience and trust in your vet. Remember — just like humans, every dog is unique, and the best solution will come from working with a professional to address your pet’s specific needs. Together, you’ll get on the right track to helping your best friend feel like their best self.
Nutrition
Therapeutic nutrition plays an important role in the long-term management of sensitivities in dogs. The right nutrition can promote healthy skin from within and help alleviate your dog’s signs quickly and long-term. Even with treatment, some dogs may have recurring signs that will require adjustments along the way, and your veterinarian will be a helpful resource in managing your dog’s sensitivities.
Medication
A vet may prescribe medication to help alleviate your dog’s signs of sensitivities. If you are wondering what you can give your dog for sensitivities, only give medication as recommended by your vet.
Topicals
Topicals can be used for managing sensitivities in dogs. There are various deliveries for topicals like shampoos, lotions, sprays or ointments. Reach out to your veterinarian to ensure a specific topical is appropriate for your pet’s skin condition and life stage.
Understanding nutritional support for food and environmental sensitivities
You’ll want to ask your vet about a few things when it comes to the best dog food for food or environmental sensitivities. For food sensitivities, ask about therapeutic dog food with a single, intact animal protein or hydrolysed protein that is unlikely to cause a reaction. For environmental sensitivities ask about nutrition that can nourish and help protect from environmental irritants.
Single, intact animal protein refers to a unique protein not commonly found in pet food to help lower the risk of an adverse reaction.
Hydrolysed protein involves breaking proteins down into smaller pieces to help avoid detection by the immune system.
Time to see a veterinarian?
If you notice behavior changes or sense something is off with your dog, it may be time to schedule a vet visit.
You also may want to ask your vet if therapeutic nutrition would be appropriate for your dog. Hill's Prescription Diet foods are developed by a team of Ph.D. nutritionists and veterinarians, and require a vet recommendation for purchase. Schedule an appointment so your vet can assess your pet's health and nutritional needs.
Talk to your vet about which nutrition is right for your pet.
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Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe Dog Food
Optimal digestive health formula with prebiotic fibre. Nourishes skin & promotes a lustrous coat.
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Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Large Breed Chicken & Barley Recipe Dog Food
<p>In large bite size for large breed dogs, this highly digestible recipe is gentle on the stomach. Nourishes skin & promotes a lustrous coat.</p>
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Hill's Prescription Diet Derm Complete Wet Dog Food
Environmental/Food Sensitivities
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Hill's Prescription Diet z/d Dry Dog Food
Food Sensitivities
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Hill's Prescription Diet z/d Wet Dog Food
Skin/Food Sensitivities
