🐾 Health Matters: Allergies in Dogs

Itchy skin, upset tummies, red ears, sore paws… if your dog seems to have one thing after another, allergy might be the common thread. Allergies are sadly on the rise in our pets, but with the right care and a natural diet, there’s a lot we can do to help.

An allergy is when the immune system gets confused and reacts to something harmless - like pollen, food, or dust mites - as if it’s dangerous. These substances are known as allergens.

Unlike infections, which the body fights off, allergies cause long-term inflammation and discomfort. The immune system is stuck in overdrive, and symptoms flare up again and again.

Allergy can show up in different parts of the body, depending on what the dog is reacting to and where the inflammation takes hold.

Allergies often show up in the following ways:

Allergies in dogs can be more severe than in people. Over-the-counter antihistamines rarely help much, so vets often turn to powerful drugs that suppress the immune system.

Nobody knows exactly why allergy has become so common, but it’s likely to be a mix of modern triggers:

Many of these put pressure on the immune system. Over time, that can lead to a breakdown in tolerance and a rise in allergic reactions.

Some dogs are more likely to develop allergies if their parents had them too. It’s possible to inherit a weak or unbalanced immune system.

That said, you can’t predict with certainty that a dog will have allergies just because the parents did, and the reverse is also true. A dog might be allergic even if there’s no family history.

If your dog has been diagnosed with an allergy, it’s best not to breed from them. Responsible breeders appreciate being told, as this helps protect the health of future generations.

Most conventional treatments for allergy focus on suppressing the symptoms rather than fixing the root cause.

Drugs often used include:

These medications can offer fast relief, but they don’t address the reason your dog became allergic in the first place. And over time, long-term use can carry health risks.

Some dogs benefit from immunotherapy (also called hyposensitisation), where the dog is gradually exposed to the allergen in small doses. For some, this reduces symptoms. But it doesn’t work for everyone.

There is hope. While conventional medicine says allergy is incurable, many holistic practitioners take a different view and with good reason.

Holistic treatments aim to balance the immune system, not suppress it. They work with the body, not against it. Options include:

These therapies are often most effective when used early, before long-term drug use masks the symptoms. Many owners are amazed at the results once they switch to a natural approach.

A raw diet plays a huge role in calming allergies, even those not directly related to food. Here’s how:

If your dog has food sensitivities, you might also try an exclusion diet which means feeding just one novel protein for several weeks. It’s a great way to identify problem ingredients.

💡 Poppy’s Tip: Our SOOTHING SELECTION or SENSITIVE STARTER BOX is ideal for dogs with allergies or delicate tummies.

At Poppy’s Picnic, we’ve supported hundreds of dogs with allergies, from itchy paws to long-term digestive issues. We’ll help you:

We believe every dog deserves to feel comfortable in their own skin. And it all starts with what goes in the bowl.

Let us know if you’d like help easing your dog’s allergy symptoms or switching to a fresh raw diet. We’re here with expert support, gentle options and a tail-wagging menu of real food.