Best Allergy Medicines That You Can Give to Your Dog

If your pup suffers from allergies, you have likely experienced a roller coaster of emotions from concern to frustration to skepticism to grief; it is a complex and frustrating condition to manage as a pet parent, and it can leave you feeling depleted. 

The good news is that there have been many exciting advances in treating allergies, and newer medications that are highly effective at relieving your pup’s worst symptoms are available. Allergies are almost never cured but must be managed long-term ,so it is important to stay vigilant and educate yourself about the best ways to keep your pup feeling their best. Read on to learn about some of the most effective ways to help your allergic dog. 

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Main takeaways

• Dog allergies are complex, and there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to managing and treating them.

• It is very important to work closely with your veterinarian to manage flare-ups and come up with a long-term treatment approach.

• Most dogs with allergies will not be cured but will need to have ongoing treatments that include both lifestyle and medical interventions to manage their condition.

What are the symptoms of dog allergies?

Allergies in dogs include a broad category of symptoms triggered by an immune response. The basic definition of an allergy is that the body perceives a harmless substance, also known as an allergen, as a threat and launches a series of chain reactions aimed at blocking that threat.

Depending on what a dog is allergic to and how severe the allergic response is, their symptoms will manifest in different ways. The majority of dogs who have chronic allergies tend to exhibit signs of itchy and inflamed skin. This can also lead to secondary problems like ear infections, skin infections, and anal gland problems. Some dogs may also have digestive signs, including diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, and/or poor weight gain if they have a food allergy. 

Many of these symptoms are nonspecific, meaning that they could be caused by a whole lot of different conditions. You may suspect your pup’s signs are caused by an allergy when they tend to be more chronic and long-lasting, they don’t resolve within a short time frame, they follow a certain pattern such as seasonal flare-ups, and/or they have frequent and recurring episodes of the same symptoms.  

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How to diagnose dog allergies

Properly identifying and diagnosing allergies in dogs requires a thorough veterinary exam and may involve multiple tests to understand the full picture. Allergies are often suspected based on the history of ongoing or recurrent symptoms, the age of the dog, and a veterinarian’s physical exam findings. 

When it comes to understanding what a dog is actually allergic to, more specific testing is necessary. Allergy testing is one of the ways to determine what a dog is allergic to, but not all forms of allergy testing are reliable. Blood tests used to test for allergies are notoriously unreliable and should not be used to make a diagnosis. The most effective ways to test for environmental allergies are with intradermal, or skin testing, which is usually performed by a specialized veterinary dermatologist. 

When it comes to food allergies, elimination diet trials and food challenges are part of the gold standard method for diagnosis. These tests are only reliable when pet parents comply with the exact instructions for preparing their dogs for testing, and they require a consistent approach. Be sure to abide by the precise instructions your vet provides in order to prevent interference with the accuracy of these tests. 

While this may sound like a lot of hoops to jump through, in addition to a lot of expenses, it will save you money in the long run. Otherwise, pet parents end up caught in a cycle of spending a lot of money to treat each flare-up without ever getting ahead of them and preventing the next one.

Types of allergies in dogs

Like people, dogs can be allergic to just about anything. There are some broad categories for classifying allergies, including: 

Environmental allergies: This includes everything in your dog’s environment, both inside and outside the home. Some common ones include outdoor allergens like pollen and grass, while indoor allergens may include dust or goose down. It is more common for dogs with outdoor allergies like pollen to see a seasonal pattern to their flare-ups.

Food allergies: The most common food allergies in dogs are to beef, dairy, chicken, and/or wheat. There can be other less-common food allergies as well. The tricky thing about food allergies is that these ingredients are everywhere. Even when a dog’s food or treat does not list them as an ingredient, if these products are made on the same machinery as other treats or diets, they are often cross-contaminated. This means that your dog may be exposed to small amounts of these allergens even if you don’t knowingly feed them. Dogs with food allergies often have skin symptoms like itchy skin, chronic ear infections, and anal gland problems. Some dogs with food allergies also have digestive problems as well.

Flea allergies: All dogs experience extreme itchiness from fleas, but some dogs actually have an allergy to flea saliva, and this causes a much more severe reaction, known as flea allergy dermatitis, or FAD. Dogs with FAD will experience extreme signs even from just a few flea bites. You may never see the fleas that caused the problem because it doesn’t take much to cause a flare-up. These dogs may have very red, inflamed skin, extremely itchy skin, hair loss, scabs, and/or secondary skin infections. 

Contact allergies: A contact allergy results when a dog reacts to something in direct contact with their skin. This could be a topical medication, a shampoo, a material in their sweater or coat, their food or water dish, or even a detergent you use to wash their bedding. These allergies also result in signs of skin irritation, itch, and/or redness, but it is usually focused on the body parts with less fur and more exposed skin, including the belly, groin area, inside of the ears, and/or muzzle. 

Atopy: Atopy is a condition in dogs with allergic symptoms characterized by an early onset before age three, itchy skin and ears, and a genetic predisposition linked to certain breeds. To diagnose atopy, dogs must meet a list of criteria in addition to ruling out the other causes for their signs. Atopic dogs may have allergies to specific allergens, but they don’t always have a clear trigger. 

Best allergy treatments for dogs

Allergies vary from one dog to the next, so the best allergy treatment for your pup will depend on their specific condition. Your vet will tailor their treatment plan to be most effective for them.

In general, the best way to treat allergies is to keep your dog away from their allergens. This only works when they have had reliable allergy testing to know what they are actually allergic to and if it is feasible to eliminate that allergen from their life. For example, if your dog is allergic to goose down, you can certainly eliminate that from your home. However, if your dog is allergic to pollen, you won’t be able to control their exposure, no matter how cute they look in a hazmat suit. 

These are some common approaches to treating allergies; note that the majority of these are medications that are only available by prescription from your veterinarian. 

1. Apoquel (Oclacitinib) 

This drug blocks a specific enzyme target in the immune response, decreasing inflammation and itch related to an allergic response. This drug is intended for dogs who are over 12 months of age for the treatment of allergic skin disease. It should not be used in dogs who have serious infections, including the skin mite, demodex. This drug is often prescribed long-term, so be sure to clarify with your vet how long your dog should take this medication.  

2. Cytopoint 

Cytopoint is an antibody that binds to and blocks a target in the body’s pathways for itch and inflammation. This product is given as an injection by a veterinarian every four to eight weeks. It may take a few doses to reach maximum effectiveness. For some dogs, these injections may become less effective over time. It can be used in combination with other treatments as well. 

3. Atopica

Atopica is a drug that suppresses the immune system. It is used in the treatment of atopy and other allergic skin diseases as well as other autoimmune conditions. It is often used long-term, and some dogs will need to stay on the drug forever to control their symptoms. The goal is to find the lowest effective dose to control a dog’s allergic signs while minimizing side effects. Your vet may recommend slowly tapering down the dose over time. Dogs taking this medication long-term also need to have routine blood work to monitor for side effects.

4. Steroids (glucocorticoids)

Corticosteroids like prednisone can reduce inflammation and also suppress the immune system, depending on the dose. These drugs can be very effective but also have a lot of potential side effects. They are best used short-term and tapered to the lowest effective dose. They are not safe for dogs with certain underlying medical conditions or in combination with certain medications, so be sure to review all of this information with your veterinarian. 

5. Diet

Diet modification is a crucial part of treating food allergies. It is very important to follow your vet’s guidance in order to perform a proper food trial and select a diet that will actually be free of contaminants. If the diet trial is successful, your dog may need to eat a special diet long-term to avoid allergens. Be sure that the long-term diet you select is complete and balanced to provide all of the nutrients your dog needs. 

6. Immunotherapy (allergy shots)

Allergy shots are a form of desensitization therapy where microscopic amounts of allergen are injected into your dog to gradually expose them to these allergens and reduce their allergic response. This type of treatment requires a dog to have accurate allergy testing done first to know exactly which allergens to target. It is best to consult with a veterinary dermatologist to have testing and immunotherapy done. Because it can take up to one year for dogs to improve after starting allergy shots, this is part of a long-term treatment plan and will not treat a flare-up of their symptoms. 

7. Topical skin balms and natural remedies 

These treatments work best as a supplement to the other treatments listed above. When allergic dogs have a flare-up, they need more targeted, potent medications that will bring them rapid relief and treat secondary problems like skin infections. They also need more long-term treatments to prevent future flare-ups. On their own, topical products and natural remedies do not treat or prevent allergies, but they can support healthy skin and soothe mildly itchy skin. Here are a few:

Oatmeal: Finely ground oats can create a soothing product known as colloidal oatmeal, which has anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties. This can help reduce the itch for dogs experiencing a flare-up. You can find dog shampoos that are oat-based and contain colloidal oatmeal.

Baths: Bathing can help to remove allergens and microbes from the surface of the skin. Use a gentle shampoo that promotes healthy skin with ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, ceramides and/or phytosphingosine. Be sure not to bathe your dog too often, though, as this strips the skin of natural oils and dries out their skin, which may exacerbate itchiness. 

Coconut oil: Coconut oil contains fatty acids that may support healthy skin and fur, but there is no definitive research on whether coconut oil directly helps with itchy skin. Due to the high-fat content, if dogs ingest a lot of it, coconut oil can lead to weight gain, digestive upset, and/or pancreatitis. Be sure to speak with your vet before testing this one out.  

Antifungal creams: These are not recommended as they can be dangerous if dogs accidentally ingest them. If you are concerned that your dog has a yeast infection in their ears or skin, be sure to see your vet for appropriate treatment.

Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar can have a mild antimicrobial effect, so it is a way to limit the amount of bacteria and/or yeast on the surface of the skin. Dogs with allergies often have chronically inflamed skin, which can make them more at risk for secondary infections by bacteria and/or yeast. Apple cider vinegar will not treat an infection once it has taken hold, as these infections require more targeted medications. It can be useful to prevent some infections in dogs who are prone to them. You can make a solution of apple cider vinegar diluted one:one in water to clean paws, skin folds, or ears. It should not be used on open wounds or raw skin as it can sting. You’ll also have to accept that your pup will smell slightly pickled.

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How do dog allergy treatments work?

Allergy treatments work in a number of different ways but the overall goal is to reduce the immune system’s overreaction to allergens and relieve a dog’s symptoms. Many allergy treatments work by suppressing the immune system in order to limit these reactions to allergens. Others directly reduce skin inflammation. Others, like diet modification, are aimed at eliminating a dog’s exposure to allergens in the first place. Many times, dogs will benefit from a combination of different treatments to provide multimodal relief. 

Diet recommendations for allergies

Dogs with allergies often have defects in their natural skin barriers. This is because the constant cycle of inflammation damages their skin and makes it more vulnerable to secondary infections. Dogs with atopy are also believed to have genetic defects in their skin barriers. For all of these reasons, dogs with allergies can often benefit from supplements to boost their skin health. This includes: 

Fish oils

Essential fatty acids found in fish oil supplements are beneficial in improving the barrier function of the skin, retaining moisture of the skin, and improving coat quality. They also help to reduce inflammation.

Hypoallergenic dietary restrictions

For dogs with food allergies, finding an appropriate hypoallergenic diet that is completely free of their allergens is the key. It is worth reiterating that the diet must be truly hypoallergenic, meaning it must be produced on dedicated machinery to avoid cross-contamination with other products. There are many prescription diets that meet these standards, but most over-the-counter diets do not.

Probiotics and prebiotics

Probiotics provide beneficial microbes to the body. While we often think about this as an important part of digestive health, it is also important for skin health. These beneficial microbes colonize the skin, preventing pathogens like bacteria and yeast from invading. They also reduce inflammation. 

Prebiotics are fermentable fibers, like psyllium husk, that serve as nutrients for the good bacteria of the microbiome. Providing a dog with prebiotics is another way to encourage the growth of good bacteria and enhance the benefits delivered from probiotics.

FAQs

What is the best thing to give a dog for allergies? 

This depends on a dog’s specific kind of allergy. In most cases, a combination of lifestyle changes and medications will be most effective.

Is Zyrtec or Benadryl better for dogs? 

It depends. In general, antihistamines have variable effects in dogs with only about 20 percent of dogs showing significant improvement on a particular antihistamine. Different dogs may respond better to one antihistamine versus another, so if one does not seem effective, it may be worth switching to another. Not all antihistamines are safe for all dogs so consult your vet before administering them.

What human allergy medicine can dogs take? 

Some medications used in humans are also used for dogs, including antihistamines and/or steroids. It is very important not to give human medicine to a dog, however, as doses and formulations that are safe for humans could be toxic to dogs. Always consult a vet before giving your dog any medication.

References

• Brooks, Wendy. “Immunotherapy for Allergies in Dogs and Cats.” Veterinary Partner, 17 May 2023.

• Budde, James A and McCluskey, Dawn M. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook 10th Edition, Wiley-Blackwell, May 2023. 

• Cave, Nicholas. “Hydrolyzed protein diets for dogs and cats.” Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal Practice, vol. 36, no. 6, November 2006, pp. 1251-1268.

• Freeman, Lisa. “Think Your Pet has a Food Allergy? Eliminating Mistakes in Elimination Diet Trials.” Petfoodology, 4 April 2022. 

• Hensel, Patrick, et al., “Update on the role of genetic factors, environmental factors and allergens in canine atopic dermatitis.” Veterinary Dermatology, 15 October 2023.