Why is my dog shedding and itching? Could it be sudden food allergies?

Hello, sorry to hear about Jack. It sounds like he is having allergies. Allergies in dogs can be associated with the environment, food, or even fleas (flea allergy dermatitis). Make sure that Jack and any other pets are getting their monthly flea control. If he continues to itch, then he may need allergy medications which can be prescribed by your veterinarian. Have him evaluated by your veterinarian soon if his signs persists. You can also try to wipe his feet and body down 2-3 times daily especially after coming indoors with skin sensitive baby wipes. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. 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 improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

The cause of the allergy must be understood to be able to reduce and eventually stop Apoquel. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Exclusion commercial diets are the best to rule out specific allergens. A blood test is available to determine the allergy panel (which substances he is allergic to). Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

This is probably due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment, then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

From the description provided, your pet may be suffering from allergies secondary to fleas, environmental allergens such as dust, pollen, grass, or even a protein source in his diet. In addition to the food trial, it is imperative to administer the flea prevention on time every month. Even one flea bite can set off a reaction that can ultimately lead to a secondary skin infection.

Hello, I am sorry to hear about Bentley. It is possible that Bentley is experiencing environmental allergies if he is itchy and having dry/flaky skin. Another sign of environmental allergies can be licking/ chewing on paws. If Bentley continues to itch and have skin problems medications can be added to help minimize his environmental allergies. Alternatively it is possible that Bailey is having skin problems for another reason. The areas that you describe are most commonly affected in pets that are dealing with a flea problem. If you notice any dark colored debris in those areas, this could potentially be the problem. Bentley could also have a skin infection or other problem. If he continues to itch and experience dandruff I would recommend having him evaluated by a veterinarian. They may perform skin tests such as a skin scrape or impression smear to look for infection and other abnormalities. Hope this helps, good luck!

Itchy skin and hair loss is often due to the following things: 1) Allergies - this can happen suddenly and is usually due to an environmental (i.e pollen) cause. 2) External parasites - fleas, lice and mites can all cause intense itching. It's good to check him for fleas and get treatment if needed. The permethrin shampoo is only temporary, so it's possible that he is getting re- infested. He may have mites, which are microscopic and require a vet to find. 3) Over-bathing, or using the wrong product for bathing - Bathing too often can cause the skin to get dry and irritated. Dogs should normally be bathed no more than once a month with a shampoo that is labeled for dogs. If you bathe more than that, or use a shampoo or soap that is meant for people, then you could be damaging the normal protective barrier of the skin. One thing you can do for itchy skin, is give a bath with cool water using an oatmeal or aloe shampoo. You can get these shampoos at the pet store. I hope this helps you to identify the problem. If not, then it would be worth taking him to the vet. We can usually discover the cause quickly and provide the most effective treatment. Below are some links to articles that should be helpful for you: https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-tell-if-your-pet-has-allergies/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/4-great-strategies-for-relieving-your-dog-s-allergies/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/skin-allergies-vs-food-allergies/