How to Tell What’s Really Making Your Dog Itchy
If your dog is constantly licking their paws, scratching at their ears, or showing red, irritated skin, it is easy to assume the problem is food. Sometimes it is, but more often, the cause is environmental.
Studies estimate that food allergies make up only 10–20 percent of allergic reactions in dogs, while the rest are triggered by factors like pollen, dust mites, mould, and grasses. Knowing the difference can save time, money, and a lot of discomfort for your dog.
What Is a Food Allergy in Dogs?
A food allergy happens when the immune system overreacts to a particular ingredient in your dog’s diet. The most common culprits are beef, chicken, lamb, dairy, and wheat, all widely used in commercial dog foods.
Common signs include:
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Chronic ear infections
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Persistent itching around the face, paws, or belly
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Soft stools, vomiting, or diarrhoea
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Excessive gas or poor coat quality
As your dog eats the same ingredients daily, these symptoms usually appear year-round and do not improve seasonally.
What Happens During a Food Allergy
When a dog has a food allergy, their immune system mistakes a harmless protein for a threat. It produces antibodies that release inflammatory chemicals such as histamine, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. This creates visible irritation or digestive upset each time the dog consumes that protein.
While proteins are the most common cause, some dogs can also react to eggs, soy, or grains. Artificial colours, flavourings, or preservatives may worsen symptoms. In rare cases, even vegetables like potatoes or carrots can trigger reactions.
The takeaway is that almost any ingredient can cause a food allergy, but most reactions are linked to common animal proteins in traditional pet foods.
What Are Environmental Allergies?
Environmental allergies, or atopic dermatitis, are caused by airborne allergens like pollen, mould, grasses, and dust mites. They function more like hay fever in humans, but dogs show symptoms through their skin rather than sneezing.
Signs often include:
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Seasonal itching, especially during spring or summer
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Paw chewing or licking after walks
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Rubbing the face on furniture or carpet
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Redness or hair loss on the belly, ears, or legs
Unlike food allergies, environmental allergies tend to fluctuate with the seasons or worsen after outdoor exposure.
How to Tell the Difference
This can be challenging, so the best approach is to work with your veterinarian. The gold standard for diagnosing a food allergy is an elimination diet. This means feeding your dog a novel, single-protein food for 8 to 12 weeks, with no treats or table scraps, and monitoring for improvement.
If symptoms clear up and return when the old food is reintroduced, the allergy is likely diet-related.
Most dogs with allergies, however, react primarily to environmental factors. Because we can control what goes in their bowl, diet is often the first area to investigate.
For suspected environmental allergies, your vet may suggest skin or blood testing to identify allergens. Managing these often involves a combination of diet, medication, and topical care.
The Role of Hypoallergenic and Novel Proteins
If your vet suspects a food allergy, switching to a novel protein, one your dog has not eaten before, can help reset the immune response. Hypoallergenic dog food made with insect protein is an excellent choice for elimination diets or ongoing feeding.
Insect protein is naturally low allergen, highly digestible, and rich in essential amino acids. It is also a sustainable protein source that uses significantly less water and land than traditional meats, aligning with an eco friendly lifestyle.
Many Australian made dog foods, such as insect protein formulations, are designed to be both hypoallergenic and sustainable, helping dogs with sensitive stomachs while lowering environmental impact.
If your dog has both food and environmental allergies, a low allergen, novel protein diet can still reduce inflammation, support gut health, and make other allergy treatments more effective.
Why Choose Insect Protein Dog Food
Insect protein dog food provides complete nutrition for adult dogs while reducing their carbon pawprint. It is high in protein, gentle on digestion, and suitable for dogs with skin sensitivities. Because insects can be farmed on food waste, they are one of the most sustainable protein sources available in Australia today.
Choosing Australian made dog food built on hypoallergenic insect protein supports local production and reduces long-distance freight emissions. It is a simple, practical way to feed your dog well and tread lightly on the planet.
Final Thought
Not every itch is a food allergy. However, when diet is part of the problem, a carefully selected hypoallergenic dog food can make all the difference. Whether your dog’s symptoms are caused by environmental triggers, food sensitivities, or a combination of both, understanding the cause is the first step toward long-term comfort and health.
For all dogs, allergy or not, feeding a novel, insect-based protein that nourishes their body and respects the planet we all share feels like a big win.
References
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Miller, W.H., Griffin, C.E., & Campbell, K.L. (2013). Muller & Kirk’s Small Animal Dermatology (7th ed.). Elsevier.
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Verlinden, A. et al. (2006). Food allergy in dogs and cats: a review. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 46(3), 259–273.
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Olivry, T. et al. (2010). Towards a comprehensive understanding of canine atopic dermatitis. Veterinary Dermatology, 21(2), 123–132.
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American Kennel Club. (n.d.). Dog Allergies: Symptoms and Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-allergies-symptoms-treatment/