A big part of owning a dog is learning how to speak their language. You know that a tap on the door means they need to be let out, and a light bark at the treat jar means they think they deserve a reward (probably for being so smart). But what does it mean when your pup is excessively itching and biting at their skin, licking their paws and shaking their head? 

These are common signs of dog allergies. 

Allergies are an abnormal excessive response by the immune system to pollens, food proteins, flea saliva, molds or house dust and storage mites. So if you’re asking, “can dogs have allergies?” the answer is yes. In fact, just like humans, dogs can even inherit their allergies from their parents. 

So what do I do if my dog has allergies? 

In this post, we’ll discuss how your veterinarian treats common allergies in dogs and how to diagnose the cause of your precious pup’s symptoms.  While canine allergies are not curable, there are steps you can take to manage your dog’s symptoms so that they can get back to what’s really important—using those puppy eyes to get more treats from you. 

Diagnosing Allergies in Dogs

Unlike humans, most dogs will not experience sneezing and coughing due to allergies. Instead, their skin is usually affected. 

That’s why common symptoms of dog skin allergies include:

• Itchy skin
• Rashes
• Ear problems and infections
• Foot licking
• Anal gland problems
• Hives

If your pup is exhibiting any of these symptoms, you should take them to your vet for an accurate diagnosis of the cause of their symptoms.

Allergies or a Skin Infection?

If your precious pup is extremely itchy, their excessive scratching and licking may lead to hair loss, bumps, red spots and flaky skin. However,  allergies aren’t always the culprit for these symptoms. To determine whether your dog’s itchiness and hair loss are due to a skin infection, your veterinarian will perform a skin scrape and cytology. While these procedures might sound intimidating, don’t worry—they’re quick, non-invasive and relatively painless for your furry friend. 

Your vet will take into account the changes noted on your dog’s physical exam, along with the results of these (and possibly other) tests. You may be sent home with pills and/or topical medications to provide relief for your dog.  Sometimes, medicated shampoos are also prescribed to help speed up your dog’s recovery.

How to Treat Dog Allergy Symptoms

Now, you’re probably wondering how to treat dog allergies? Your veterinarian may recommend several medications to alleviate your pup’s painful symptoms. Depending on your dog’s unique situation, some of these medications may be used in combination with each other.

Since an allergy flare-up often will cause a skin infection due to yeast or bacteria, your veterinarian will first treat any infection that is identified on the skin cytology and/or skin scrape test. As long as the infection is present, your pup will continue to feel itchy and continue to itch/scratch/lick the uncomfortable area—prolonging the time it takes to get them healthy again! 

Treating skin infections can involve oral medications (like antibiotics or antifungal medications), topical treatments that you apply directly on the skin (such as a medicated “foam,” mousse, or ointment), medicated shampoos—or even all three at the same time. Treatment of skin infections can last up to six or eight weeks, so it’s important to follow up with your veterinarian’s recommended recheck appointments and to finish all prescriptions as directed.

Sometimes topical products, such as a medicated shampoo, will also be used for long-term control of allergy symptoms. Prescription-strength shampoos are designed to be used frequently, unlike over-the-counter options, which can dry out your dog’s skin if used too often. 

When you frequently bathe your dog using a medicated shampoo,  the amount of yeast and bacteria on the surface of your dog’s skin is reduced. This means fewer irritating microbes are able to make their way through the “holes in the cement” of your dog’s natural skin barrier (see our blog post on “Can Dogs Have Allergies?” for more on this concept!). You can begin to see how important it is for some dogs with allergies to receive frequent medicated baths!

The second step in treating your dog’s allergies is to stop the itch! Not only does this help your dog feel better right away, but stopping the itch means stopping the damage your dog is doing to their skin barrier by licking, scratching or chewing. Overall, this leads to faster healing—and more comfort for your pup! 

Many pet owners ask about using antihistamines for their dogs. While your veterinarian may recommend these medications for mild cases of itchiness, they are often not sufficient to give relief during a significant allergy flare-up. Instead, your veterinarian will likely turn to prescription medications. 

Some commonly prescribed medications include:

• Flea Prevention—Why in the world are we talking about fleas? Well, because flea allergy is far and away the most common allergy in dogs! For this reason, veterinarians typically recommend year-round prescription-strength flea control in ANY dog with repeated skin infections and allergies. Some prescription flea preventatives need to be given once a month, and some last for up to three months at a time. Ask your veterinarian which choices are most effective for your local area. 

• Oclacitinib or Apoquel® – This versatile, highly-effective medication is used in many cases of dog allergies. It works by stopping the chain reaction that occurs when a dog is exposed to an allergen—directly reducing the pathway towards inflammation and itchiness, as well as relieving the sensation of itch. 

During an allergy flare-up or itchy skin infection, your veterinarian may prescribe Apoquel twice daily to control your dog’s itch or to resolve a skin/ear infection more quickly. In dogs with chronic allergies and frequent flare-ups, it can be used once a day as needed—during your dog’s itchy season (if they suffer from environmental allergies), during a flare-up, or—for dogs with severe allergies—all year round. 

While side effects are very rare, they can include an upset stomach (vomiting or diarrhea), and your veterinarian may want to monitor your pup’s bloodwork if they are on it for months at a time. Apoquel is for use in dogs one year of age and older and is not intended to be used in dogs who have been diagnosed with cancer.

• Cytopoint® – We’ve all had plenty of experiences with dogs who refuse to take pills—and for those pets, Cytopoint is a great option! Cytopoint is an injection administered by your veterinarian under the skin (just like a vaccine). This “allergy shot” works by blocking the sensation of itchiness from reaching your dog’s brain. What does this mean? Less licking, scratching, chewing and scooting! 

Its anti-itch effects last an average of four weeks, but in some lucky dogs, it can last up to two months. This means effectively breaking the itch cycle. In some dogs, this medication can start working in as little as 24 hours. Many dogs will receive this injection every 4 weeks during their allergy season or during a bad allergy flare-up. Few side effects have been reported, and it is safe for dogs of all ages. 

• Corticosteroids – This type of medication is used in patients who have a significant amount of swelling, inflammation or pain associated with their allergy symptoms. Steroids remain the quickest way to relieve the symptoms associated with severe allergies, but they are not used for long-term control due to their side effects. Each patient is different, but many times, pups will have increased thirst, urination, appetite and panting while on steroids. With long-term use, problems with the liver and joints can occur, too. 

However, this type of medication is less expensive than Apoquel and Cytopoint, so it remains a good choice for short-term use in those patients for whom the more expensive options are cost-prohibitive. Most dogs usually need a tapering dosage, so always ask your veterinarian before discontinuing any type of medication. 

• Atopica® (cyclosporine)– This medication is more of a long-term solution to your pup’s allergy problems. It works by targeting a very specific portion of the immune system that is responsible for your dog’s allergies and takes about four weeks to take effect once you start giving it to your pup daily. It is often prescribed in conjunction with some of the shorter-acting allergy medications (such as Cytopoint) to give your dog relief until Atopica can start being effective. Atopica can cause vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. Your veterinarian may recommend monitoring your dog’s bloodwork while on this medication to make sure there are no effects on your dog’s liver or kidneys. 
• Fatty Acid Supplements—While not very helpful in the midst of a severe allergy flare, fatty acid supplements can help your dog’s allergies if used daily for a long period of time. These fatty acids seal up the “cracks” in your dog’s skin barrier from the inside—creating a more healthy skin surface and minimizing the chance that allergens and microbes sneak beneath the surface of the skin! This leads to less inflammation and less severe episodes of itching and skin infections when your dog is exposed to an allergen. Your veterinarian can provide the most well-tested and specific fatty acid supplements designed for dogs. Sometimes, your veterinarian may recommend that fatty acids are provided by a prescription dog food specifically formulated and tested to maximize the health of your dog’s skin.

How Can Allergies Be Cured?

Of all the available allergy treatment methods, immunotherapy is the only treatment that can actually CURE your dog’s allergies. Immunotherapy is started AFTER performing allergy testing (see below), and a vaccine is formulated specifically for your dog—and ONLY your dog! By exposing your dog to tiny amounts of their allergens over time and slowly increasing their dosage, immunotherapy trains your dog’s immune system to NOT react to these allergens when they are encountered in your dog’s daily life. Immunotherapy is successful in about 70-80% of patients, and it takes a year of treatment to determine whether your pup will be one of those lucky dogs. You should be prepared for this financial and time commitment before pursuing this option with your veterinarian. 

Immunotherapy can either be given orally or by injection. Since the treatment works by exposing your dog to the allergen, your pup may experience a reaction to the vaccine during the process—but this is usually temporary and easily treated. Some dogs can actually stop immunotherapy treatment after 2-3 years because their symptoms have abated. 

If your veterinarian suspects your dog’s allergies may benefit from immunotherapy, they’ll need to figure out exactly which allergens your pet is allergic to. 

This is done in one of two ways: 

• Intradermal skin testing – For this allergy test, your dog will be given a sedative, and the hair on their side and abdomen will be shaved. A veterinary dermatologist will then inject small amounts of different allergens under your dog’s skin and monitor the response (such as raised welts in the spot of the injections). This test is considered the “gold standard” of allergy testing. It usually requires referral to a veterinary dermatologist, since very few general practitioner veterinarians have the equipment and training to administer this test. Intradermal skin testing is the most accurate way to test for environmental allergens.

• Serum allergy testing – This test is less invasive than intradermal skin testing, since it requires only a simple blood draw that any veterinarian can do. Your dog’s blood is analyzed by a special laboratory, and their individual allergens are identified. It is highly accurate but can occasionally miss a few of your dog’s specific allergies. 

Once these tests are performed, your vet will be able to recommend the best allergen-specific immunotherapy for your dog, order a vaccine formulated specifically for your pup and discuss a schedule with you to provide the immunizations. 

How to Prevent and Minimize Your Dog’s Allergy Flare-Ups:

In addition to any allergy treatments recommended by your veterinarian, there is a lot that YOU can do as a pet owner to help your allergic pup! These strategies can reduce how frequently your dog’s flare-ups occur and how severe they become. 

Sometimes, the best way to treat allergies in dogs is to avoid the offending allergens altogether. 

Keeping allergens away from your pup is easy if you do the following:

• Use human house dust mite preventatives on mattresses and pillows
• Wash dog bedding once a week
• Wash dog food bowls in hot water
• Keep grains, pasta, and pet food in their original packaging in an airtight container
• Limit your dog’s outside exposure when pollen counts are high
• Limit exposure after grass is mowed (as this kicks up pollen)
• Change your clothing and shoes after mowing 
• Wipe your dog’s paws with a wet washcloth when they come inside, or rinse their feet and pat dry
• Bathe your dog often, following it with a cool water rinse. Let them air dry, or pat them down with a towel. (Do not use a hairdryer. Avoid aggressively rubbing your dog during and after the bath.) Note: your veterinarian may recommend a specific prescription shampoo and bathing frequency to help your pup.
• Make sure your dog is up to date on prescription-strength flea prevention to prevent exposure to flea saliva

Treat the Allergies to Treat Your Dog

Dog allergies are nothing to sneeze at. They can be incredibly uncomfortable for your furry friend. If you notice excessive itching, licking, biting or head shaking, it may mean your dog is trying to tell you—help; I have allergies! 

Properly diagnosing your dog’s allergies is the first step to providing them some much-needed relief. With avoidance and vet-prescribed treatment geared to your dog’s individual needs, you can effectively manage their symptoms. This means they can get back to cuddling, playing, exploring and of course, begging for those well-deserved treats. 

If you have any questions or concerns about your pup’s allergies, chat with one of the vets from AskVet today! We’re here 24/7 for all your puppy needs to help your pup live a long, healthy, allergy-free life.

Written by:

Allison Ward, DVM
Dr. Allison Ward grew up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. and started working in veterinary hospitals when she was 14 years old. After graduating from veterinary school in 2011, she completed a small animal rotating internship in New Jersey, followed by a neurology/neurosurgery internship in Miami. After completing this advanced training, Dr. Ward then moved on to general small animal practice. Dr. Ward’s professional interests include feline medicine, neurology, and pain management. Her passion for educating pet owners carries over into her work with AskVet, and she loves being able to help pets and their parents at all times of the day (and night!). She currently resides in sunny south Florida with her two cats, Larry and George.

You might be wondering, “Can dogs get allergies?” and the answer is yes! We’ve already discussed that dog allergies are a common cause of concern for pet owners. After all, allergies in dogs can cause itchy, uncomfortable skin, hair loss, skin or ear infections and more! If you notice that your dog is scratching more than usual, shaking their head a lot, or chewing on their skin rather than their chew toy, he or she may be combating allergies. As vets, we receive questions about dog allergies every day, and one of the most common is, “what is my dog allergic to?”  

The short answer: dogs can be allergic to anything you can be allergic to, too! From insect bites to ragweed pollen, household cleaners to something in their diet, your dog’s immune system can develop a sensitivity to anything they encounter and have an allergic reaction. Since we can’t place your sweet little pooch in a bubble for their entire life, read on for the most common dog allergens—and how to minimize your pet’s exposure to whatever has your furry friend itching up a storm.  

#1 Fleas

Fun fact: a flea allergy is far and away the most common allergy in dogs. Over 50% of dogs with allergies will be allergic to flea saliva—and when a flea bites an allergic dog, severe itchiness ensues. How do dogs get fleas? Unfortunately, fleas are extremely common in environments all around the country (see our blog post about fleas for more). However, this is one of the few allergens that pet owners can effectively eliminate from causing your dog to be itchy and miserable.  

To help keep your dog and home free of fleas, you need two lines of defense:

• Prescription-strength flea prevention – Although over-the-counter flea preventatives work fairly well in most parts of the country, they are usually not effective enough for pups suffering from flea allergy. Just one flea bite can leave an allergic pup itchy for two whole weeks—so it’s important to protect them with reliable and effective prescription-strength flea control. These products are tested to be safe, and are available in chewable tablets or topical drops that are administered once a month or every three months. Ask your veterinarian what products work best for your local area’s flea population.  
• A clean home and yard – Fleas love to hide in overgrown grass and shrubs. By maintaining your yard, you’ll lessen the chance of a flea infestation.  

If fleas do get inside, they can quickly establish a lovely environment to create…more fleas! The best way to prevent this from occurring is to frequently vacuum your carpets and upholstered furniture, and make sure to wash your bedding every other week. Surprise—once your dog is on prescription-strength flea prevention, they will also serve as a “living flea vacuum” to help prevent a true flea infestation in your home. That’s a win-win for both you and your pup! 

#2 Pollen/Grass

Just like with people, pollens and grasses are common dog allergens. Unfortunately, pollens can be especially troublesome if they are directly inhaled or contacted by your dog. Be on the lookout for dog allergy symptoms to identify clues that your dog has allergies to things they come in contact with.

How would your beloved pooch come in contact with pollen? The same way your car is covered with pollen during certain times of the year! It falls from trees and even gets blown down the street. Once your dog walks through grass coated with pollen, or lays down for a good roll, they may be exposed to an environmental allergen that causes itchiness, skin rashes, and more.

To that end, these plants are the biggest culprits for pollen allergies:

• Trees – Trees generally start to bloom in the early spring. That’s when their pollen levels are peaking. Plus, some trees naturally have higher pollen levels than others. These include cedar, juniper, birch, elm, oak, walnut, and willow trees. In the southeastern United States, veterinarians know that mango trees are a common culprit for dog allergies!
• Grasses – Pollens for grasses can be bi-seasonal. While grass begins to bloom in the spring, it can sometimes drop off in the hottest months of the summer before surging again in the early fall. The types of grass that most often cause allergies are Bermuda, Bahia, brome, bluegrass, meadow fescues, and timothy grass. 
  
• Weeds – Weed pollen typically reaches its peak in the fall. In the winter, freezing temperatures kill annual weeds and reduce pollen count. Ragweeds and Chenopods can be major sources of allergens. 

Since pollen can be carried over long distances by the wind, it’s impossible to entirely eliminate the presence of this allergen around your home. Instead, try limiting your dog’s outdoor time when pollen counts are high. 

Here are some other tips to minimize your dog’s exposure to pollens or grasses: 

• Keep your dog off of your lawn for at least an hour after mowing
• Bathe your dog regularly to remove any pollen from the fur and skin
• Wipe your dog’s feet, groin, and armpit areas with a damp cloth when they come in from outside. This physically removes many of the residues from grass and pollen that might otherwise stay on the surface of their skin, and breaks the cycle of inflammation and itchiness. 

#3 Dust Mites and Storage Mites 

You might be familiar with dust mites and storage mites when evaluating your own allergies. Many people are already aware that mites are plentiful in all homes—and just like you (are you noticing the theme?), your dog can be allergic to them, too. But if you can’t even see dust and storage mites, how do you get rid of them? 

Dealing with Dust Mites

While you may not be able to see dust mites, you can follow these steps to ensure they don’t wreak havoc on your home:

• Use mattress and pillow barriers
• Wash your dog’s bedding in hot water
• Dry your dog’s bedding in the dryer on high for at least 20 minutes
• Vacuum and replace your furnace or air conditioning filters often

Dealing with Storage Mites

Storage mites feed on the mold that grows on food. They’re most frequently found in foods made with grains like flour, cereals, and dry pet foods. 

Here are some ways to keep storage mites at bay:

• Keep these types of food stored in airtight containers 
• Buy your dog food in smaller quantities (about enough to last you 30 days). This prevents storage mites from having the time to reproduce and infest the food.

#4 Molds

We all know that breathing in mold is bad for our health, and the health of our dogs. Not only can molds cause sneezing and watery eyes, but if your dog is allergic to molds, they can also lead to the classic symptoms associated with dog allergies. 

Indoor mold growth most commonly occurs in warm, dark, humid environments—which means that bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements are common offenders. Mold can also contaminate air conditioning filters and ducts, as well as evaporative coolers. 

To minimize the risk of this allergen in your home:

• Make sure bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements are properly ventilated with exhaust fans
• Change your filters and evaporative cooler pads frequently 
• Use a HEPA filter or air-purifying filter to improve your home’s air quality 

Mold can also grow in outdoor areas. Since mold usually collects near the ground, it can be dispersed into the air when you mow your lawn. To keep your dog from inhaling or coming into contact with this pesky fungus, make sure you wipe your dog’s paws off when they come inside. It’s also a good idea to limit your dog’s access to freshly mowed lawns.

#5 Cleaners and Detergents 

Many household products—like cleaners and detergents—can cause sensitivities in canines. Again, just like people, dogs can be allergic to any of the common substances we use to keep our homes clean and fresh. In addition to cleaners and detergents, other products that may lead to allergy or respiratory symptoms in your dog are:

• Air fresheners 
• Floor cleaners (just think of how much time your dog is in contact with the floor!)
• Detergents and fabric softeners
• Shampoos and conditioners 
• Scented candles
• Essential oils
• Cigarette smoke

Limiting your use of these products inside will have a huge impact on your dog’s skin and respiratory health. Better yet, REPLACE these products with hypoallergenic products when possible. Using hypoallergenic laundry detergents and fabric softener when you wash any of your dog’s bedding, and using hypoallergenic floor cleaners are two easy ways to minimize your dog’s exposure to something they might be allergic to!

#6 Food 

Finally, let’s talk about everyone’s favorite allergen…FOOD! While many pet owners assume that food is the cause of their dog’s allergies, only ten to twenty percent of dogs with allergies are allergic to something in their diet or have a food intolerance. Shocking, right? It’s not nearly as common as your local pet store employee might want you to think! 

Even more surprising, dogs are very rarely allergic to fillers, corn, or grains in their diet. If a dog has a food allergy, it is almost certainly an allergy to a protein source. Chicken is the most common dog food allergen, for the simple reason that it is the most common protein that dogs eat in today’s commercial diets. 

Other possible protein allergens in your dog’s diet include beef, lamb, venison, salmon, or turkey. Dogs who have a food allergy typically experience some level of itchiness all year round. If they are also allergic to anything in their environment, then they can have seasonal flare-ups, too! 

Some dogs are so allergic to a particular protein that ANY residue of that protein can trigger their allergy symptoms—such as itchy paws, skin irritation, ear infections, or a skin infection. Over-the-counter limited ingredient diets have been found to have residues of other protein sources (in addition to the protein listed on the bag) about 80% of the time. 

For this reason, the ONLY way to diagnose your dog with a food allergy is to feed a special hypoallergenic diet or limited-ingredient prescription food to your dog for two to three months. These diets are made in facilities that are sterilized, cleaned, swabbed, and tested to ensure that NO other protein residues are present in the food. 

Performing a successful food trial is tougher than it sounds. During the trial, if ANYTHING else passes your dog’s lips (like table scraps from a well-meaning houseguest, or food dropped from a toddler’s high chair), the “clock” for the food trial starts over. Needless to say, a food trial is not possible in every household, and each member of the household has to be diligent about sticking to the rules of the food trial in order for it to be successful. 

However, if your dog DOES have a food allergy, then you can completely eliminate their exposure to an offending allergen. This means that food is the only allergen on our list, other than fleas, that you could have almost complete control over! 

If you think your dog might have a food allergy, talk to your vet about whether or not a food trial is right for your pup. Our veterinarians can also help you determine the likelihood of success with a food trial, or answer your questions about the logistics of performing one in your household

Combating Common Dog Allergies

While it’s impossible to completely avoid most of the common dog allergies, you can use these strategies to minimize how often your dog’s allergy flare-ups happen, and how severely they are affected when they do experience an episode. Our veterinarians are available around the clock 24/7 to help you address your dog’s allergy symptoms and learn how to treat dog allergies.

By taking these steps, you can help keep your furry friend comfortable, happy, and symptom-free. An allergy-free pup is a happy pup, and a happy pup is a happy you. 

All you have to do is AskVet. 

Written by:

Allison Ward, DVM
Dr. Allison Ward grew up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. and started working in veterinary hospitals when she was 14 years old. After graduating from veterinary school in 2011, she completed a small animal rotating internship in New Jersey, followed by a neurology/neurosurgery internship in Miami. After completing this advanced training, Dr. Ward then moved on to general small animal practice. Dr. Ward’s professional interests include feline medicine, neurology, and pain management. Her passion for educating pet owners carries over into her work with AskVet, and she loves being able to help pets and their parents at all times of the day (and night!). She currently resides in sunny south Florida with her two cats, Larry and George.

At AskVet, some of the most common questions we receive from pet owners are, “Why is my dog licking and scratching so much?” and “Does my dog have allergies?” While we can’t diagnose your dog with allergies over the internet, we’d like to share with you why the answers to both of these questions may be related and what may be causing your dog’s symptoms. What does your AskVet veterinarian want you to understand about dog allergies? Keep reading for the answer! 

So, can dogs have allergies? Many dogs DO suffer from allergies—however, their symptoms are different from what we humans typically experience, and it’s important to understand there are a wide variety of dog allergy symptoms! Put simply, while we humans usually associate watery eyes, sneezing, and coughing with allergies—our allergic dogs most often suffer from itchy skin instead.

A Peek into Dog’s Immune System

What does the term “allergy” even mean, anyway? Hold that thought! First, it’s important to understand a bit about your dog’s immune system. When your dog’s body is confronted with something that might be harmful—like a virus or bacteria—the immune system swoops into action to defend your pup. This involves the coordination of many different cells, and they communicate with each other via signals called “cytokines.” Most of the time, these cells are able to prevent skin and other infections using some incredibly coordinated biological teamwork to keep your dog healthy. 

In a dog with allergies, however, portions of this immune response start when your dog’s body is exposed to something that they are allergic to, but is NOT otherwise harmful to your dog—things like pollen, dust mites, mold spores, and flea bites are common dog allergies.  Each of these is an environmental allergen that your dog encounters in normal daily life.

Understanding Allergens

“Allergen” refers to ANY substance your dog is exposed to that triggers an internal allergic response. Each allergic dog will have different allergens that trigger a response—just like some people are allergic to dogs, or ragweed, or certain foods.

When exposed to an allergen, your dog’s immune system sends a “Mayday!” signal to the rest of his body. The response to this call for help can be dramatic! After all, his immune system THINKS that it has identified something harmful to him. An army of cells is activated and they quickly start mounting a “defense” to this harmless intruder. Unfortunately, this involves a chain reaction of inflammation, swelling, redness, and itchiness. Your poor dog can be pretty miserable with these symptoms, but fortunately, your dog’s symptoms and allergic response is not life-threatening. 

If you notice facial swelling, sudden hives/raised red welts on your dog’s skin, or difficulty breathing, please have a veterinarian evaluate your dog in person immediately, as this can be due to a different type of life-threatening allergic reaction. 

The bottom line is that something that is not actually unhealthy for your dog becomes the trigger for an uncomfortable medical condition.

Why Does My Dog Have Allergies?

Why does a certain dog’s immune system seem to go haywire in the presence of (otherwise innocent) allergens? Many pet owners are worried that they “did something” that caused their pet to develop allergies—whether it be by feeding them a certain food, or using a certain unmedicated or medicated shampoo. This is not only untrue, it’s actually impossible! Our veterinarians want you to know: you did not do anything to cause your dog to develop allergies. This isn’t your fault! 

Just like people, your dog’s allergies can be seen as just bad luck. ANY dog can develop allergies, and most have their first episode of allergies between 1 and 5 years of age. However, it’s important to note that dogs can develop a food allergy or food intolerance to food proteins at any age, so definitely keep an eye on your dog’s skin–regardless of how old they are.  

Genetics play a large role in whether your dog will develop allergies. You probably know that genes control the length of a dog’s muzzle or the shortness of a dog’s haircoat. Did you know that genes for allergies and other medical conditions can be passed down from generation to generation? This fact, combined with the high prevalence of inbreeding in the dog world—generations of inbreeding have created the dog breeds we know and love today—means that purebred dogs are much more likely to suffer from allergies. The genetic predisposition to allergies is called “atopy” in medical terms, and you may hear your veterinarian use this word from time to time if your dog suffers from itchy skin or other symptoms.

Dog breeds that are frequently seen in veterinary hospitals for allergies include Labrador Retrievers, English Bulldogs, Pit Bulls, West Highland White Terriers (“Westies”), Golden Retrievers, and French Bulldogs. 

Talk to a Trusted Vet

If you think your dog’s symptoms may be due to allergies, your AskVet veterinarian is happy to discuss the possibility of a pet allergy with you! If your veterinarian has diagnosed your dog with allergies, we can help you understand what might be making your dog uncomfortable, clarify what allergies might mean for your dog, or just answer any general questions you might have about how to treat dog allergies. 

While allergies are a lifelong condition, there are many treatments available. Your AskVet veterinarians are here to help you provide your dog a long, comfortable life!

Written by:

Allison Ward, DVM
Dr. Allison Ward grew up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. and started working in veterinary hospitals when she was 14 years old. After graduating from veterinary school in 2011, she completed a small animal rotating internship in New Jersey, followed by a neurology/neurosurgery internship in Miami. After completing this advanced training, Dr. Ward then moved on to general small animal practice. Dr. Ward’s professional interests include feline medicine, neurology, and pain management. Her passion for educating pet owners carries over into her work with AskVet, and she loves being able to help pets and their parents at all times of the day (and night!). She currently resides in sunny south Florida with her two cats, Larry and George.

The sky is blue … water is wet … and fleas love dogs! Why do fleas love our pets so much? The warmth of their bodies, the deep lush fur for hiding and egg-laying, and the plentiful opportunity for meals make dogs and cats the ideal host for those pesky external parasites. 

Where Do Fleas Come From? 

Fleas are naturally found in the outdoor environment, especially areas that boast humid, temperate, and shady climates (I’m looking at you Florida, the southern and gulf coast states, and you too California!). Even if you don’t live in one of these flea hotspots, you’re not off the hook! Fleas can thrive virtually everywhere — including indoors. Beachgoers, dog park aficionados, and road-tripping pets frolicking in environments all over the country are especially at risk for bringing them back home, but that’s not all of the ugly truth. While fleas thrive and perpetuate on wild and outdoor animals and in locations where animals congregate, they can also hitch a ride on our pets during outdoor jaunts. Fleas are — wait for it — quite “smart,” and have even adapted to find their way indoors via humans, as we bring their tiny eggs inside on our shoes, clothing, and personal items. Fleas and skin problems resulting from fleas are so common that veterinarians will often incorporate the question, “is your dog on a monthly prescription-strength flea control product currently?” for every dog that is itchy or is being assessed for skin problems.

Does My Pet Need Flea Protection?

Our veterinarians are constantly fielding questions – and addressing some common misconceptions – about fleas …

My dog stays primarily indoors so he does not need flea prevention, is this true?

My dogs are on flea prevention monthly but my indoor cats don’t need it because they never go outdoors, right?

Aren’t fleas only a problem in the warmer summer months?

I don’t SEE fleas on my dog so this cannot be a flea problem, correct?

First things first, if your dog is a dog, and your cat is a cat, fleas have their feelers out for them! Fleas have devised some sort of incredible evolutionary-arthropod-intelligence to perpetuate their species and seek out your pet’s fur, whether they live entirely indoors, or just step out onto the balcony for a grass patch potty break (which, I might add, we do encourage taking your pup for multiple daily outdoor walks in the environment for their mental and physical well-being!). Our veterinarians recommend that ALL PETS in the household (indoor cats included) be given a prescription-strength flea control all year long, as recommended by your family veterinarian and based on your local flea behavior.

We established earlier that fleas tend to thrive in warmer, more humid temperatures and that flea allergies tend to flare during the summer months. However, your veterinarians see the fallout from fleas all year long — especially since fleas can create a perfect thriving life cycle inside your home too, no matter what the weather is outdoors! Yes, that is right: fleas share our love for 75-degree environments, and once they find their way inside your home and feed on your pets, one female flea can produce 50+ eggs per day! With the complete flea life cycle from egg to adult-only taking about 3 weeks in its entirety, you can imagine how quickly your home’s flea population can explode into a full-fledged flea infestation! 

Evidence of Fleas

So now this brings us to the question: How do I know if my dog has fleas? Another concept that seems to surprise Pet Parents is that just because you don’t SEE fleas, does not mean they are not there, wreaking havoc on your dog’s skin and coat! WHAT!? Yes!!! Fleas are small, clever, and FAST! Dogs are even faster at locating them, chewing them off, and destroying the evidence. A flea allergy in dogs (a severe allergic reaction to the protein in flea saliva) causes them to be even faster at ridding their body of fleas due to the intense skin reaction that they are feeling from even just one flea bite. 

Veterinarians are well trained in looking for the clues that fleas leave behind; namely examining the patterns of hair loss and irritation on a dog’s coat and skin, evaluating the areas where your dog is itching most, finding sneaky fleas with our magical flea combs, and identifying tapeworms in a fecal sample (the result of fleas swallowed by an infested dog). In combination with all of these signs, the biggest hint of all is the usage or absence of monthly prescription-strength flea prevention! So, if you’re looking for how to get rid of fleas on dogs, the first step is a flea prevention medication. 

Talk to a Trusted Vet

If you find yourself and your pup struggling with a potential flea infestation, you have come to the right place! The collective years of experience of our AskVet Veterinarians have us ready to tackle all of your flea queries and troubleshoot all potential causes of your dog’s skin issues. No dog or cat should suffer from a flea-related skin problem with all of the safe and effective products at our fingertips today. With the assistance of flea product recommendations by your family vet, we can help get your pet on track for an external parasite-free long and happy life!

Our AskVet Veterinarians are available to discuss all of your pet’s needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you have an immediate need or are looking to improve your pet’s overall wellbeing, just sign into your account and one of our friendly and knowledgeable veterinary experts will attend to your needs, no appointment required!

Written by:

Alexa Waltz, DVM

Dr. Waltz was raised near the beaches of Southern California but has spent her adult life living all over the beautiful United States while serving in the military and as a military spouse. She left California for the first time to pursue a career as a veterinarian at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She was accepted into the US Army Health Professionals Scholarship Program during vet school and upon graduation spent her military years as a veterinarian in San Diego working for the US Marine Corps and US Navy Military Working Dog programs as well as caring for pets of service members. After her military service, she became a civilian veterinarian and continued as a small animal general practitioner at clinics in California, Rhode Island, Colorado, and Maryland. Dr Waltz loves to see her “in person” patients just as much as communicating with and assisting pet parents virtually on AskVet. Dr Waltz is also a Mom to 3 humans, 2 guinea pigs, and 1 Australian Shepherd and in her spare time she loves traveling, adventures, exercising, and doing just about anything out in nature!

How does a flea allergy differ from your dog just having fleas? For some unlucky dogs, fleas are more than just a nuisance; they actually cause a severe and uncomfortable allergic reaction in their skin! Dogs with flea allergies need their pet parents to be extra vigilant, but with the safe and effective flea prevention products that we have available today, flea allergies are completely manageable if even preventable!

How Does a Teeny Tiny Flea Cause an Allergy?

When a flea bites a dog they inject some saliva into the dog’s skin. Normally, flea saliva is harmless to the average dog, and some dogs can even be covered with fleas and not seem to be bothered much at all! However, flea saliva contains a protein that in some dogs causes a severe allergic reaction when it breaches the dog’s skin barrier. This explains why some poor flea-allergic dogs can have severe skin issues, even if they only have 1 or 2 fleas! 

Dogs with a flea allergy are extremely hypersensitive to the bite of even one single flea! Their immune system overreacts, triggering an inappropriate inflammatory response, resulting in excessive itching, nibbling, hair loss, scabs, redness, and skin infections. Yep, dogs can get allergies, and a flea allergy is the most common type! Typically, flea allergies are diagnosed in dogs between 1-5 years of age, and dogs that have environmental or food allergies can be more prone to a flea allergy as well.  

Why Don’t I See Fleas on My Dog?

So, how do dogs get fleas and how can you detect them? How could the itching, scratching, nibbling, and hair loss be related to fleas if pet parents can’t see any crawling around? Veterinarians are experts at deciphering the somewhat subtle signs that different allergies and skin conditions will leave for us. Your geographic location (warm, humid temps = flea country), patterns of itching and hair loss, thinning hair over the rump and tailhead region, and especially the lack of application of a monthly prescription-strength flea control product are some of the top clues that will lead us in the direction of a flea allergy diagnosis. Occasionally during physical exams, we are lucky enough to flea comb just the right spot to produce a flea culprit, or some “flea dirt” (black sandy looking flea poop) in order to tell if your dog has fleas. But sometimes, like you, we cannot find a single flea either! This does not mean that they are not behind the whole production though. Dogs with flea allergies are so sensitive and tormented by the bite of a single flea (sometimes even for weeks), they will immediately find that flea, nibble it off and get rid of the evidence. Sometimes they are so bothered and distraught, they will take skin and hair with it! 

Dogs with a flea allergy tend to excessively self-groom, removing all evidence of a flea infestation but leaving behind the damaged, unhealthy, and inflamed skin. Typically, specific skin allergy tests are not used to diagnose a flea allergy – your vet might perform some other skin tests to rule out different parasites and infections, but the signs and physical exam findings often speak for themselves. A positive response to flea treatment (meaning, the skin problem improves and resolves once flea prevention is applied) will also support the diagnosis of a flea allergy. 

Does Just the Dog With the Allergy Need Flea Prevention?

If the other dogs and cats in the home seem fine … why do they need flea treatment too? The cats don’t even go outdoors!? The most effective and important aspect of controlling a flea allergy in your dog is simple: prevent fleas from gaining access! In order to completely avoid flea bites and prevent a flea infestation from procreating in the interior home environment, it is essential that all opportunities for fleas to feed and reproduce are taken away. If the flea allergic dog is the sole recipient of monthly prevention, the other unprotected animals in the home are free and available for a flea field day, including hosting female fleas who will lay 50+ flea eggs per day! Fleas see dogs and cats as gracious and welcoming hosts, and our homes as a wonderful place to raise their gigantic families … unless ALL the pets are protected monthly as recommended by our veterinarians as well as your family veterinarian!  When a flea allergy is diagnosed, your vet will detail for you how to get rid of fleas on your pup; including plans for starting all pets in the home on a prescription-strength flea prevention treatment, cleaning the home environment, and treating with medication any severe skin inflammation or infection arising from the intense itching. 

Talk to a Trusted Vet

With the wonderful, safe and effective flea prevention products on the market today, all dogs and cats in the home should be treated as directed for their own health and well-being, as well as to protect any other animals in the home–especially if they are unfortunate sufferers from a flea allergy. If you have any additional questions about your flea allergic pet, or about fleas and allergies in general, our veterinarians at AskVet are ready to chat anytime!

Written by:

Alexa Waltz, DVM

Dr. Waltz was raised near the beaches of Southern California but has spent her adult life living all over the beautiful United States while serving in the military and as a military spouse. She left California for the first time to pursue a career as a veterinarian at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She was accepted into the US Army Health Professionals Scholarship Program during vet school and upon graduation spent her military years as a veterinarian in San Diego working for the US Marine Corps and US Navy Military Working Dog programs as well as caring for pets of service members. After her military service, she became a civilian veterinarian and continued as a small animal general practitioner at clinics in California, Rhode Island, Colorado, and Maryland. Dr Waltz loves to see her “in person” patients just as much as communicating with and assisting pet parents virtually on AskVet. Dr Waltz is also a Mom to 3 humans, 2 guinea pigs, and 1 Australian Shepherd and in her spare time she loves traveling, adventures, exercising, and doing just about anything out in nature!

Although you may be a dog owner that believes your pet is too cute and your home too clean to ever host a flea, you might want to reconsider if you have noticed your pup itching and scratching lately! Once you and your veterinarian have determined that your dog has fleas, or you just want to be sure you never have the unpleasant experience of dealing with a flea infestation, keep reading for some tips on how to treat and prevent fleas on dogs! 

It has long been established that fleas are common external parasite pests that are constantly on the hunt to locate and feed on your dog and cat. If you are currently combatting a flea infestation, and especially if your dog has a flea allergy, you probably know that it can be quite unpleasant for both the pet and the pet’s family. Have no fear though, our AskVet veterinarians have extensive experience addressing flea issues all over the United States and are ready to discuss your questions!

Cover All Bases so Nothing is Missed!

First and foremost … once your family veterinarian has identified fleas as potentially being the culprit for your dog’s skin problem, they will also likely be considering some other common causes of itching too. Environmental allergies (or “atopy”), and cutaneous adverse food reactions (“food allergies”), can all cause intense itching and licking similar to what we see with fleas and a flea allergy in dogs. Some unlucky dogs even have multiple concurrent issues! 

Also, much like we will pick and scratch at a mosquito bite often causing more inflammation and further damage to our skin, your dog wants to do the same thing when their skin is uncomfortable! The scabs, hair loss, and red spots that you may see resulting from days or weeks of itching are evidence of damaged skin. Your veterinarian will perform a series of tests like a skin scraping and fungal testing to rule out other common causes of skin issues. 

Your family veterinarian will also want to check if bacteria and yeast, who both LOVE flourishing in moist inflamed skin, have capitalized on the opportunity to set up an infection. Should your veterinarian identify overgrowth of these opportunists, they will recommend treating your pet’s infection with the appropriate oral/topical antibiotic or antifungal medications and perhaps fasten the legendary “cone of shame” too (the best way to prevent your dog from licking and biting their inflamed skin!). Occasionally an itch will be so intense that medications like Cytopoint, Apoquel, or corticosteroids might be recommended to assist with immediate relief. Clearly, fleas can be responsible for a whole chain reaction (including the arrival of tapeworms!) that contributes to your pet feeling pretty miserable, but your family veterinarian will get them on the road back to comfort in no time! 

Preventing Fleas with Flea Prevention Products

And now to the main event, what to do about those fleas? Combating fleas in 2021 for a dog owner is much easier than in 1985 … researchers have made HUGE strides in the development of many safe and effective flea prevention products that are readily available to purchase at the recommendation of your family veterinarian. The most important aspect of addressing fleas is to avoid them altogether! We want to prevent them from being able to bite your pets and set up their life cycle in your home environment. 

Modern flea prevention products can work in several ways; they kill adult fleas as well as disrupt the growth of immature stages. There are topical products that you apply directly to the dog’s skin or are worn as a collar, and oral products that are absorbed through the intestines and distributed to the skin. Most products are still administered monthly, although longer-acting preventions are also now available. Your family veterinarian will recommend products based on the flea and tick activity in your region as well as your dog’s age, weight, breed, lifestyle, and health history. 

Some products are combined with ingredients that also prevent other parasitic infections at the same time, such as heartworm disease, gastrointestinal parasites, and ticks. The cost associated with administering these products on a monthly basis can sometimes serve as a deterrent for Pet Parents, but when reminded of the true monetary and physical cost of treating the fallout from these infections, the benefits of prevention easily outweigh the monetary costs incurred. The old adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” really holds true when talking about pet parasites! 

The following list contains some of the most popular, safe and effective prescription-grade flea prevention products on the market today:

• Topical  
  • Bravecto
  • Revolution/Plus
  • Cheristin
  • Vectra/First Shield
  • Frontline Plus
  • Advantage/tix/Multi

• Oral  
  • Simparica/Trio
  • Trifexis
  • Bravecto
  • Nexgard
  • Sentinel
  • Capstar

• Collar 
  •  Seresto

Before applying or administering any flea prevention products, please consult your AskVet or family veterinarian to be sure the flea remedies you possess are safe and effective. There are several over-the-counter products that are commonly associated with skin burns and toxicity, on top of being ineffective in killing and preventing adult and immature fleas. We also do not recommend using dog products on cats as they can cause severe toxicity due to ingredients (pyrethrins/pyrethroids) that dogs can tolerate and cats cannot. 

To be sure to take advantage of a product’s maximal efficacy, follow all administration directions on the packaging, treat all of the pets in the household (even indoor cats because they can act as a flea reservoir!), and be sure to administer it at the frequency recommended. We do not recommend flea shampoos, onion/garlic supplements, or essential oils as safe nor effective long-term flea prevention options. Your family veterinarian truly has the best stuff available for flea protection!

Cleaning Your Home Environment

Once you have treated all animals with a prescription-grade flea prevention, commence environmental decontamination mode! Typically, if adult fleas are seen on your dog, this also means that ALL of the flea life cycle stages also exist in your home. This includes your pet’s bedding, your bed (ew!), your couch, the hardwood floors, the carpeting, the car seats, piles of laundry … basically anywhere your pet spends time. 

One adult female flea can lay 50+ eggs per day, and they thrive in the 70-80 degree interiors of our homes, quickly establishing an infestation! It could still take upwards of 2-3 months to rid the home environment of fleas due to the stability of the flea life cycle stages present, but cleaning will at least reduce the load by manually removing them. Here are some suggestions for a quicker eradication…

• Consider all of the areas where the pet spends most of its time and target those areas. You may even see the telltale signs – “flea dirt” (flea poop that resembles black sand), flea larvae, and maybe even tapeworm proglottids (tiny rice-looking objects should your dog have swallowed a flea resulting in a tapeworm infection).
• Launder pet bedding and blankets with warm water and detergent, followed by dryer heat.
• Vacuum carpets, hardwood floors, crevices, furniture, dog houses, kennels, and cars where pets are passengers. Empty the vacuum immediately outdoors.
• Home supply stores offer environmental insecticides and sprays for indoor and outdoor use. Use caution around humans and animals as these products can be harmful, and strictly adhere to the label directions for use.

Great Success!

Now that you have started an appropriate flea treatment and prevention program with all of the pets in the home, cleaned as best as you can (perhaps several times!), and finished any extra medications needed for a full recovery from skin issues brought on by itching and a flea allergy, fleas and their consequences should no longer be a part of your lives! Any lingering skin abnormalities should be rechecked by your family veterinarian, but oftentimes taking our recommended multifaceted approach to targeting and preventing fleas will be enough to remove them from your lives forever! Your AskVet Care Squad is always available to answer any questions you may have regarding fleas and treating your pet and your home!  

Written by:

Alexa Waltz, DVM

Dr. Waltz was raised near the beaches of Southern California but has spent her adult life living all over the beautiful United States while serving in the military and as a military spouse. She left California for the first time to pursue a career as a veterinarian at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She was accepted into the US Army Health Professionals Scholarship Program during vet school and upon graduation spent her military years as a veterinarian in San Diego working for the US Marine Corps and US Navy Military Working Dog programs as well as caring for pets of service members. After her military service, she became a civilian veterinarian and continued as a small animal general practitioner at clinics in California, Rhode Island, Colorado, and Maryland. Dr Waltz loves to see her “in person” patients just as much as communicating with and assisting pet parents virtually on AskVet. Dr Waltz is also a Mom to 3 humans, 2 guinea pigs, and 1 Australian Shepherd and in her spare time she loves traveling, adventures, exercising, and doing just about anything out in nature!

Are you noticing your dog nibbling on their rump throughout the day and night, chewing their thighs and abdomen, or perhaps you see thinning hair around their lower back and tail? Is it possible that your dog has fleas? Despite the advancements and widespread use of flea prevention products for pets during the last several decades, fleas on dogs and cats remain a fact of life for pet parents. But how do dogs get fleas? We’re here to answer that and more!

​​What Are Fleas?

Fleas are a common external parasite that uses your pet as its host to survive. Not only will adult fleas remain living on your pet and continue to lay eggs to reproduce, but it will also now be living in your home. It is important to search your dog for fleas because if left untreated, flea bites could lead to severe diseases and infections.

How Do I Check My Dog for Fleas?

Fleas are clever little pests that have evolved to remain in our lives, but our veterinarians are experts in helping pet parents recognize common signs that their dog might have fleas. Any age dog, all breeds and both males and females are equally at risk for developing a flea infestation that can be uncomfortable and irritating. The prevalence of fleas is still so common that they remain high on the list of potential diagnoses for any dog with constant itching and skin problems.

• Visual Check: Most pet parents feel that the presence of fleas on their dog should be pretty easy to spot, where in fact, it can be very difficult! Fleas on pets look like tiny black insects that will dart away quickly or jump when the cat or dog’s fur is parted down to the skin. To check your dog for fleas, lay your dog on its side and examine its skin where it has thin hair. Most common areas to check are its abdomen area and inside its hindquarters.
• Flea Comb: A quick brush over your dog’s body with a flea comb (a specialized fine tooth flea comb for pets) can also trap fleas, “flea dirt” (a name for flea feces that looks like small pieces of black sand), and eggs, proving that they could be the instigators behind the itch.
• White Towel Test: Have your dog stand over a white towel and brush or rub its fur. If you start to see black droppings on the towel that look like tiny grains of sand, then you know that flea dirt is present.

Of course, seeing fleas and flea dirt confirms the presence of a flea infestation, so that is pretty straightforward, right? However, oftentimes, unless there is a severe infestation, finding an actual flea on your pet is very difficult! Fleas are small, clever and FAST – often evading human eyes! And, as you can imagine, little bugs biting and running around on a dog’s skin makes the dog even faster at locating them, chewing them off and destroying the evidence. A flea allergy in dogs (a severe allergic reaction to the protein in a flea’s saliva) makes dogs even faster due to the intense skin reaction that they are feeling because of even just one flea bite. So yes, it is entirely possible that you will not see a single flea on your flea-infested or flea-allergic dog!!!

What are the Symptoms of Fleas?

So how do you really know your dog has fleas if you can’t see them? Fleas are clever, but not enough to trick us! They leave some pretty telltale signs that your veterinarians are experts at recognizing.

The classic symptoms of fleas are:

• excessive self-grooming
• dry skin caused by itching, licking, nibbling, and scratching
• thinning and broken hairs
• hair loss
• redness
• the creation of scabs, “hotspots” (red, painful sores) and red bumps/rashes on the skin

Most commonly, dogs will target the skin of the lower back, inner and outer thighs, tailhead and abdomen, although skin lesions and scratching can occur anywhere (ears, neck, etc., too!). Also, when pet parents report strange behavior changes, like unusual restlessness or incidences where their dog seems to dart or jolt quickly out of nowhere, act startled and turn around to stare or look at their rump area before going in for a nibble or prolonged aggressive grooming session, we instantly consider the possibility of fleas!

How to Target Fleas

Once we assemble the pieces of the puzzle and it is looking strongly like fleas could be feasting on your dog and potentially cohabitating with you in your home, the final clue that fleas are the culprit usually comes with the answer to this question: Is your pet current on their monthly prescription-strength flea prevention? Fleas are so gifted at finding unprotected pets that when we see these classic signs and link them to the absence of using an effective monthly flea prevention product, fleas almost always jump to the top of our list! Final confirmation comes when your veterinarian establishes a flea prevention program for your dog, and the issues improve and resolve, never to return again!

Talk to a Trusted Vet

If any of these signs sound all too familiar to you and your dog is suffering from excessive itching and licking, with some skin abnormalities on the side, please consult our AskVet Veterinarians for some advice or follow up with your family veterinarian for a full physical exam and some advice for how to treat and prevent fleas in your home. Your Vet can recommend you the appropriate flea shampoo, prescription cream, and other flea treatments to help prevent and kill any of the adult fleas that are currently living on your dog. Life’s too short to be bugged by fleas! Even if they’re out there, they do not need to be a part of you and your dog’s daily life, so consult with your family veterinarian and start a prevention program today!

Written by:

Alexa Waltz, DVM

Dr. Waltz was raised near the beaches of Southern California but has spent her adult life living all over the beautiful United States while serving in the military and as a military spouse. She left California for the first time to pursue a career as a veterinarian at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She was accepted into the US Army Health Professionals Scholarship Program during vet school and upon graduation spent her military years as a veterinarian in San Diego working for the US Marine Corps and US Navy Military Working Dog programs as well as caring for pets of service members. After her military service, she became a civilian veterinarian and continued as a small animal general practitioner at clinics in California, Rhode Island, Colorado, and Maryland. Dr Waltz loves to see her “in person” patients just as much as communicating with and assisting pet parents virtually on AskVet. Dr Waltz is also a Mom to 3 humans, 2 guinea pigs, and 1 Australian Shepherd and in her spare time she loves traveling, adventures, exercising, and doing just about anything out in nature!

If you’re reading this article, you may be wondering, “my dog was just diagnosed with a heart murmur-now what?!” You may be feeling scared, worried, and wondering what exactly a heart murmur means for your pet’s health, now and in the future. At AskVet, we’re here to help you understand what the diagnosis of a heart murmur means-and what it doesn’t mean-as well as certain symptoms of heart disease in dogs to discuss with your family veterinarian.

Normal Heart Function

Thinking back to high school biology, you probably remember that the heart pumps blood, which goes around the body in tiny tubes called blood vessels. The blood absorbs oxygen when it passes through the blood vessels in the lungs, and the oxygen-rich blood is then pumped by the heart to the rest of the body. Your body—and that of your dog—needs oxygen in order to maintain the health of every organ and tissue. 

What happens when blood flows into the heart itself? It helps to think of your dog’s heart as a house, with both plumbing and electricity. The main blood vessels that lead into the heart and away from it are just like pipes or plumbing leading into your home!  The heart has four rooms (called “chambers”), which are each separated by walls (or “septae”). Each septum/wall has a set of  swinging doors in the middle that only swing open and closed in one direction. These doors are called “valves.” 

Once blood vessels, or veins, deliver blood back to the heart, the blood is moved through each heart chamber in a specific order by contractions of the heart muscle. While the heart’s electrical system controls the timing of each chamber’s muscular “squeeze” movement, the valves (doors) open in one direction in a carefully-choreographed rhythm to create the proper blood flow through the heart. The bottom line: a high level of coordination allows blood to flow through the heart in only one-forward-direction.

The heart muscle is so powerful that, as the different chambers squeeze in sequence to move blood through the heart, a noise can be heard using a stethoscope. When the heartbeat is normal, the noise produced by those valves closing in unison is described as a “lub-dub” sound. When you think about the level of coordination required to make such a simple sound, it’s really quite incredible! 

So, What IS a Heart Murmur? 

Now that you understand how a normal heartbeat is created, you can understand what a heart murmur represents. To put it simply, a murmur simply refers to a sound heard with a stethoscope that indicates turbulent blood flow. 

Imagine going for a hike and finding a quiet, still creek with a surface like glass—that’s like the flow within a normal heart. The fluid flows in one direction very quietly and without any interruptions. A heart murmur, on the other hand, sounds like a “whoosh” sound—as though someone put a big rock in the middle of that creek! 

Turbulent blood flow within the heart can be caused by many things, as you can probably imagine! In a nutshell, sometimes the valves are leaky or do not close fully, allowing blood  to flow backwards. In other pets, the vessels leading out of the heart are too narrow in spots and we can hear an extra sound where there is usually silence. There can even be holes in the heart walls, creating bloodflow where there shouldn’t be any! 

As you can probably tell, this means that not all heart murmurs are created equal. Some heart murmurs indicate a type of problem that does not affect a dog’s lifespan at all- and unfortunately, some murmurs indicate a life-threatening heart problem. These types of heart disease require close monitoring and medical intervention. How worried we should be about your pup’s heart murmur depends on what is creating the extra noise. If there is an underlying cause of the murmur, it may impact how hard the heart needs to work, and affect normal blood flow throughout the body.

The bottom line: sometimes, the extra noise of a heart murmur is the first clue that your pup has a heart condition requiring medical attention–and sometimes, it truly is nothing to worry about. Further testing is required to find out the cause of your dog’s heart murmur and your veterinarian can discuss these with you. 

Next, we’ll talk about the most common causes of heart murmurs in dogs, as well as what your veterinarian may recommend. 

Congenital Defects

When your pup was growing inside of the womb, many changes were happening to help him develop into his full potential! Along the way, the structures that eventually became your pooch’s circulatory system were growing, dividing, and changing. Sometimes a pup is born with part of this complicated process incomplete, and they may have an extra blood vessel in a place where it isn’t needed, or a hole in a part of the heart that should have been closed. Some of these defects may have familiar names like “Patent Ductus Arteriosus,” “Aortic Stenosis,” and “Septal Defects.”

Some puppies are born with defects that are inconsequential (leading to “innocent murmurs” that actually go away as your little one grows up), but some of these can be life-threatening without prompt intervention. If your family veterinarian suspects a more serious congenital heart defect, they may recommend x-rays (radiographs) of your pet’s heart and lungs, and may refer your puppy to a veterinary cardiologist for an ultrasound of his heart. Some of the more serious congenital heart defects can be fixed with appropriate surgery or a non-invasive procedure, helping your pup to live a normal life.

Degenerative Valve Disease

In a normal heart, the valves are like tightly-fitting swinging doors. Their edges are smooth and straight, and there is no blood allowed to flow the wrong direction! (Pretty amazing stuff, when you think about it!) 

However, in some dogs, the smooth edges of these valves become gnarled over time, leading to irregular edges. As you can imagine, this means that the edges of the valves fail to create a tight seal when they are closed—allowing blood to flow backwards as well as forwards. This is called regurgitation, and it is this regurgitation that causes the “whoosh” of a heart murmur heard by your veterinarian. Over time, blood continuing to regurgitate in the wrong direction causes the heart to work harder just to get enough blood moving forward in the right direction. Just like any muscle that works harder, the heart grows in size. Sometimes, the noise generated by a small leak may be very loud, as the extra blood rushes through a tiny space and creates lots of turbulence. Conversely, larger leaks can also be more quiet, as the blood is whooshing through a larger opening. For this reason, it’s impossible to judge the severity of your dog’s heart disease based on how loud or severe her  heart murmur sounds–the only way to know is to have an ultrasound (echocardiogram) performed to look at the “rooms” and “doors” (chambers and valves) of your dog’s heart. . 

Degenerative valve disease is thought to be genetic, and is most common in smaller dog breeds, like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Chihuahuas, toy Poodles, Cocker Spaniels and Shih-tzus. However, any dog breed can be affected. In dogs with valve disease, we most often see problems with the mitral valve and the tricuspid valve. 

Degenerative valve disease can eventually lead to congestive heart failure as the blood starts to severely back up and the heart struggles more and more to keep blood flowing in the right direction. However, these changes to the heart muscle can be slowed down–and the risk of heart failure can be decreased–by starting heart medications at the appropriate time. Follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for chest x-rays and/or referral to a cardiologist to maximize the length of time your dog lives with valve disease!

Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Sometimes, the walls of the heart muscle become thinner over time, due to a degeneration or weakening of the muscle tissue itself. Since the volume of blood the heart is squeezing through the chambers does not change, the pressure of the blood inside the walls causes them to stretch and thin out even more. Unfortunately, the valves remain the same size—so the effect is like widening a doorway in your home while keeping the same size door in the frame! Blood can now regurgitate back and forth through this gap, creating the “whoosh” sound your veterinarian hears as a heart murmur. This type of heart disease is called dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is thought to be largely genetic, and tends to affect medium- and large-breed dogs such as Doberman Pinschers, Golden Retrievers, Boxers, and Labradors. 

However, there is an important environmental cause of dilated cardiomyopathy that can affect ANY dog—and this type of dilated cardiomyopathy is caused by feeding certain foods. Specifically, grain-free diets (especially those containing legumes) have been linked to this type of heart disease. The specific food ingredients that cause DCM are being studied, but for now, veterinarians recommend avoiding ANY grain-free or “boutique” dog food, especially one that has been linked to cases of DCM. (Link to FDA article regarding a possible diet-related link to canine dilated cardiomyopathy)

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a serious disease and sadly shortens a dog’s lifespan. The electrical system of the heart is eventually affected, and most dogs with this disease will develop heart failure. However, because medications can delay the onset of heart failure and/or a fatal heart electrical storm (arrythmia), it is worth pursuing a diagnosis to optimize treatment recommendations. This will help to maximize your dog’s quality of life for as long as possible. 

Symptoms of Heart Failure

If your pet has been diagnosed with a heart murmur, it’s important to remember that your pet’s heart murmur is a SYMPTOM—and that if your pet has a murmur, this does NOT mean that your pet is in heart failure! They may actually be doing just fine! (Thank goodness!)

Fortunately, the vast majority of pets with heart murmurs will never go on to develop heart failure. For those that do, heart failure is a life-threatening and very dangerous illness—but can often be controlled IF it is detected early enough for medical intervention. 

One of the most important ways to monitor your pet for early signs of heart failure is to watch your dog’s chest closely and count how many breaths he takes per minute while he is sleeping. This is called your pet’s Sleeping Respiratory Rate, and anything over 30 breaths per minute is a reason to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible. (See Veterinary Partner for how to take the sleeping respiratory rate). You can reach out to your AskVet veterinarians for advice on whether seeking emergency care is needed for your pet, or contact your family veterinarian if they are open! Read our dog physical exam checklist at home guide for more information.

More obvious symptoms of heart failure include coughing and difficulty breathing (often, we’ll see panting/gasping for air with a tongue that is blue-ish in color instead of bubblegum-pink). Also, dogs in heart failure start getting tired and having to rest after short periods of activity, such as walking across the room. If your pet is exhibiting these signs, it is best to take him to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital immediately.

Read our guide on ‘Why is my dog breathing heavy’ for more information if you think your dog is having abnormal breathing.

The Bottom Line

If your pet is diagnosed with a heart murmur, it does NOT mean that your pet is seriously ill, or that she is in heart failure. Instead, it means that your astute veterinarian has found a symptom that is worth investigating further to determine what your dog’s heart murmur means for his health. Often, some yearly monitoring is all that will be needed-but if your pup needs more intensive testing and medication, rest assured that you are intervening as early as possible to ensure she lives a long, healthy, and happy life.

Our AskVet Veterinarians are available to discuss all of your pet’s needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you have an immediate need or are looking to improve your pet’s overall wellbeing, just sign into your account and one of our friendly and knowledgeable veterinary experts will attend to your needs, no appointment required!

Written by:

Allison Ward, DVM
Dr. Allison Ward grew up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. and started working in veterinary hospitals when she was 14 years old. After graduating from veterinary school in 2011, she completed a small animal rotating internship in New Jersey, followed by a neurology/neurosurgery internship in Miami. After completing this advanced training, Dr. Ward then moved on to general small animal practice. Dr. Ward’s professional interests include feline medicine, neurology, and pain management. Her passion for educating pet owners carries over into her work with AskVet, and she loves being able to help pets and their parents at all times of the day (and night!). She currently resides in sunny south Florida with her two cats, Larry and George.