Whether dog or human, allergies can be the absolute worst. As humans, we are familiar with that terrible sneezing, itchy throat and allover feeling of unease that often accompanies an allergic reaction. Dogs, of course, can also suffer from allergies to anything in their environment – from foods to plants to fabrics or even just particles in the air.
However, for them, these allergies manifest differently. Rather than sneezing or headaches, most beagle’s allergies will instead develop into “atopy”, a condition which makes the skin dry and unbearably itchy. If you have noticed your beagle developing dry, itchy skin – particularly in the folds of their skin or if he is constantly scratching at their legs, ears and paws, they may be suffering from this condition.
Are Beagles More Prone to Skin Allergies?
Unfortunately, beagles are among the most common types of dog breeds that are more prone to developing skin allergies. Other dog breeds in this group include dachshunds, boxers, cocker spaniels, german shepherds, basset hounds, labrador retrievers, and terriers.
Although it is not understood exactly why, a large proportion of beagles do suffer from some type of allergy – whether seasonal, environmental, or a food allergy. There seems to be some sort of genetic predisposition towards allergies, and other skin problems, in beagles, so as the owner of one of these sweet pups you are quite likely to deal with it at some point in your dog’s lifetime.
What Are Common Types of Allergies in Beagles?
Beagles typically start manifesting signs of allergic reactions between the ages of one and three, and they can actually worsen over time. However they can pop up for puppies as young as three months in some cases. There are three primary types of allergies that your dog can suffer from:
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Seasonal allergies
We humans are unfortunately intimately familiar with this type of allergy. Beagles can have sensitivities to the same kinds of seasonal allergens as humans. You might find, for example, that your dog has worse symptoms in the spring when certain flowers or trees are in bloom and pollen is copious, or in the fall when more leaves are falling to the ground. Common seasonal allergies include pollen, ragweed and specific types of plants.
There are some solutions you can use for seasonal allergies, such as cytopoint injections from your vet or over the counter allergy aid tablets. If your dog is struggling with seasonal allergies, you should let your vet know so that they can best help direct you toward a safe solution.
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Food allergies
This can be a tough one to diagnose, as an allergy to a food ingredient may not produce any gastrointestinal symptoms at all. Instead, you may notice that your dog is scratching a lot, has very dry skin or any of the other typical symptoms of atopy. If you suspect a food allergy, you can discuss the options with your vet. These can include an elimination diet to diagnose allergies and possibly a change in the type of food that they eat altogether. You should always consult with your vet first though, because some foods labeled as “allergy-friendly” for dogs aren’t as reliable or trusted by veterinarians.
The most common triggers of food allergies in dogs include:
Unfortunately a lot of types of popular dog foods tend to have one or multiple of these ingredients, so you’ll need to take some time working with your vet to come up with a proper elimination diet to try and figure out which one is the underlying cause.
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Environmental or “Contact” allergies
Contact allergies are exactly what they sound like. They are an allergic reaction to something in the environment that your dog’s skin or mucous membranes are coming into direct contact with.
You might be able to solve this mystery if you noticed that your dog develops allergy symptoms or is itching or biting their paws after exposure to a particular substance, plant, etc. Be especially careful to watch for symptoms after you use cleaning supplies, launder their bedding, or after you wash or use grooming products on then.
If you are seeing what looks like atopy after exposure to any of these substances, there is a good chance that they are the culprit and your dog has a contact allergy.
Dust and dander from other animals in your home can also be another potential source of contact allergy. Some dogs can be allergic to other pets in the house like cats, rabbits, or even other dogs.
And, even if your beagle is on a good flea preventative program, when they go outside, they may still be exposed to fleas and other bugs that can set off a reaction from a small amount of contact.
What Are Symptoms of Skin Allergies In Beagles?
The symptoms of skin allergies will manifest differently in different dogs but there are some similarities and signs that you can look for.
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Dry, itchy skin
If your dog is scratching a lot, if their skin feels particularly dry or you can see actual patches of dry skin standing out amid their normal areas of skin, there is a good chance that your beagle is dealing with allergies.
This tends to flare up particularly around the tail, paws, ears, and abdomen, and is rarer to find on their back, but it varies from dog to dog.
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Flakes and Dandruff
Dandruff is a common beagle malady, and the most likely culprit is an allergic reaction. Dandruff consists of flakes of dry, rough dead skin cells that flake off and can be seen in the coat or in the dog’s bedding. If you are wondering if your dog has dandruff, watch out when you brush them for these characteristic white flakes.
You may also only notice it when your dog scratches themselves in certain parts of their body, where there’s a denser cluster of these dry, dead skin cells. There are a few solutions for dandruff in dogs, like medicated shampoo, which we’ll go into more detail for later in this article.
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Chewing at tails, legs or paws
Allergies can make your beagle itch like crazy! That’s why, if they’re having an allergic reaction, you may see them not only itching but also biting at themselves. They will most often attack the easiest-to-reach body parts, which include the tail, their paws, legs and even the tips of their ears.
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Red or irritated skin
Even if you do not see your beagle chewing on their skin, they may still develop “hot spots” or red, irritated skin from scratching or chewing. If you notice these, it’s important to get them evaluated right away as your dog could have or develop an infection. These hot spots can also be quite tender. A less serious type of redness may be a result of the actual allergy, rather than a reaction to the dog’s skin-scratching.
How to Treat Skin Allergies in Beagles
Allergies can be tricky to deal with, as anyone who has ever had to live with a seasonal allergy can attest. However, there is a lot that you can do to help pinpoint your beagle’s allergen and provide some relief for that bothersome itching. It bears repeating that, while allergies may not seem serious, it’s important to consult with your vet if you cannot get to the root of your problem on your own. Allergies, left unchecked can lead to skin irritation, hair loss, and even serious infections. The sooner that you can figure out and treat allergies, the better!
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Consult with your vet
As discussed above, your vet knows best what course of treatment is right for your dog’s unique allergy problems. They’ll be the best person to consult for elimination diet methods if it’s food allergies, what changes to your environment might need to be made, and what testing can be done to make sure that these symptoms are due to allergies, and not because of something potentially more serious.
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Test out new types of food
Food allergens can be a real pain to deal with. But the good news is that there are numerous types of foods on the market now that are designed to address a variety of dietary concerns and allergies. Your vet can help you figure out which ingredients your dog may be reacting to, by setting up an elimination diet with you.
In an elimination diet, one or two common allergens at a time are eliminated from your beagle’s diet in order to ascertain which one is causing problems. Common allergens in dogs include corn, soy and wheat – although some dogs also have allergies to other types of grains or even some meats! Non-prescription limited ingredient foods can be an excellent place to start if you are considering a dietary change, as they are made without any of the most common dog allergens.
But even if you’re able to conduct an elimination diet on your own, I strongly urge you to run any new food plans by your vet first. They have a wealth of knowledge on what brands have accurately been tested and researched, and will help you make a transition plan so that your dog’s digestion isn’t disrupted – especially if they’re a puppy!
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Regularly clean your living space
Dust and dander can definitely wreak havoc on a dog with allergies (not to mention the humans in the house!) Dusting your house, cleaning floors regularly and assuring that your dog’s bedding is laundered regularly will help keep down your dog’s access to allergens.
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Consider changing laundry detergent or cleaning products
While dusting and cleaning is effective, there are some cases where the cleaning products are also a source of the problem. Some dogs can be allergic to the laundry detergent or fabric softener that you’re using, so you’ll want to check with your vet about those if the allergies persist even with frequent dusting.
You may need to switch to a detergent that is formulated to be free of dyes, fragrances, and other ingredients that can be more likely to cause an allergic reaction. This also goes for any cleaner or air sprays that you use in your home. Your pet is low to the ground, and climbs on and licks a lot of surfaces. If you’re using the wrong types of cleaning products on them, it’s no wonder that your dog is struggling with allergy symptoms!
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Bath regularly with allergy-friendly shampoo.
This one is particularly important. You should already be washing your beagle regularly or taking him or her to the groomer. Either way, take a good look at the products that you are using and how they might be exacerbating or causing allergies. There are many dog shampoos and topical sprays out on the market that are made specifically for dogs who suffer from allergies. These products eliminate the most common allergy-inducing ingredients. You will also want to avoid anything that is overly-drying, which will only worsen uncomfortable allergy symptoms like dry itchy skin and dandruff.
Some medicated shampoos are also allergy-friendly, and can help restore the dried out skin from allergies, which your vet might recommend. My personal go-to for medicated shampoo is from the PetHonesty brand.
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Groom more frequently
While helping your canine friend deal with their allergies will take a bit of detective work on your part, the results will be well worth it. Ultimately, the time and money that you spend on figuring out what it is that is causing the reaction, will be saved money as you will be seeing a lot less of your vet and avoiding future trips for things like infections or paw damage from chewing.
Cleaning their paws and ears will help check for any environmental allergies that could be causing the problem. Beagles love to get into lots of mischief, especially with how they dig and burrow in the ground. That’s why you’ll want to regularly check up on them by grooming to make sure they aren’t causing themselves unnecessary harm.
Final Thoughts
Beagles are particularly prone to skin allergies, but it doesn’t mean that they have to suffer with them forever.
Treating your dog at home for allergies may be an option if you can solve the problem using the simple steps above. However, ultimately, your vet is your very best resource for information about your beagle’s allergies and any other health problems that come their way.