Allergies—especially skin allergies—are common in Pitbulls. Here’s what you need to know to treat your dog’s allergies and avoid reactions.
Pitbull breeds, such as the American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Pit Bull Terrier, are genetically predisposed to allergies—especially skin allergies, which are generally diagnosed under atopic dermatitis.
While skin allergies are the most common, Pitbulls can also experience other allergy-related symptoms like gastrointestinal distress, watery eyes, and chronic ear infections. Dr. Schott notes that while symptoms are similar to those of other breeds, Pitbulls are more likely to experience acute allergic reactions, such as breaking out in hives.
“I see a lot of Pitbulls with allergies. Most commonly these are environmental allergies to pollen, dust mites, grass, etc. The allergies typically manifest as itchy skin (especially the paws, underarms, and belly) and ear infections. This is pretty similar to other breeds, however I do tend to see more Pitbulls that have acute allergic reactions, like breaking out in hives.” - Dr. Schott
Here are some common signs of allergies, including how you can treat them.
👉Allergy symptoms may present themselves in unusual ways. While a sneeze doesn’t warrant a vet visit, you should take your dog for an exam if they suddenly develop new behaviors or symptoms, such as excessive paw licking.
Food allergies and intolerances may affect your dog beyond their tummy. While vomiting, diarrhea, and bloating are common signs, a dietary intolerance may also cause itchy skin or even hives in severe cases.
Watch out for chronic diarrhea—it can be dangerous for young puppies, and while it can be a sign of food allergies, it could also be a warning sign of something more serious. You should always take your dog to the vet if they experience vomiting or diarrhea for more than 24 hours.
Usually environmental in nature, some allergies may impact your dog’s respiratory system by triggering excessive sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, and chronic ear infections. Your dog may also scratch their ears more frequently due to itchy ears or skin.
🚨Take your dog to the vet immediately if they’re having trouble breathing.
Excessive scratching, chewing, and licking—especially to the point of creating hot spots—are strong indicators of skin allergies. Check your dog frequently for unexplained sores too, as these may become infected without proper care.
Dogs and cats may suffer from allergies triggered by food, cleaning products, and their environment—which means that you might have to do some trial and error to figure out how to best support your Pitbull while the allergen is identified. While no two pitties are exactly alike, there are some allergens that affect the canine population more often than others. Here’s a brief summary of the different types of allergens, most likely culprits, and treatment options.
By far, the most common allergies for Pitbulls in general are skin allergies—especially flea atopic dermatitis. Dogs affected by flea atopic dermatitis aren’t simply annoyed by flea bites. Instead, their immune system overreacts, leading to many skin allergy symptoms, including hair loss and hot spots.
Ensuring that your dog stays on vet-approved flea prevention and periodically checking their coat during the warmer months helps your pittie stay free from parasites. Keep in mind you may not be able to spot any fleas, but you can tell they’re using your dog as a host if you find tiny black specks resembling coffee grounds in their coat.
While flea allergy dermatitis is the leading cause of allergies in dogs, atopic dermatitis comes in at a close second. This disorder is a common health concern for multiple breeds, including Pitbulls, with a genetic predisposition to develop pruritic inflammatory skin disease. While it is genetically driven, flea and mosquito bites can make it worse—as can the presence of environmental factors.
Are you familiar with the Big 9 food allergens for humans? Believe it or not, most of these nine most common food allergens on the menu for human consumption are the same most common food allergens in the canine universe! Some of these big troublemakers include chicken, beef, dairy, corn, wheat, soy, and eggs.
Diagnosing and treating food allergies can be tricky. After all, most of these common allergens are multiple ingredients in most dog foods and snacks. If your vet strongly suspects a food allergy or intolerance may be the root of your pittie’s problems, they may recommend a limited diet with a novel protein such as venison that is less likely to trigger your pup. Your vet may also choose to run bloodwork to try to spot antigens that can indicate the presence of an allergy, or recommend intradermal allergy tests.
Mold, pollen, and grass likely cause allergy symptoms with seasonal flare-ups. Pitbulls may also experience sensitivity to synthetic perfumes, fabrics, and fragrances in their everyday environment.
Environmental allergies can be more difficult to diagnose than allergies with a food-based cause—unless they only occur seasonally or there is a strong cause and effect. Your vet often has one of two options: Skin or blood tests. Depending on your pet’s temperament, symptoms, and experience, they will determine which option is most suitable.
If you and your vet are confident that you know the cause of your dog’s environmental allergies, you can try removing or limiting the possible trigger and assessing your dog’s symptoms. Depending on the severity of your pet’s symptoms, your vet might also prescribe ongoing treatments, such as routine oral antihistamine medication or steroid treatments, depending on the severity of your pet’s symptoms.
Knowing what allergen triggers your pet provides the best way forward for formulating a treatment plan. However, treating your pet’s allergies isn’t so cut and dry when the cause is unknown. Here are some practical measures you can take to reduce your pittie’s chances of an allergy flare-up from common allergens, even if you’re not sure why they’re experiencing symptoms.
To reduce the risk of environmental or contact allergies, make sure your cleaning products are pet-friendly, and use a wet towel or rag to wipe your Pitbull down twice a day. Never use synthetic fragrances such as perfume on your pet that aren’t formulated for dogs.
If you find any ticks, remove them immediately. If you find fleas, try a flea treatment such as a medicated flea shampoo for dogs for an instant solution and consult with your vet for prescriptions to fix the infestation. Always keep your Pitbull updated on their flea and tick medications, especially during the warmer months.
Since Pitbulls have such short hair, they can get sunburned faster than other breeds. Burns will irritate their skin and can make skin allergies worse.
If your Pitbull has dry skin, use a natural moisturizer. Also, if your dog is prone to allergies, antifungal shampoos can also help decrease additional yeast in their skin that could over-reproduce and cause a problem. Our vet’s favorite is Dechra MiconaHex + Triz Shampoo for dogs.
Maintaining a well-rounded diet is one of the most helpful steps for many owners when it comes to managing Pitbull allergies. Keeping your pet’s diet free from fillers, colors, inflammatory foods, and preservatives can help them experience a big reduction in symptoms. If you suspect a food allergy, you might try a limited-ingredient diet with a novel protein as a first step to see if your dog’s symptoms improve.
👉Always consult your vet before changing your dog’s diet. While commercially produced dog food may contain unhealthy additives, homemade dog food may deprive your dog of key nutrients they need to thrive.
VCA Hospitals has conducted a statistical analysis showing that dairy, beef, and chicken are three of the most serious and prevalent food allergies for dogs.
Limited-ingredient dog food can be especially helpful if your furry friend has itchy skin, especially if it contains anti-inflammatory ingredients like salmon. However, we always recommend talking to your vet before making drastic diet changes.
Your dog could be itching for several reasons, which is why it’s important to consult with your vet before treatment. However, many pet parents find that their dogs might stop itching with a boost of Omega-3s—found naturally in salmon and cod liver oil.
Do eggs help itchy dog skin?
Yes. Eggs contain anti-inflammatory nutrients that can help itchy skin—as long as your Pitbull isn’t allergic to them. While eggs are one of the most common allergens for dogs, an egg allergy is still relatively rare, only affecting 4% of canines who have food allergies overall.
Yes. Pitbull breeds are more genetically susceptible to allergies than some other breeds. Flea atopic dermatitis is especially prevalent for pitties, so it’s important to keep your dog up-to-date on their flea prevention to avoid a flare-up.
.webp)
