Ask Uncle Google or Cousin Bing “what’s my dog allergic to?” and one answer tops the charts every time: chicken. It’s one of the most quietly unfair verdicts in pet care — because that bag of “chicken-flavoured” McKibble it’s pinned on hardly contains any actual chicken. Chicken gets judged, found guilty and convicted by association, and a whole shelf of “limited ingredient” and “hypoallergenic” foods is built on the conviction.
So let’s untangle it properly: what a pet allergy actually is, why true food allergies are rarer than you’ve been told, and — the question that brought you here — what to put in the bowl.
Allergy vs. Sensitivity: They’re Not the Same Thing
This is the distinction almost everything else hinges on, and Dr Jean Dodds’ published work lays it out cleanly:
- A true food allergy is an immediate immune-system response. The body’s immune cells identify a specific protein as foreign and react fast — think of the way peanuts can close a person’s airway. In the bloodwork it shows as IgE and IgG antibodies. These Type I reactions are dramatic, sometimes serious — and, in pets, genuinely uncommon.
- A food sensitivity (intolerance) is usually a slow-building, chronic response that often doesn’t involve the immune system at all. It can take months or years of exposure to surface, and shows up as IgA and IgM antibodies in saliva or faeces. This is the far more common scenario — and it’s what most pet parents are actually describing when they say “allergy.”
Sensitivities rarely threaten life, but they can quietly wreck quality of it: IBD-like gut upset, chronic itchy skin, endless gas and rumbling, and recurring skin, ear and foot infections — especially the yeasty kind (Malassezia). Often the trigger isn’t even a nutrient. It’s the non-food extras in processed products — artificial additives, colourings, flavour enhancers and chemical preservatives — that the body keeps reacting to.
“My Dog Tested Allergic to Chicken” — About Those Tests
Here’s the frustrating truth: there is no quick, infallible test for food allergies. Blood, saliva and hair tests are sold widely and confidently — but none has been shown to reliably tell an allergic pet from a non-allergic one. A peer-reviewed study of serum IgG testing concluded it’s of limited value for managing dogs with food reactions, and false positives are common. A test naming “chicken” is a long way from proof. The gold standard is unglamorous and takes patience: an elimination diet.
Can Raw Food Cause Allergies?
Not likely — and there’s an interesting twist here. Raw, real food is about as biologically appropriate a set of building blocks as you can give a dog or cat. When a pet does react to a raw protein, the protein is often the result, not the root cause. (One example worth knowing: most vaccines are grown in animal protein — typically beef or chicken — and a trace of that protein can hitch a ride into the body and prime a reaction to that protein source later. In that scenario the chicken in the bowl is taking the blame for an introduction that happened elsewhere.) The body flags anything it reads as foreign and tries to expel it; in many cases the trigger settles over time and the “allergy” fades.
So What Do I Feed? The Elimination Approach
If you only take one thing from this page, make it this: you find the answer by simplifying, not by buying another “hypoallergenic” bag. An elimination diet is the most reliable way to identify what your individual pet can’t handle. Here’s the shape of it — worth running past your vet, especially if there’s an active skin infection to clear first.
1. Strip it back to one novel protein
Choose a single protein your pet has rarely or never eaten, paired with the shortest possible ingredient list — nothing else in the bowl. “Novel” matters: you can’t test for a reaction against a background of the very foods you’re trying to rule out. Raw makes this genuinely easy, because a single-protein raw meal is the short ingredient list, with no hidden additives to account for.
2. Give it real time — 8 to 12 weeks
This is where most elimination trials fail: they’re abandoned too early. Feed the chosen diet — and nothing else, no treats, no table scraps, no flavoured supplements or chews — for a minimum of 8 weeks, ideally 12. One stolen biscuit and the clock starts again. It’s strict, but it’s the only way the result means anything.
3. Reintroduce one food at a time
Once your pet is settled and comfortable, add foods back one at a time, a week or so apart, watching for any return of itching, gut upset or ear trouble. Add commercial vitamins or supplements (which often carry flavourings) only at this stage, so you can tell a reaction to the supplement from a reaction to the food. Slowly, you build a personal “safe list” — the single most useful document you’ll own as the parent of a sensitive pet.
4. Feed the skin from the inside
Allergic skin is already inflamed and prone to secondary infection, so the fat profile of the diet matters. Heavily processed foods tend to run high in pro-inflammatory omega-6 and short on omega-3 — and high-heat processing can push fats in the wrong direction entirely. A fresh diet with adequate omega-3 (fish oil is the easy route) helps tip the balance back toward calm skin and coat. Whole, real food, light on the things a struggling body has to fight.
A realistic note: many itchy pets improve markedly on a clean, whole-food diet even when a true food allergy was never the right diagnosis — simply because the additives, preservatives and processing artefacts came out of the bowl. That’s not a cure, and we won’t dress it up as one. It’s just what tends to happen when you feed a carnivore food it can actually use.
Five Kinds of “Itchy” — Why a Diagnosis Helps
“Allergy” is often shorthand for a much wider field. Itchy skin in dogs falls into roughly five buckets, and they don’t all respond to a diet change — which is exactly why a vet diagnosis is worth having before you go all-in on food:
- Atopic dermatitis — the most common; triggered by airborne/environmental allergens (dust, mould, pollen). Tends to be seasonal at first and worsen year on year.
- Parasitic dermatitis — fleas above all, plus mites; flea-allergy itch continues even after the fleas are gone.
- Bacterial or yeast infections — often secondary Malassezia yeast: itchy, greasy, smelly, frequently misdiagnosed.
- Nutritional dermatitis — poor-quality food missing the nutrients healthy skin needs.
- Neurogenic dermatitis — compulsive licking/chewing driven by stress, boredom or anxiety, not by an allergen at all.
Because allergic skin is not normal skin, it’s prone to secondary infections — which is why so many allergic dogs also carry chronic bacterial or yeast trouble, and why your vet may want to screen for underlying issues such as hypothyroidism too.
A Word on Environmental Triggers
Not every itch starts in the food bowl. Pets react to many of the same airborne triggers we do — grass, tree and weed pollens (often seasonal), plus year-round dust mites, dander and mould spores. A lot of that exposure is by contact through the skin rather than inhaled, which is why a pet who loves the garden can stay itchy long after the walk is over. Fleas deserve their own mention: in a flea-allergic pet, a single bite can set off a reaction far out of proportion to it. The two tables below list common indoor and mould/fungal triggers worth knowing — the mould list is South-Africa-specific.
Common Indoor Allergens
| Kapok - is typically found in furniture upholstery, pillows and in stuffed animals. In these cases, isolation of the patient from such areas or removal of those items from the home are indicated. | Orris root - are the stems of three species of iris. They are often used as a fixative in potpourri to enhance colour and fragrance as well as certain cosmetics, and can be recognized by their violet scented fragrance. |
| Pyrethrum - class of insecticides was originally formulated from plants of the Compositae (Asteraceae) family, which includes daisies and chrysanthemums. Pyrethrum refers to both the crude plant extract and the marketed formulation of insecticide. | Sisal (hemp) - is a term which refers to both a species of agave, and to the fibre which can be produced from this plant by processing its leaves. Commonly used in rope and twine, as well as paper, cloth, wall coverings and carpets. |
| House Dust - The allergens within dust mite are distributed through the waste products of the dust mite. The most common areas in which dust mites can be found are carpets, bare floors, furniture upholstery, pillows, mattresses, box springs, stuffed animals, books and in high humidity and damp areas. Many of these are very difficult to isolate from and therefore maximum amount of cleaning is advocated where mite allergies are a problem. In cases where they occur in carpet, vacuuming regularly with special HEPA filter bags is indicated. Bare floors should be mopped and dusted at least 3 times a week. | Cockroach - The allergen includes secretions and faeces from the cockroach. The allergen is widely distributed in house dust and concentrations are highest in kitchen areas, however it is detectable throughout the house. They generally live in moist and shady areas. They prefer warm temperatures and do not tolerate cold. Commonly they are found in landscape areas and are abundant in yards, in palm trees and hollow trees. Cockroaches are also common in basements, sewers, crawl spaces, cracks and crevices in porches and foundations. Typically, cockroaches will move indoors in rainy or cold climates and populations will increase visibly during those times. They may enter the house via sewer connections, under doors, around utility pipes and through air ducts. |
Common Fungi & Mould Allergens
| CLADOSPORIUM -Grows on plants, leather, rubber, cloth, paper and wood. One of the most common causes of mould allergy. (see: South African report of first case of chromoblastomycosis caused by Cladosporium (syn Cladophialophora) carrionii infection in a cat with feline immunodeficiency virus and lymphosarcoma (PubMed)) | ASPERGILLUS - Found in soil, damp hay, on grain and on fruit. (see: Invasive aspergillosis in developing countries (Wikipedia)) |
| PHOMA - Grows on magazines, books and other paper products. (see: Indoor Mold, Toxigenic Fungi, and Stachybotrys chartarum: Infectious Disease Perspective (PMC), Seasonal respiratory allergy and the associated pollens in South Africa (Sabinet)) | PENNICILLIUM - Grows on fruits, breads and cheese. A mutant form of the penicillium mould is used in the manufacture of penicillin. Allergy to penicillium spores however, should not be confused with allergy to penicillin as a medication. (see: Characterisation of allergens and airborne fungi in low and middle-income homes of primary school children in Durban, South Africa (PMC)) |
| ALTERNARIA - Often found growing on carpets, textiles and horizontal surfaces such as window frames. Also found in soil, seeds and plants, as well as in water damaged buildings. (see: Identification of the allergen that is responsible for symptoms is the key to the management of the allergic patient (PDF), and Mold Allergens in Respiratory Allergy: From Structure to Therapy (PMC)) | RHIZOPUS - Typically found in children’s sand boxes, in clusters of pine needles and leaves, sweet potato, strawberries, stewed fruit and amongst the nest, feathers and droppings of wild birds. (see: Mold Allergens in Respiratory Allergy: From Structure to Therapy (AAIR)) |
| CURVULARIA - May cause leaf spots and seedling blight. Also seen on castor beans, cotton, rice, barley, wheat and corn. (see: Identification of the allergen that is responsible for symptoms is the key to the management of the allergic patient (PDF)) | CANDIDA ALBICANS - Very seldom found as an airborne mould spore. They are common in soil, organic debris and in humans as a saprophyte in the nasal pharynx and faeces. (see: About Candida albicans: Natural yeast and problematic infections (Article)) |
| FUSARIUM - Widely distributed on numerous grasses and other plants and is a common soil fungus. Major parasites of rice, sugar cane, sorghum and maize grains. Also occurs regularly on fruit and vegetables. (see: Characterisation of allergens and airborne fungi in low and middle-income homes of primary school children in Durban, South Africa (PMC), and Occupational Allergy Among Table Grape Farm Workers in South Africa (PDF)) | PULLULARIA - This is the dominant fungus found on leaves. It also grows in the surface layers of many types of soils and is most prevalent following treatment of the soil with nitrogen. It has also been isolated from grasses, seeds, honey comb, nests and feathers of living birds, frozen fruit cake, leather, cotton fabrics and concrete surfaces. (see: Identification of the allergen that is responsible for symptoms is the key to the management of the allergic patient. (PDF), and The air-borne fungi in Johannesburg - a five-year survey as a basis for the study of fungus allergy in South Africa (Sabinet)) |
| HELMINTHOSPORIUM - Best known as parasites of cereals and grasses. Frequently they are isolated from grains, grasses, sugar cane, soil and textiles. (see: Identification of the allergen that is responsible for symptoms is the key to the management of the allergic patient (PDF), and Allergic Disorders in Africa and Africans: Is It Primarily a Priority? (PDF)) | NIGROSPORA - Most commonly found as a plant parasite. (see: Identification of the allergen that is responsible for symptoms is the key to the management of the allergic patient. (PDF)) |
| SMUTS - Most often found on corn, grasses, weeds, flowering plants and other fungi. Usually the spores are disseminated by wind. (see: Smut (fungus) (Wikipedia)) | STEMPHYLIUM - Isolated from dead plants and cellulose material. (see: Allergic bronchopulmonary stemphyliosis (PDF)) |
Reference: The Wider Field of Skin Conditions
Because “itchy skin” is such a broad label, here’s a fuller reference to the conditions a vet works through — from the itch-driven diseases, through hormone- and other hair-loss patterns, to pus-draining infections, autoimmune skin disease, and the lumps and bumps you might find while grooming. It’s a map, not a diagnosis: use it to have a better-informed conversation with your vet.
Itchy Skin Diseases in Dogs
| Condition | Short Description |
|---|---|
| Allergic contact dermatitis Skin Rash Due to Contact with Irritants in Dogs (PetMD) | Same as contact dermatitis, but rash may spread beyond the area of contact. Requires repeated or continuous exposure to allergen (such as wearing a flea collar). |
| Canine atopy Atopic Dermatitis Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments (PetMD) | Severe itching that occurs in young dogs and begins in late summer and fall. Caused by seasonal pollens. Occurs in mixed breeds as well as purebreds. Common. Tends to get worse each year. May start with face rubbing and foot chewing. |
| Chiggers Sarcoptic Mange in Dogs (PetMD) | Itching and severe skin irritation between the toes and around the ears and mouth. Look for barely visible red, yellow, or orange chiggers. |
| Contact dermatitis | Red, itchy bumps and inflamed skin at the site of contact with a chemical, detergent, paint. or other irritant. Primarily affects feet and hairless parts of the body. Can also be caused by rubber or plastic food dishes, with hair loss on the nose. |
| Damp hay itch (pelodera) | Red pimple like bumps on skin. Severe itching. Occurs in dogs bedded on damp hay and similar grass. Caused by a parasite. |
| Flea allergy dermatitis Flea Allergies in Dogs (Flea Allergy Dermatitis) (PetMD) | Red, itchy pimple like bumps over the base of the tail, back of rear legs, and inner thighs. Scratching continues after fleas have been killed. |
| Fleas | Itching and scratching along the back, and around the tail and hindquarters. Look for fleas, or black and white gritty specks in hair (flea faeces and eggs). |
| Fly-bite dermatitis | Painful bites at tips of erect ears and bent surfaces of floppy ears. Bites become scabbed and crusty black, and bleed easily. |
| Food allergy dermatitis Skin Disease Due to Food Allergies in Dogs (PetMD) | Non-seasonal itching with reddened skin, papules, pustules, and wheals. Found over the ears, rump, back of the legs, and under surface of the body. Sometimes confined just to the ears with moist, weeping redness. |
| Grubs / Cuterebra Botflies (Maggots) in Cats (PetMD) | Inch-long fly larvae that form cyst-like lumps beneath the skin with a hole in the centre for the insect to breathe. Often found beneath the chin, by the ears, or along the abdomen. |
| Lice | Two-millimetre-long insects, or white grains of “sand” (nits) attached to the hair. Not common. Found in dogs with matted coats. May have bare spots where hair has been rubbed off. |
| Lick granuloma (acral pruritic dermatitis) Acral Lick Dermatitis (PetMD) | Red, shiny skin ulcer caused by continuous licking at wrist or ankle. Mainly in large, short-coated breeds. |
| Maggots | Soft-bodied, legless fly larvae found in damp matted fur or wounds that aren’t kept clean. |
| Scabies (sarcoptic mange) Sarcoptic Mange in Dogs (PetMD) | Intense itching. Small red spots that look like insect bites on the skin of the ears, elbows, and hocks. Typical crusty ear tips. |
| Ticks | Large or very small insects attached to the skin. May swell up to the size of a pea. Found beneath the ear flaps and where hair is thin. May or may not induce itching. |
| Walking dandruff (cheyletiella mange) Skin Mite Dermatitis in Dogs (PetMD) | Occurs in puppies 2 to 12 weeks of age. Large amounts of dry, scaly, flaky skin over the neck and back. Itching is variable. |
Hormone-Related Diseases with Hair Loss in Dogs
| Condition | Short Description |
|---|---|
| Cortisone excess | Symmetric hair loss over trunk and body. Abdomen is pot-bellied and pendulous. Seen with Cushing’s syndrome. In some cases, the dog is taking steroids. |
| Growth hormone-responsive alopecia | Bilaterally symmetric hair loss, mainly in male dogs. Begins around puberty. More prevalent in certain breeds, including Chow Chows, Keeshonds, Pomeranians, Miniature Poodles, Airedales, and Boxers. |
| Hyperestrogenism (estrogen excess) Baldness and Hormone-Related Skin Disorders in Dogs (PetMD) | Occurs in females and males. Bilateral symmetric hair loss in perineum and around genitals. Enlarged vulva and clitoris; in males, pendulous prepuce. Seen in intact male dogs with testicular tumours (e.g. seminoma) and cryptorchidism - more common in the Boxer, Shetland Sheepdog, Weimaraner, German Shepherd, Cairn Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Pekingese and Collie. Male pseudohermaphrodite - affecting Miniature Schnauzer - associated with testicular tumours in intact, non-neutered males |
| Hypoestrogenism (estrogen deficiency) Hair Loss Due to Lack of Growth Hormone in Dogs (PetMD) | Occurs in older spayed females. Scanty hair growth and thinning coat, initially around vulva and later over entire body. Skin is smooth and soft, like a baby’s. More common in the Boxer and Dachshund. Variant - cyclical flank baldness and darkening of the skin in the Airedale, Boxer and English Bulldog. |
| Hypothyroidism Thyroid Hormone Deficiency in Dogs (PetMD) | Most common cause of bilaterally symmetric hair loss without itching. Coat is thin, scanty, and falls out easily. Involves the neck beneath the chin to the brisket, sides of body, backs of thighs, and top of tail. |
Other Diseases with Hair Loss in Dogs
| Condition | Short Description |
|---|---|
| Acanthosis nigrans Skin Disease (Canine Seborrhea) in Dogs (PetMD) | Mainly in Dachshunds. Hair loss begins in armpit folds and on ears. Black, thick, greasy, rancid-smelling skin. |
| Colour mutant alopecia (blue Doberman syndrome) Colour Dilution Alopecia (WikiVet) | Loss of hair over the body, giving a moth-eaten look. Papules and pustules may appear in areas of hair loss. Also affects other breeds. |
| Demodectic mange Pyotraumatic dermatitis (Wikipedia) | Localised - Occurs in puppies. Hair loss around eyelids, lips, and corners of mouth, occasionally on the legs or trunk, giving a moth-eaten look. Fewer than five patches, up to 25 mm in diameter. Generalised - Numerous patches that enlarge and coalesce. Severe skin problem complicated by pyoderma. Primarily affects young adults. Generalised form is associated with immune deficiencies. |
| Nasal solar dermatitis (Collie nose) Diseases of the Skin on the Nose in Dogs (PetMD) | Loss of hair at junction of nose and muzzle. Can lead to severe ulceration. Affects dogs with lightly pigmented noses. May be part of an autoimmune problem. |
| Pressure sore (Callus) | Grey, hairless, thickened pad of wrinkled skin, usually over elbows but may involve other pressure points. Caused by lying on hard surfaces. Mostly seen in large and giant breeds. |
| Ringworm Ringworm in Dogs (PetMD) | A fungal infection. Scaly, crusty circular patches 12 to 50 mm across. Patches show central hair loss with a red ring at the periphery. Some cases show widespread involvement. |
| Sebaceous adenitis Inflammatory Skin Disease in Dogs (PetMD) | Seen mainly in Standard Poodles, but does occur in other breeds, including Akitas. Symmetrical loss of hair over face, head, neck, and back. Dandruff like scales and hair follicle infection can develop. |
| Seborrhea Skin Disease (Canine Seborrhea) in Dogs (PetMD) | Dry type - Similar to heavy dandruff. Greasy type - Yellow-brown greasy scales that adhere to hair shafts; rancid odour. May occur secondary to other skin problems. |
| Vitiligo Vitiligo in Dogs and Cats: Everything You Need to Know (PetMD) | Some hair loss, but mostly pigment loss that causes hair to change colour. Mostly seen on the face and head. Seen most often in Rottweilers and Belgian Tervuren. |
| Zinc-responsive dermatosis Zinc Deficiency (WikiVet) | Crusty, scaly skin with hair loss over the face, nose, elbows, and hocks. Cracked feet. Caused by zinc deficiency. Arctic or Northern breeds are most susceptible. |
Skin Diseases with Pus Drainage
| Condition | Short Description |
|---|---|
| Actinomycosis and nocardiosis Actinomycetes Overview (WikiVet) | Uncommon skin infections with abscesses and draining sinus tracts that discharge pus and respond slowly to treatment. |
| Acute moist dermatitis (hot spots) Pyotraumatic dermatitis (acute moist dermatitis, hot spot) (VetPractice) | Rapidly advancing patches of inflamed skin from which the hair falls out. The skin is covered with a wet exudate of pus. Progresses through self-chewing and results in pyoderma. Often occurs under ear flaps of dogs with drop ears, such as Newfoundland’s and Golden Retrievers. May be associated with an underlying skin disease, but can also occur in hot, humid weather if dogs swim or are bathed and don’t dry thoroughly. |
| Cellulitis or abscess Cellulitis in Dogs (VetInfo) | Painful, warm, reddened skin or pockets of pus beneath the skin. Look for a cause, such as a foreign body, bite wound, or self-trauma from irritated skin disease. |
| Folliculitis (hair pore infection) Sarcoptic Mange in Dogs (PetMD) | Hair shaft protrudes through the centre of a pustule. Superficial - Similar to impetigo, but extends to involve armpit folds and chest. Deep - Pustules become larger and firmer. Pus, crusts, and draining tracts in the skin. |
| Impetigo Canine impetigo in puppies (VetPractice) | Pustules and thin brown crust on hairless skin of abdomen and groin. Occurs in young puppies. May also be called puppy acne. |
| Interdigital cysts Interdigital Cysts in Dogs (VetPartner) | A swelling between the toes that may open and drain pus. |
| Mycetoma Mycetomas (MSD ManualMSD ManualMSD Manual) | Painful swelling at the site of a puncture wound, usually on the legs or feet. Pus drains through sinus tracts deep in the mass. Usually caused by a fungus, but can be bacterial. |
| Puppy acne | Purplish red bumps on the chin and lower lip. Not painful. Also called impetigo. |
| Puppy strangles (juvenile pyoderma) Skin Ulcers in Dogs (PetMD) | Painful swelling of the face (lips, eyelids, ears), followed by rapid appearance of pustules and draining sores. Swollen lymph nodes around the head and neck. Occurs in puppies under 4 months of age. |
| Skin fold pyoderma (skin wrinkle infection) Overview of Pyoderma (MSD Manual) | Red, inflamed skin with a foul odour in a lip fold, nose fold, vulvar fold, or tail fold. |
Autoimmune and Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases in Dogs
| Condition | Short Description |
|---|---|
| Bullous pemphigoid Mouth Inflammation and Ulcers (Chronic) in Dogs (PetMD) | Similar to pemphigus vulgaris, but usually begins at the junction of the skin and the mucous membranes. The mouth is commonly involved. |
| Discoid lupus erythematosus | Affects the flat surface of the nose. Ulceration and depigmentation are characteristic. |
| Erythema multiforme Skin Reactions to Drugs in Dogs (PetMD) | Acute eruption of the skin and mucous membranes. Often caused by drugs. Characteristic target like eruptions with red rims and blanching at the centre. |
| Pemphigus erythematosus | Similar to pemphigus foliaceus, but restricted to the face, head, and foot pads. |
| Pemphigus foliaceus Skin Disease, Autoimmune (Pemphigus) in Dogs (PetMD) | Red skin patches (macules) that progress rapidly to pustules and then to dry yellow crusts. Usually limited to the face (nose, muzzle, around the eyes and ears). Crusts adhere to underlying skin and hair. Often becomes generalized. Depigmentation seen in late stages. The feet can become thickened and cracked. Occasionally only the foot pads are involved. |
| Pemphigus vegetans | Flat-topped pustules involving skin folds. Heals with wart like growths. |
| Pemphigus vulgaris | Vesicles and bullae that ulcerate and form thick crusts. Usually found around the lips and in the mouth, but may be generalized. Ulceration of foot pads and shedding of nails are common. |
| Nodular panniculitis Fatty Layer or Nodule Under the Skin in Dogs (PetMD) | Multiple lumps (like marbles beneath the skin) over the back and along the sides. Lumps open and drain, then heal by scarring. |
| Systemic lupus erythematosus Systemic Autoimmune Disease in Dogs (PetMD) | Skin involvement similar to pemphigus foliaceus. First sign may be wandering lameness. Ulceration of foot pads is common. |
| Toxic epidermal necrolysis Skin Reactions to Drugs in Dogs (PetMD) | Severe, painful skin disease. Blebs and ulcers involve the skin, mucous membranes, and foot pads. Large sections of skin are shed as in a burn injury. |
Lumps and Bumps on or Beneath the Skin in Dogs
| Condition | Short Description |
|---|---|
| Abscess | A painful collection of pus at the site of a bite or puncture wound. |
| Basal cell tumour Skin Cancer (Basal Cell Tumor) in Dogs (PetMD) | Solitary nodule, usually on a narrow base or stalk. Round, normally hairless, and may be ulcerated. Found on the head, neck, and shoulders of older dogs. |
| Ceruminous gland adenoma Ceruminous Gland Tumors (MSD ManualMSD ManualMSD Manual) | A pinkish-white dome-shaped growth in the ear canal less than 1 centimetre in size. May become ulcerated and infected. |
| Epidermal inclusion cyst | A firm lump beneath the skin. May discharge cheesy material and become infected. |
| Hematoma Hematoma on Dogs (PetMD) | A collection of clotted blood beneath the skin; often involves the ear flaps. |
| Histiocytoma Skin Tumor (Histiocytoma) in Dogs (PetMD) | Rapidly growing dome-shaped (button like) growth found anywhere on the body, usually in young adults. |
| Lipoma Fatty Skin Tumors in Dogs (PetMD) | Smooth round or oblong growth beneath the skin; feels somewhat soft. |
| Mast cell tumour Mast Cell Tumor (Mastocytoma) in Dogs (PetMD) | Solitary or multiple growths usually found on the trunk, perineum, and legs. More prevalent in certain breeds, including Boxers, Golden Retrievers, Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers. |
| Melanoma Melanoma Tumors in Dogs (PetMD) | A brown or black pigmented nodule found in areas of dark skin. Growths in mouth and nailbeds usually are malignant. |
| Perianal Fistula (AF) Chronic Inflammation of the Anus, Rectum or Perineum Region in Dogs (PetMD) | Characterized by a chronic, painful and progressive inflammatory disease of the perianal, anal and perirectal tissue. Recent studies showing clinical resolution with diet changes emphasizes the important role dietary allergens play in the etiology of this disease. This disease mainly affects large breed dogs such as the German Shepherd, Irish Setter, Labrador Retriever, Old English Sheepdog and Border Collie. In German Shepherds, an association between perianal fistulas and colitis exists, further emphasizing the role of inflammatory mediators in this disease. |
| Perianal gland tumour Anal Gland Cancer in Dogs (PetMD) | A solitary or multinodular growth in the perineum around the anus. Occurs most often in older intact males. |
| Sebaceous adenoma Lumps, Bumps, Cysts & Growths on Dogs (PetMD) | Also called sebaceous cyst. Smooth, pink, wart like growth less than 2.5 cm in diameter. Most common on the eyelids and limbs. Occurs in older individuals (average age 10). Very common in Poodles and Cocker Spaniels. |
| Skin papillomas All About Dog Warts: Types, Causes, and Treatments (PetMD) | These grow out from the skin and may look like a wart. Not painful or dangerous |
| Soft-tissue sarcomas 8 Types of Dog Tumors and How to Treat Them (PetMD) | Ill-defined or well-demarcated masses of varying size and location. Often slow growing. |
| Squamous cell carcinoma Skin Cancer (Squamous Cell Carcinoma) in Dogs (PetMD) | A non-healing grey or reddish-looking ulcer found on the belly, scrotum, feet, legs, lips, or nose. May resemble a cauliflower like growth. |
| Transmissible venereal tumours Sexually Transmitted Tumors in Dogs (PetMD) | Ulcerated, often multiple cauliflower-like growths on the genitalia of both sexes. |
Key Takeaways
- True food allergies are uncommon; food sensitivities are what most pets actually have.
- Chicken is usually innocent — “chicken-flavoured” kibble barely contains chicken.
- Skip the allergy tests. No blood/saliva/hair test reliably identifies a food allergy; the elimination diet is the gold standard.
- Elimination = one novel protein, 8–12 strict weeks, then reintroduce one food at a time. Raw makes the short ingredient list effortless.
- Often it’s not the food — it’s the additives in processed food. Clean, whole food removes the unknowns.
- Feed the skin: adequate omega-3, minimal omega-6, no high-heat processing artefacts.
- Get a diagnosis first — “itchy” has five causes and they don’t all answer to diet.
Sources
- Hagen-Plantinga EA, Leistra MHG, Sinke JD, Vroom MW, Savelkoul HFJ, Hendriks WH. Measurement of allergen-specific IgG in serum is of limited value for the management of dogs diagnosed with cutaneous adverse food reactions. The Veterinary Journal. 2017;220:111–116. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2017.01.009
- Bauer JE. Essential fatty acid metabolism in dogs and cats. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia. 2008;37(spe):20–27. doi:10.1590/S1516-35982008001300004
* Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian or doctor.