If you notice that your dog is constantly scratching, licking or biting, it may be caused by atopic dermatitis, a medical condition that requires specialist treatment. Like humans, dogs can be allergic to common substances in the environment, such as pollen from grasses and trees, fungi and mites.

Dogs can also be allergic to fleas, carpets, insecticides or even shampoo ingredients. These allergens can cause itching and the cycle begins. It is important to arrange a meeting with a veterinary dermatology specialist to pinpoint the cause of your dog's itching in the environment and discuss appropriate treatment.

Environmental allergic itching in dogs can be a short-term seasonal problem or can become a lifelong condition that requires lifelong care. Dogs with persistent itching have often been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease very similar to eczema in humans. This skin condition is more common than you might think. In fact, it affects up to 10% of dogs worldwide.

Over time, atopic dermatitis can worsen and affect your dog's quality of life.  After itching, the skin may be red, scaly and irritated and a rash may develop.  If the dog is not treated, there is even a risk of infection of the skin and ears.  Dogs with this type of itching sometimes lose interest in playing.  It can also affect your sleep - constantly listening to the sounds of licking, chewing and scratching from your pet.  Who wouldn't stay awake?

A veterinary dermatologist will evaluate the health of your pet to determine if the symptoms are related to the allergy. Some pets have problems with skin irritation and/or infection if they are allergic to a chemical, type of feed or environmental allergens. Specialized medications can be given to these patients to ensure their comfort and relieve any itching and pain.

If the pet has difficulty breathing, medications are usually used to alleviate the symptoms. A specialist veterinarian will assess the behaviour of your pet, as well as their physical difficulties, in order to determine the exact reasons for their symptoms.

Food allergy occurs when a dog's immune system mistakenly identifies a component in their food as harmful. The pet will then create defensive antibodies to fight the perceived enemy attacking them.

Symptoms of allergies include skin rashes, hives, itching, paw bites, licking, and sometimes nausea or vomiting.

Food intolerance is a digestive problem rather than an immune response. Intolerance occurs when an animal's digestive system is unable to digest a particular ingredient.

Symptoms of food intolerance include, in particular, indigestion, flatulence, bloating, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea.

Allergies are related to your pet's own immune system and are not caused by a problem with the product itself.  So if a dog is allergic to a particular ingredient, it is likely to experience the same adverse reaction to that ingredient, no matter what brand of food you find it in.

Maybe not, because food is only one of the three causes of dog allergies.  The symptoms you observe may not be related to your pet's diet.

The food ingredients that are most likely to cause an allergic reaction in dogs include:

• Beef
• Milk products
• Chicken
• Lamb
• Fish
• Sweetcorn
• Wheat
• Soy
• Yeast

Fortunately, some dog foods have been intentionally designed to help you manage or isolate these problems. You should contact a veterinary dermatology specialist who will help you select an appropriate diet in order to help you solve the problem.

Allergies can have serious consequences for your pet. Remember, much of the advice offered online may not be right for your dog so be sure to seek the help of a veterinary dermatologist.