Dog's Foot Allergies

A dog can develop allergies at any stage of his life. Because there is no fur protecting the bottom of his feet, when a dog walks on something that might cause an allergic reaction, there is no protection against experiencing a contact allergy to that substance.

  1. Dog Allergies

    • A dog comes in contact with a variety of allergens every day. Allergens are harmless substances that cause no reaction in most dogs. If a dog is sensitive to an allergen, then his immune system will react to the allergen like it is a health threat. The immune system will try to expel the allergen from a dog's body and this is what causes an allergic reaction in a dog.

    Causes

    • A dog can be allergic to pollens, dust and smoke. He can also be allergic to things he touches, including chemicals, fabrics and cleaning products. If a dog is allergic to a cleaning product used to wash a floor, then he will experience contact dermatitis on his foot when he walks across it. Chemicals found in carpet dyes and in carpet cleaning solutions are likely to cause contact dermatitis is dogs.

    Symptoms

    • A dog experiencing contact dermatitis on his foot will spend a lot of time licking his paw. His foot might appear swollen or painful. A rash will develop on the pads on the bottom of his paw. The rash will cause the pads to look irritated and red. They could also appear moist or weepy. In time, the skin can turn into a scab or become crusty.

    Treatment

    • The first line of treatment for allergies affecting a dog's foot is to remove the allergen from a dog's environment, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. If a dog is allergic to certain chemicals or dyes, those should not be used in a dog's home. After the allergen is removed, the allergic reaction should end. A veterinarian can provide topical or oral corticosteroid medication that can help relieve symptoms such as itching or swelling.

    Considerations

    • A dog experiencing an allergic reaction can scratch and bite at his skin so much that it damages it. If this happens, the dog could also develop bacterial or yeast infections on his paws in addition to the symptoms of his allergies. The dog will need antibiotics or antifungal medication to clear the secondary infections before all symptoms will disappear, according to the "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook."