Are Dog Allergy Tests Worth It? A Complete Guide for Confused Pet Parents

Is your furry friend constantly scratching, licking their paws, or dealing with recurring ear infections? You might be wondering if those dog allergy tests your vet mentioned are actually worth the time and money As a pet parent who’s been through this journey myself, I totally understand the confusion!

In this guide, I’m gonna break down everything you need to know about dog allergy testing – from the different types available to costs and whether they’re really worth investing in. Let’s dive in and figure this out together!

What Are Dog Allergies Anyway?

Before we jump into testing, let’s quickly understand what we’re dealing with. Dogs, just like us humans, can develop allergic reactions to stuff in their environment or food. When my Golden Retriever, Max, started excessively scratching and developed red, irritated skin, I had no idea what was happening!

Common symptoms of allergies in dogs include:

• Excessive scratching, licking, or chewing
• Red, irritated skin
• Recurring ear infections
• Hair loss
• Constant paw licking
• Face rubbing
• Scooting or licking at their rear end
• Sometimes digestive issues like loose stools or vomiting (though skin issues are more common)

What surprised me is that dogs don’t typically get the “hay fever” symptoms we humans do. While they might occasionally have watery eyes or sneezing, skin problems are usually the biggest telltale sign.

Types of Dog Allergy Tests

When my vet first mentioned allergy testing, I was honestly overwhelmed by the options. Here’s what I learned about the main types:

1. Intradermal Allergy Testing (IDAT)

This is considered the gold standard for environmental allergy testing in dogs. Here’s what happens:

• Your dog gets sedated (they need to be still for this)
• A patch of hair is shaved on one side of their body
• The vet injects small amounts of various allergens into the skin
• They monitor each injection site for reactions (redness and swelling)

The vet told me this test is pretty accurate but needs to be done by a specialist (usually a veterinary dermatologist). It’s the most reliable way to identify what environmental triggers are causing your dog’s allergies.

2. Blood Testing (RAST)

This is a less invasive option where:

• Your vet takes a blood sample
• The sample gets sent to a lab
• The lab measures antibodies against specific allergens

The vet was honest with me that RAST testing has a higher rate of false positives than IDAT, but it’s still useful, especially if your dog can’t undergo skin testing for some reason.

3. Food Trials

For suspected food allergies, this is actually the most reliable method:

• Your dog eats a special hypoallergenic diet for 6-8 weeks
• ALL other foods, treats, and flavored meds are eliminated
• If symptoms improve, food allergies are likely
• Foods are then slowly reintroduced to identify specific triggers

I went through this with Max, and while it was challenging to be super strict for 2 months, it was absolutely worth finding out he had a chicken allergy!

What About Hair or Saliva Tests?

You might see these advertised online, but both of my sources confirmed that their accuracy isn’t proven. My neighbor spent $200 on an online hair test for her dog, and the results were so general they weren’t helpful at all.

When Should You Consider Allergy Testing?

Not every itchy dog needs allergy testing. Here’s when it’s worth considering:

• Your dog has chronic or recurrent symptoms (itchiness, ear infections, etc.)
• Your vet has ruled out other common causes like fleas, mites, or skin infections
• Basic allergy medications aren’t providing adequate relief
• You want to identify specific triggers to avoid them
• You’re interested in pursuing immunotherapy (allergy shots)

Before I did testing for Max, the vet checked for parasites and skin infections to make sure we weren’t missing something simpler.

The Benefits vs. Risks of Dog Allergy Testing

Benefits

• Identifies specific allergens your dog reacts to
• Helps you avoid triggers when possible
• Can guide development of immunotherapy (allergy shots)
• For food allergies, can help you find a diet that won’t cause reactions
• May save money long-term by addressing the root cause

Risks

• Skin testing can cause discomfort from itching and swelling
• Sedation is required for IDAT (which carries minimal risks)
• Rarely, a dog could have a severe allergic reaction
• Food trials require strict adherence which can be challenging

How Much Do Dog Allergy Tests Cost?

This is often the biggest question for pet parents. According to the sources, here’s what you can expect:

• IDAT or RAST testing: $200-$500
• Food trial: $50-$100 per month for special diets

This doesn’t include the vet visit fees or any treatments that follow. When I had Max tested, the testing itself was about $350, but with the consultation and initial medications, the total came closer to $500.

Preparing for Allergy Testing

If your dog is getting IDAT testing, there’s some prep involved:

• Your dog will need to fast before sedation (usually after midnight the night before)
• Some medications interfere with results and need to be stopped:
  • Steroids like prednisone
  • Antihistamines like Benadryl
  • Some allergy medications need to be stopped weeks before testing

When Max was scheduled for testing, we had to stop his antihistamines two weeks prior. I won’t lie – those were a rough couple weeks with his symptoms flaring up, but the vet gave us alternatives to help manage his discomfort.

Do the Test Results Actually Lead to Better Treatment?

This is the million-dollar question, right? Based on the information from veterinary sources, here’s what I’ve learned:

For Environmental Allergies:

If your dog tests positive for environmental allergens, your vet might recommend:

1. Immunotherapy (allergy shots) – These are custom-made based on your dog’s specific triggers and can be very effective for long-term management. About 60-70% of dogs show significant improvement with immunotherapy.

2. Avoidance strategies – Knowing specific triggers can help you reduce exposure (like changing walking routes during high pollen seasons or using air purifiers for dust mite allergies).

3. Targeted medications – Rather than general allergy meds, your vet can prescribe treatments specific to your dog’s allergy type.

For Food Allergies:

A food trial can be lifechanging if your dog has food allergies:

1. Appropriate diet selection – Once you know what ingredients cause problems, you can choose foods that don’t contain those allergens.

2. Avoiding unnecessary restrictions – Instead of guessing and eliminating multiple ingredients, you’ll know exactly what to avoid.

Are There Alternatives to Allergy Testing?

If you decide not to pursue testing, your vet can still help manage your dog’s allergies with:

• General allergy medications like Apoquel or Atopica
• Medicated shampoos and topical treatments
• Skin-supporting supplements
• Broad spectrum diet changes

However, these approaches treat symptoms rather than identifying the underlying cause.

The Bottom Line: Is Allergy Testing Worth It?

Based on all the information, here’s my take as someone who’s been through it:

Food trials are almost always worth it if your vet suspects food allergies. They’re relatively inexpensive compared to lifelong symptom management, and knowing exactly what foods trigger your dog’s allergies is invaluable.

For environmental allergies, it depends on your situation:

• If your dog’s symptoms are mild and well-controlled with basic medications, testing might not be necessary.
• If symptoms are severe, recurrent, or require ongoing medication, testing is probably worth it – especially if you want to try immunotherapy.
• IDAT testing is most worthwhile if you plan to pursue immunotherapy.

For us, allergy testing was definitely worth it. We discovered Max was allergic to chicken, dust mites, and several types of pollen. Changing his diet completely resolved his digestive issues, and while we couldn’t eliminate all the environmental triggers, knowing what they were helped us make changes that reduced his exposure.

Real Talk: What I Wish I’d Known Before Testing

If I could go back and give myself advice, here’s what I’d say:

1. Be prepared for the commitment – Food trials especially require strict adherence, which means everyone in the household needs to be on board.

2. Understand the timeline – Allergy testing and treatments like immunotherapy aren’t quick fixes. It can take 6-12 months to see full results from immunotherapy.

3. Insurance might help – Check if your pet insurance covers allergy testing before proceeding.

4. Find a good dermatologist – For IDAT especially, the skill of the veterinary dermatologist matters a lot.

5. Keep a symptom diary – Before and during testing, tracking your dog’s symptoms can help identify patterns and evaluate treatment effectiveness.

Final Thoughts

Dog allergy testing isn’t right for every situation, but for many dogs with chronic allergy symptoms, it can be the key to better management and improved quality of life. For Max, identifying his specific allergies was a game-changer, and seeing him comfortable in his skin again made the investment worthwhile.

Have you gone through allergy testing with your dog? What was your experience like? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments!

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The most common dog allergy is to fleas, specifically flea allergy dermatitis, which causes itchy skin from flea bites. Environmental allergies, also known as atopic dermatitis, are also very common and triggered by things like pollen, dust mites, and mold. While food allergies occur, they are less prevalent than flea and environmental allergies, though beef, dairy, and chicken are common culprits.