Why Do Your Dogs Get Hives?

I have a cute Beagle named “Rocket” who got hives all over his back a few weeks ago. He was itching so bad that he couldn’t even walk, which was heartbreaking to watch. I had no idea what was going on at first, but after doing some research I discovered that most dogs get hives from allergies. There are a lot of different triggers for allergies in dogs some dogs can be allergic to everything from grasses and weeds to dandruff and dust mites.

Dogs have been known to get hives and it’s usually a mystery why. Here are some of the causes plus some thoughts on how to treat them.

What Are Hives?

Hives are raised red welts on your dog’s skin that usually come in clusters. They’re caused by an allergic reaction that causes the release of histamine, which causes blood vessels under the surface of the skin to dilate and leak fluid into surrounding tissues. The result is those visible red bumps we know as hives.

What Causes Hives in Dogs?

Your dog might get hives for a number of reasons. If you see the telltale red bumps on your dog’s skin, you’ll want to know what they mean and how to treat them. Here’s what you need to know about why dogs get hives and how to deal with it.

There are many things that can cause hives in dogs, including:

• Insect bites or stings (fleas or ticks)

• Contact with plants like poison ivy or poison oak

• Food allergies (these can be severe enough to cause anaphylaxis)

• Inhalant allergies (dust mites, pollen, mould spores)

• Drug reactions (medications such as penicillin)

• Skin infections (bacterial or fungal).

Why Do Dogs Get Hives?

You may have noticed your dog scratching and itching a lot lately. If you notice that your dog has developed red, swollen patches on their skin, it’s possible that they have hives. Hives are an allergic reaction that can affect dogs as well as humans. While we don’t know exactly why some dogs experience hives, we do know that there are many things that can trigger them in both animals and humans.

Hives typically appear on the skin as raised welts or bumps. The rash may itch or hurt, but it won’t cause any permanent damage to your pet. Some types of hives can be quite serious and require immediate medical attention, though most cases are mild enough to resolve on their own within a few days.