The Allergy Epidemic: What Changed for Dogs?
Environmental factors may explain the rising rates of canine atopic dermatitis
Spring allergy season brings a familiar surge of itchy patients to veterinary clinics, but the numbers tell a concerning story. Canine atopic dermatitis rates have climbed steadily over recent decades, prompting researchers to examine what has changed in our dogs’ environment during this same timeframe.
A comprehensive review published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association provides new insights into this trend. Dr. Rosanna Marsella examined the environmental shifts that parallel rising allergy rates in both humans and dogs, identifying specific modifiable factors that may contribute to disease development.¹
The Modern Dog’s Environment
Today’s dogs live dramatically different lives than their predecessors. Urban living has replaced rural exposure for most companion animals, fundamentally altering their microbial encounters and immune system development. Rural environments traditionally provided contact with diverse microbiota that helped shape balanced immune responses.
Current environmental exposures include:
- Increased air pollution from urban environments
- Higher chemical exposure through household products, detergents, and surfactants
- Plastic and synthetic material contact in toys, bowls, and living spaces
- Commercial food additives replacing varied, fresh ingredient diets
The research highlights how these exposures create a cascade of effects: epithelial damage, chronic low-grade inflammation, dysbiosis, and increased allergen penetration—all contributing to sensitization and allergic disease development.
Dietary and Lifestyle Shifts
The modern dog’s diet has standardized significantly. Where dogs once consumed varied home-cooked meals, table scraps, and raw ingredients, commercial diets now dominate feeding practices. This dietary narrowing may reduce exposure to beneficial microbes and diverse nutrients that support immune tolerance.
Lifestyle changes compound these dietary effects:
- Reduced physical activity and increased sedentary time
- Rising obesity rates correlating with human trends
- Limited outdoor exploration in natural environments
Research in human medicine demonstrates clear associations between these factors and increased atopic dermatitis risk. The shared environment between dogs and owners suggests similar mechanisms may operate across species.
The Stress Connection
An often-overlooked factor is the bidirectional stress relationship between owners and pets. Modern life stress affects human caregivers, and dogs tend to mirror their owners’ anxiety levels. Chronic stress influences immune system function and inflammatory responses, potentially increasing susceptibility to allergic conditions.
This connection represents both a challenge and an opportunity for intervention, as improvements in household stress management could benefit both human and canine residents.
Practical Assessment Points
Understanding these environmental influences provides veterinarians with specific areas to explore during allergy consultations:
Environmental modifications to discuss:
- Air quality improvement through filtration systems
- Reduction of chemical cleaners and fragrances in living spaces
- Selection of natural fiber bedding and toys when possible
- Regular cleaning protocols for dust and allergen control
Lifestyle considerations:
- Increased outdoor activity in natural settings when appropriate
- Weight management through diet and exercise programs
- Stress reduction strategies for the household
Nutritional evaluation:
- Assessment of current diet variety and processing levels
- Discussion of appropriate fresh food additions when suitable
- Review of food storage and contamination prevention
Early Life Opportunities
The research emphasizes early-life environmental factors as particularly influential in disease development. This creates opportunities for preventive discussions with puppy owners about:
- Environmental exposure balance during socialization periods
- Introduction of varied, appropriate experiences
- Household chemical reduction during critical development windows
Moving Forward
These findings shift focus toward modifiable environmental influences rather than solely genetic or infectious causes. The evidence suggests that modern living conditions, while providing safety and convenience, may inadvertently promote allergic disease development through reduced microbial diversity and increased chemical exposures.
The parallel rise in allergic diseases across humans and dogs sharing the same environments supports this environmental hypothesis. As urban living continues to expand and chemical exposures increase, understanding these connections becomes increasingly relevant for preventive veterinary medicine.
Spring allergy season provides an opportunity to discuss these environmental factors with clients, exploring which modifications might be practical and beneficial for individual households.
This article is based on research presented in VetOnIt CE webinars on dermatology and environmental health. For continuing education opportunities on allergy management and environmental medicine, visit our on-demand library.
Official Sources
- Marsella, R. Environmental factors are responsible for the rise of atopic dermatitis in dogs: veterinarians should focus on modifiable influences. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2025;264(1):11-19. doi: 10.2460/javma.25.06.0391. PMID: 40997904.