Dog Allergy Testing: New Research, Better Answers for Owners

Allergies in dogs can be frustrating, both for the animals who feel constantly uncomfortable and for the owners who are left guessing about the cause. If your dog has ever scratched endlessly at their paws, suffered recurring ear infections, or had ongoing stomach issues with no clear explanation, you will know how difficult it is to get to the bottom of it. Vets often try a mix of elimination diets, medication and lifestyle adjustments, but the process can feel slow and uncertain.

A recent study at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in the United States has shone new light on how allergy testing for dogs can be improved. The research compared different testing methods and found that a refined approach could lead to more accurate results. While this particular study was carried out in the US and the exact method may not yet be widely available internationally, it points towards a shift in how vets everywhere may soon be diagnosing allergies in dogs.

This article will explore what the new research says, what allergy testing currently looks like, how you might recognise the signs of allergies in your own dog, and what the future could hold for owners who are struggling with unexplained symptoms.

Understanding dog allergies

Allergies happen when the immune system reacts to something in the environment or diet that it mistakenly sees as harmful. For people, this often means sneezing, itchy eyes or rashes. For dogs, the signs are usually different. Instead of hayfever-style symptoms, dogs tend to show allergies through their skin, ears and digestive system.

A dog with an allergy might scratch constantly, lick or chew their paws until they are red, develop recurrent ear infections, or have bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea. In some cases their coat may look dull, or patches of fur may fall out due to scratching and licking. These symptoms can look similar to other conditions, which is why allergy testing can be so important.

The challenge of diagnosis

Until recently, testing for allergies in dogs has relied on two main approaches. The first is intradermal skin testing, where small amounts of potential allergens are injected under the skin to see if there is a reaction. This is usually done by veterinary dermatologists and can be quite involved. The second approach is blood testing, where a sample is analysed for antibodies that suggest an immune response to specific allergens.

Both methods have their uses, but they also have limitations. Results can sometimes be inconsistent, false positives can occur, and the interpretation often depends on the experience of the vet or lab technician. This means that while tests can provide guidance, they are not always as clear or as accurate as owners might hope.

What the UNMC research discovered

The UNMC study compared three different ways of preparing dog allergen extracts for testing: standard dog epithelium, acetone precipitated dog (AP dog), and a new ultrafiltered dog extract. The researchers found that the ultrafiltered version picked up significantly more cases of allergy. It identified around 5 percent more positive results than the AP dog method and about 14 percent more than the standard dog epithelium.

This may sound like a small improvement, but in practice it could mean that dogs who would previously have gone undiagnosed could now be identified and treated more accurately. The ultrafiltered extract has already been approved for use in immunotherapy treatments in the US, and this research suggests it could also play a role in more precise testing.

Why this matters for owners

For any owner who has watched their dog suffer with unexplained itching, digestive upset or constant infections, the promise of more reliable testing is encouraging. Better accuracy could mean quicker answers, fewer unnecessary treatments, and ultimately a better quality of life for the dog.

Allergy testing is not always about finding a perfect solution. Sometimes the goal is to narrow down the possibilities, rule out certain causes, and give the vet a clearer picture. If testing methods can provide more reliable information, then vets can make more confident decisions about whether to recommend diet changes, medication, or allergy-specific treatments.

Current availability

At the time of writing, the ultrafiltered method studied at UNMC is primarily used in the US, and it is not yet clear how quickly it will become available in other countries. That said, allergy testing in dogs is a well-established field, and many advanced tests are already offered worldwide. In Europe, for example, blood tests such as Pet Allergy Xplorer (PAX) are available and aim to provide detailed results by examining both whole allergens and molecular components.

If you are based outside the US, including in Ireland or the UK, your vet may not yet have access to the exact method described in the UNMC study. However, it is worth asking about current options for allergy testing, as many labs and specialists do already use modern techniques that go far beyond the older, less reliable approaches.

Recognising when to seek advice

It is important not to assume that every itch or upset stomach means an allergy. Dogs can scratch due to fleas, mites, infections, or even stress. Digestive issues can be linked to parasites, sudden food changes or underlying medical conditions. What makes allergies more likely is when symptoms are ongoing, recur in patterns, or fail to improve despite treatment.

If your dog is constantly uncomfortable, has skin problems that don’t clear up, or digestive troubles that seem unrelated to diet changes, then speaking to your vet about the possibility of allergies can be worthwhile. A detailed history, physical examination and discussion of your dog’s environment will often come before any testing is carried out.

The bigger picture

While research like the UNMC study is promising, it is also worth remembering that no single test can provide all the answers. Allergies are complex, and many dogs are sensitive to multiple triggers. In some cases, test results may point towards likely allergens, but careful observation and trial management in the home will still be needed.

What studies like this do is improve the overall toolkit available to vets. The more accurate and reliable the tests become, the easier it is to piece together the full picture and give owners a clear path forward. Even small improvements in testing accuracy can reduce uncertainty and help avoid unnecessary treatments.

Practical steps for owners right now

If you are concerned about your dog and suspect allergies, here are some steps that can help you prepare before visiting your vet. Keep a diary of your dog’s symptoms, noting when they occur, what your dog ate, and what environment they were in. Pay attention to whether issues flare up seasonally, after walks in certain areas, or after particular foods.

Discuss your observations with your vet and ask whether allergy testing could be useful. Even if the latest ultrafiltered methods are not yet available in your country, your vet may be able to send samples to a specialist lab or refer you to a veterinary dermatologist for more in-depth testing. The more information you can provide, the easier it will be for your vet to decide whether testing is the right next step.

Looking ahead

The field of veterinary allergy research is moving forward, and studies like this one suggest that better answers are within reach. For owners, this means that the trial-and-error approach of the past may soon give way to more precise diagnosis and targeted treatment. While it may take time for new methods to become widely available outside the US, the direction is clear.

As an owner, the most practical step you can take is to stay informed, keep track of your dog’s health patterns, and maintain open communication with your vet. If you feel something is being missed, don’t be afraid to ask about referral options or newer testing methods.

Conclusion

Dog allergies can be complicated, frustrating and at times overwhelming. But research is improving our understanding and opening doors to more accurate diagnosis. The UNMC study on ultrafiltered dog extracts is one example of how the science is progressing, offering hope to owners who have struggled with unexplained symptoms.

Even if the exact methods are not yet available everywhere, the message is that allergy testing is becoming more precise. By working with your vet, observing your dog carefully, and staying aware of new developments, you can give your dog the best chance of comfort and relief.

References

• University of Nebraska Medical Center. “UNMC research finds better method of testing for dog allergy.” September 2025. UNMC Newsroom

• Morris Animal Foundation. “Newly funded senior dog health studies.” 2025. Morris Animal Foundation

• Veterinary Practice. “What do I need to know about allergy testing?” 2023. Veterinary Practice

• Nextmune. “Pet Allergy Xplorer (PAX) allergy test.” Nextmune

• Frontiers in Veterinary Science. “A systematic review of diagnostic approaches to canine and feline allergies.” 2025. Frontiers in Veterinary Science

• PMC (US National Library of Medicine). “Dog and Cat Allergies: Current State of Diagnostic.” 2018. PMC