It’s Not Always One or the Other
If your dog’s always itchy… and also a little edgy, the two might be more connected than you think.
It’s not just that allergies and anxiety happen together—they can actually make each other worse.
Inflammation and stress are closely linked inside the body. When one rises, the other often does too. So if your dog struggles with chronic itchiness, digestive upset, or restlessness, it’s worth looking at the bigger picture—and the root causes underneath it all.
How Allergies and Anxiety Are Connected
When we think about allergies, we usually think of triggers: pollen, food, dust mites. When we think about anxiety, we think of emotional triggers: storms, car rides, being left alone.
But under the surface, the body processes both through the same pathways—especially the gut and immune system.
- A stressed immune system can overreact to harmless things (allergies).
- A stressed nervous system can amplify that immune overreaction (anxiety).
- A stressed gut can disrupt both systems and send inflammation spiraling.
It’s a tangled web, and most dogs stuck in it show signs of both, even if it looks like “just allergies” or “just nerves” at first.
Spotting the Signs: Allergy? Anxiety? Or Both?
It’s not always clear which issue started first—and often, it doesn’t really matter.
Here’s what to watch for:
The Common Thread: The Gut-Brain-Skin Axis
There’s a reason so many solutions for allergies and anxiety start with gut health.
The microbiome—the community of bacteria, fungi, and other organisms in the gut—plays a huge role in:
- Training the immune system
- Producing mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin
- Reducing systemic inflammation
When the microbiome is out of balance, it doesn’t just show up in the gut.
It ripples through the skin, the immune system, and the brain.
So, we can’t just look at symptoms, we look to the root causes and rebuild the foundation—because when the gut is healthy, the whole dog is healthier.
How to Support Dogs Struggling with Both
Feed the Right Bowl
Choose nutrient-dense, species-appropriate foods that calm inflammation instead of fueling it.
If your dog struggles with allergies, reaching for cooling proteins like whitefish, duck, or rabbit can help balance internal heat and ease skin irritation naturally.
Pair real food with Milk Thistle for detox and liver support when needed.
Strengthen the Microbiome
Use targeted synbiotics and gut-focused herbs to build resilience from the inside out.
Manage Emotional Stress
Adaptogens and calming herbs help regulate the nervous system, making daily triggers feel less overwhelming.
Tackle Environmental Triggers
- Wipe paws after outside time
- Minimize chemical exposures at home
- Create quiet, predictable routines whenever possible
Cool the Dog. Calm the Chaos.
If your dog runs hot—itchy skin, inflamed ears, restless energy—cooling proteins like duck, rabbit, and whitefish can help balance internal heat and calm inflammation naturally.
Pro Tip: Think “cooler” proteins for a calmer, more comfortable dog.
The Bottom Line
When allergies and anxiety collide, it’s not about chasing symptoms—it’s about rebuilding balance.
By supporting the gut, calming the mind, and easing inflammation naturally, you give your dog the best shot at thriving—not just surviving—no matter what life throws at them.
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Dr. Chris Besent
Chris Bessent, DVM, MSOM, Dipl. OM, L.Ac. has over thirty years of experience in veterinary medicine including certificates in veterinary acupuncture, veterinary chiropractic and veterinary Chinese herbology. Imbued with Eastern philosophy and the knowledge that food is the foundation of health, Dr. Bessent also received her degree in veterinary nutrition and began to formulate recipes fit for a carnivore from nothing but whole foods. Currently, she divides her time between the Simple Food Project and Herbsmith, both of which are owned and operated out of her facilities in southeastern Wisconsin.
Kayla Behling - Writer
Kayla is the Content Editor for Herbsmith. She has a cat named Professor Cat-Faced Meowmers, who goes by Kitty, and a goof of a dog, named Duck. She stays busy biking trails, playing board games, and searching for the next best craft beer.
