If your dog is constantly itching and you want to know what's causing it, allergy testing can help identify specific triggers. The most reliable option is intradermal skin testing, however it's not the most accessible or affordable and requires a specialist and sedation. Here's what you need to know about the different testing methods, what they cost and how to assess if they’re worth it.
If your dog is constantly itching and you want to know what's causing it, allergy testing can help identify specific triggers. The most reliable option is intradermal skin testing, however it's not the most accessible or affordable and requires a specialist and sedation. Here's what you need to know about the different testing methods, what they cost and how to assess if they’re worth it.
• Intradermal skin testing is the most accurate, but it requires a specialist veterinarian and sedation of your dog (Approximate cost: $300–$700).
• Blood testing is more accessible but less precise (Approximate cost: $200–$400)
• At-home saliva and hair tests are cheaper but generally lack scientific reliability
• Many vets diagnose allergies based on symptoms and response to treatment rather than formal testing
This is considered to be the gold standard for environmental allergy testing. A vet dermatologist injects tiny amounts of allergens under your dog's skin and monitors for reactions. While it’s the most accurate method for determining environmental allergies in dogs, it has a couple of major drawbacks; it requires sedation, is expensive and is normally only done by a specialist veterinarian.
Cost: ~$300–$700, including the specialist consultation.
Pros: Most accurate for identifying environmental allergens and results are immediate.
Cons: Requires sedation, is only available through dermatology specialists, has a higher cost and limited availability in some areas.
Blood tests measure antibodies (IgE) your dog produces in response to specific allergens. A vet draws blood and sends it to a lab, which then screens for reactions to common environmental triggers like pollen, dust mites, and mold. This type of test is generally more accessible than skin testing given price and availability since most in-person vet clinics do it.
Cost: ~$200–$400 depending on the lab and the breadth of the testing panel selected.
Pros: Can be done at most vet clinics, no sedation required, screens for a wide range of allergens.
Cons: Can be less accurate than intradermal testing, can produce false positives and results don't always match real-world reactions.
These are often marketed online directly to pet owners. At-home tests usually involve collecting a saliva or hair sample and mailing it to a lab. They're affordable and convenient, but there's little scientific evidence that they work. Most vet dermatology experts don't recommend them.
Cost: ~$80–$200.
Pros: Inexpensive with no vet visit required.
Cons: Results are unreliable and not backed by peer-reviewed research.
Most pet owners are not aware that formal allergy testing is not always necessary to treat dog allergies. Many vets diagnose environmental allergies based on the medical history of the dog, the symptoms exhibited by the dog, and the dog's response to treatment. If your dog improves with allergy medication like Apoquel, that often confirms the diagnosis without expensive testing.
Testing becomes most beneficial if you’re considering immunotherapy (allergy injections or sublingual allergy tablets), or if your dog has very severe symptoms and you wish to understand which allergens to avoid. For many dogs, the ability to manage the symptoms of the allergy through treatment is sufficient and the expense associated with identifying the exact allergen(s) is not warranted.
If your dog is exhibiting chronic itching, the itching is damaging the skin, or the itching is not improving despite proper care, it is time to talk to a vet. They can help determine whether allergy testing makes sense for your situation or whether starting treatment is the better first step. Either way, you don't have to figure it out alone.
Otis offers convenient online care with veterinarians who are experts in dog allergy treatment and management. Otis vets can evaluate your dog's symptoms, discuss whether testing is worthwhile, and prescribe medications like Apoquel through same-day virtual visits, so you can skip the long waits and stressful car rides.
It depends. If you're considering immunotherapy or need to identify specific triggers, testing can be valuable. But for many dogs, treating symptoms with medication is effective and more affordable than extensive testing.
Both blood and skin testing are unreliable for diagnosing food allergies. The only accurate way to diagnose a food allergy is through an elimination diet trial supervised by a vet (usually for 8–12 weeks) of feeding a novel or hydrolyzed protein diet.
Most veterinary experts say no. Saliva and hair tests lack scientific validation and results often don't correlate with actual allergic reactions. Blood or skin testing through a vet are more likely to provide reliable answers.
