Like humans, pets can develop allergies to various environmental substances. Unlike humans, pets don’t commonly deal with a runny nose or watery eyes. Instead, allergic pets suffer from chronic inflammation of the skin or in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. To help pet owners understand how allergies manifest in pets, the Companion Veterinary Clinic team explores signs, causes, and management of allergies in dogs and cats.

Could your pet have allergies?

Allergic pets can exhibit a wide symptom range, depending on the allergy trigger and severity, but a few classic telltale signs can give you a clue that a problem is possible. Keep an eye out for the following, and contact our veterinary team if they occur:

  • Itching — Persistent scratching, licking, or chewing, especially the paws, ears, groin, abdomen, and hind end 
  • Skin changes — Redness, inflammation, hair loss, hot spots, bumps, peeling, odor, or color changes
  • Ear infections — Recurrent ear infections, which may manifest with head shaking, discharge, foul odor, and pain
  • Respiratory issues — These are more common in cats and include nasal discharge, wheezing, or coughing.
  • Digestive problems — Chronic or intermittent vomiting or diarrhea

What causes allergies in pets?

We aren’t sure exactly what causes allergies, but we do know that many dogs and some cats suffer from allergic diseases—it’s one of the most common reasons pets visit the veterinarian. A pet’s allergens may fall into one or more of the following categories:

  • Environmental allergies — Pollen, mold, dust mites, and dander are common environmental allergens. These allergies can be year-round or seasonal, depending on the triggers.
  • Food allergies — Uncommonly, pets can develop allergies to ingredients in their current food, typically a protein, or occasionally a carbohydrate source.
  • Fleas – Flea bite allergies lead to flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), which causes intense itching and hair loss after only a single flea bite. Other insects can cause similar reactions.

Managing allergies in pets

Allergy management depends on your pet’s triggers and allergy severity. The condition cannot be cured, which means life-long management is required. Over time, you’ll find what works and what doesn’t for your furry pal, and develop strategies to reduce their discomfort. Some pet owners choose to work with a veterinary dermatologist if their pet’s condition is severe or their treatment response is not as predicted.

Before determining a treatment plan, our veterinary team must rule out other conditions that may be causing your pet’s discomfort or contributing to allergy signs. For example, skin infections frequently co-occur with allergies, because inflammation allows normal skin bacteria to overgrow, and infection worsens the itching and irritation from the allergies. Diagnostic tests commonly employed during a veterinary skin check include:

  • Skin scraping — A microscopic evaluation to look for parasitic mites
  • Skin cytology — A microscopic evaluation to look for evidence of bacterial or fungal infections
  • Fungal culture — A test checking for dermatophytes, the fungi that cause ringworm and athlete’s foot

Allergy management plans typically include several of the following:

  • Allergy testing — Allergy testing can identify environmental allergens based on a blood sample, but cannot identify food allergens. Test results are used to create allergy immunotherapy (i.e., allergy shots) to desensitize your pet and gradually reduce allergic reactions.
  • Oral medications — Antihistamines, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressive drugs reduce allergy symptoms by tamping down the inflammatory response to the offending substances. Antibiotics and antifungals are commonly employed to control secondary infections.
  • Topical medications — Shampoos, sprays, creams, and ointments can reduce inflammation and help prevent infection while reducing exposure to systemic medications.
  • Dietary changes — Switching to a hypoallergenic diet may be temporarily necessary to determine if food allergies are present. If your pet improves, you may choose to keep them on the diet or challenge them with individual ingredients to identify the offenders.
  • Environmental management — Allergen exposure can be minimized by wiping pets down when they return from the outdoors, bathing them frequently, using air filters, and keeping your home dust-free.

Recognizing potential allergy signs and bringing them to our team’s attention offers your pet the best chance of alleviating their discomfort and improving their long-term well-being. Many pets battle allergies throughout their life, but our Companion Veterinary Clinic team can provide guidance and support and help craft an effective treatment plan. Contact us to schedule a visit if you suspect your pet has allergies or you have other concerns about your furry pal’s health.