Allergies aren’t a human-exclusive problem—many pets also suffer from this common immune system disorder. Recent studies show allergies may affect 20% to 30% of dogs and cats are also susceptible, making this one of our pets’ most common and significant health problems. Allergy management requires multimodal therapy and often, trial and error to find products and strategies that work. The Southern Crossing Animal Hospital team shares information about pet allergies to help pet owners understand the issue, so they can be equal partners in their furry pal’s care.

What are allergies in pets?

Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to foreign substances and attacks them with a barrage of inflammation. Allergy triggers in pets are similar to those in people, including pollen, mold, dander, insect bites, or certain foods. Pets can suffer from acute allergic reactions, which occur minutes to hours after exposure to a substance, or a more chronic form. When we talk about pets’ allergies, we mostly refer to the chronic form, which is a delayed, prolonged inflammatory response that manifests in the skin, ears, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract in most dogs and cats.

Allergy types in pets

Several allergy types affect pets, who often have more than one. The three main allergy categories include:

  • Food allergies — Food allergies occur when a pet reacts adversely to an ingredient in their diet. Food allergies are uncommon, but when they occur, the most common food ingredients are the most frequent culprits, including beef, chicken, dairy, corn, egg, or wheat. 
  • Environmental allergies — Environmental allergies (i.e., atopy) are triggered when pets contact airborne allergens, such as dust mites, mold, pollen, or dander. Environmental allergies are common and can range from mild to severe, causing symptoms seasonally or year-round.
  • Flea allergies — Flea allergies are reactions to flea saliva proteins. For flea-allergic pets, only a single bite can trigger intense itching and discomfort. Flea allergies often cause a characteristic hair loss pattern that starts above the tail base. 

Diagnosing allergies in pets

Our veterinary team may suspect allergies based on your pet’s clinical signs and then run diagnostic tests or treatment trials to confirm the diagnosis. Most allergy types look similar and present with the following signs:

  • Itching, scratching, chewing, or licking
  • Hair loss
  • Red, inflamed, flaky, darkened, or thickened skin
  • Ear infections
  • Anal gland problems
  • Chronic skin infections
  • Skin or ear odor

One test cannot confirm an allergy diagnosis, but we start with the following to rule out other skin conditions:

  • Skin scraping — This test checks for microscopic skin mites.
  • Skin cytology — This test checks for bacterial or fungal overgrowth on the skin, which often occurs in tandem with allergies and can worsen the itching.
  • Fungal culture — This test looks for dermatophytes, the organisms that cause ringworm.

In some cases, we may also recommend a food trial in which your pet eats a novel protein and limited ingredient diet to rule out food allergies, and then we slowly add back individual foods to pinpoint the problem. For other pets, we may recommend various allergy treatments to see your pet’s response or send blood tests to a specialized laboratory to identify environmental allergens. 

Pet allergy treatment and management

Allergy treatment may require trial and error to find the combination that works best for your furry pal. Most pets need multimodal therapy and lifelong management, but strategies may change and evolve alongside your pet’s condition. Severely affected pets may benefit from consultation with a dermatologist.

Common allergy treatments include:

  • Allergen avoidance
  • Oral or injectable antihistamines, steroids, or immune-modulating drugs
  • Fatty acid supplementation
  • Immunotherapy injections or oral drops
  • Flea control
  • Dietary manipulation
  • Topical shampoos, sprays, and creams
  • Ear drops

Allergic pets can suffer with chronic discomfort and reduced quality of life, but treatment can restore skin health and well-being. If you suspect your pet is suffering from allergies or you notice itching or skin irritation, contact the Southern Crossing Animal Hospital team to schedule a complete physical examination and allergy consultation.