Recognizing the Signs of Allergies in Dogs and Cats
Knowing the Signs of Allergies in Pets
Itchy skin, runny eyes, vomiting - does this sound like your furry friend? Allergies are common in pets and can make your dog or cat downright miserable. As a pet parent, it's important to recognize the signs of allergies and take steps to help your pet feel better. We take a look at how to identify allergy symptoms in your pet, potential causes, diagnosis methods, treatment options, and things you can do at home to ease their discomfort. With a proper veterinary diagnosis and a good care plan, most pets can manage allergies well and continue to live happy, active lives.
Dogs and cats get allergies, just as people do. In fact, allergies are one of the top reasons pet owners take their furry friends to the vet. As a pet parent, realizing that your pet's discomfort might be caused by allergies, could bring both of you a whole lot of relief - you from worry, and your pet from unspoken angst. Let's look at the basics of pet allergies, common symptoms to look out for, treatment options, and things you can do at home to minimize allergy flare ups.
Some Causes of Pet Allergies
An allergy occurs when the immune system overreacts to a normally harmless substance called an allergen. When exposed to an allergen, the immune system treats it like an invader and releases antibodies like histamine to attack it. This causes inflammation and the bothersome allergy symptoms.
In pets, allergies are most often caused by:
Food - Beef, chicken, lamb, corn, wheat, and soy are common food allergens for dogs and cats.
Flea saliva - When fleas bite your pet, they leave behind saliva that can trigger an allergic response resulting in severe itchiness. Even one flea bite can cause a problem for highly allergic pets.
Environmental allergens - This includes pollen, mold, dust mites, cigarette smoke, fabrics, perfumes, cleaning products, grass, and more. Seasonal allergies to pollen are common when trees, grasses, and weeds are in bloom.
Medications - Antibiotics and other meds can occasionally trigger an allergic reaction.
Insect bites and stings - Reactions to mosquito, bee, wasp, spider, tick, and ant bites.
Paying attention to when your pet's allergy symptoms flare up can help identify the allergen. For example, itchy skin in the spring could indicate seasonal pollen allergies.
Tell-Tale Signs That Your Pet Has Allergies
The most common allergy symptoms in dogs and cats include:
Itchy skin - Excessive licking, biting, chewing, and scratching at the skin. Red, irritated patches or bumps may be visible.
Hair loss - Constant scratching and biting leads to patchy hair loss. Hot spots can develop.
Ear issues - Redness, discharge, odor, scratching at ears. Chronic ear infections are common.
Respiratory symptoms - Sneezing, coughing, wheezing, runny eyes or nose.
Gastrointestinal signs - Vomiting, diarrhea, and gas may indicate food allergies.
Scooting - Anal itching leads to scooting rear end on floor.
Face rubbing - Dogs rub their face and muzzle on the carpet to relieve itching.
Paw chewing - Dogs may excessively lick and chew at their paws due to itchiness.
Recurrent skin or ear infections - Due to inflammation and scratching.
The location, severity, and duration of symptoms can vary day to day based on allergen exposure. Pay attention to any symptoms that recur or seem to get worse over time. Check with Dr. Bhatt, she will advise and conduct appropriate allergy tests to treat the underlying cause and bring your pet relief.
Diagnosing Pet Allergies
To determine the cause of your pet's allergies, the vet will begin with a physical exam and ask about your pet's history. Diagnostic tests may include:
Skin evaluation - Looking for evidence of irritation, infection, parasites, or trauma from scratching. Skin scraping or cytology may be done.
Blood test - Checks for elevated allergy antibodies. Results can help develop allergen-specific immunotherapy treatment.
Elimination diet trial - Feeding special hypoallergenic food to isolate food allergies.
Intradermal allergy testing - Injecting small amounts of suspected allergens like pollen and dust mites to measure skin reaction.
Environmental allergen identification - Samples of hair and skin are tested for reaction to specific allergens found where you live.
Once Dr. Bhatt identifies the source of the allergic reaction, she will implement targeted treatments to reduce symptoms and discomfort.
Relieving Allergies in Dogs and Cats
Allergy treatment focuses on avoiding the allergen whenever possible, controlling symptoms, and decreasing inflammation. Your vet may suggest:
Prescription hypoallergenic diets - For confirmed food allergies. Novel protein or hydrolyzed protein diets help eliminate exposure to problem ingredients.
Immunotherapy ("allergy shots") - Customized allergy serum containing small amounts of specific allergens. Slowly builds tolerance to decrease immune overreaction.
Anti-itch sprays and shampoos - Topical products with oatmeal, hydrocortisone, or other soothing ingredients to provide relief from itching and inflammation.
Omega-3 fatty acid supplements - Can reduce inflammation. Get dosing advice from your vet.
Antihistamines - Block histamine response and relieve mild allergy symptoms. Several pet-safe options are available.
Antibiotics - If bacterial skin infection develops from scratching, antibiotics may be prescribed.
Steroids/immunosuppressants - For short-term relief of severe allergy flare ups affecting quality of life - used only in severe cases where all other treatments are ineffective because there are side effects with longterm use.
Allergen-specific immunotherapy - "Allergy shots" to increase tolerance are an option for environmental allergies.
Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention - Eliminating parasites can improve allergy symptoms. Use year-round.
Dr. Bhatt will tailor her recommendations based on your pet's symptoms and type of allergen. Be patient, as it can take some trial and error. Let your Dr. Bhatt know if a particular treatment does not seem helpful or has undesirable side effects.
Integrative Therapies We Use
Some integrative and alternative therapies may help provide relief for pets with allergies when used alongside conventional treatments:
Acupuncture:
Acupuncture can help reduce allergy symptoms like itchy skin and sneezing in pets. It can help modulate the immune response and provide anti-inflammatory effects. Studies show acupuncture provides short-term improvement in pets with environmental and food allergies when combined with conventional approaches.
Chinese Medicine:
Herbal formulas from Chinese medicine may help relieve allergy symptoms in pets when prescribed by a vet trained in their use. Specific blends of herbs can reduce itchiness and inflammation. Quality control and safety are concerns when using Chinese herbs, be sure to only use what is prescribed by a qualified integrative veterinary doctor like Dr. Bhatt.
Other integrative options:
Providing omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil may help reduce inflammation.
Probiotics may support a healthy gut and modulate the immune response.
Hesperidin, a bioflavonoid supplement, may have antihistamine effects.
Natural antihistamine herbs like licorice root may provide relief.
Chiropractic adjustments may reduce stress and support the nervous system.
Ozone Therapy
Managing Allergies at Home
While you can't cure your pet's allergies, you can take steps to minimize exposure to allergens and keep your home environment comfortable:
Bathe your pet weekly with a veterinarian-recommended hypoallergenic shampoo. Bathing removes allergens from their coat.
Vacuum carpets, floors, and pet beds frequently using a HEPA filter vacuum to help remove dust, dander, pollen, and other irritants from surroundings.
Wash your pet's bedding weekly in hot water to kill dust mites. Consider covers that are impermeable to allergens.
Wipe your pet's paws, belly, and face when they come inside to remove pollen and other outdoor allergens.
Consider an air purifier with a HEPA filter to trap environmental allergens.
Limit outside time during peak allergy seasons and check pollen counts.
Keep your home's humidity below 50% to discourage dust mites.
Clean floors with a damp mop rather than dry dusting or sweeping, which stirs up allergens.
Use gentle, perfume/dye-free laundry detergent to wash your pet's bedding.
Clean your pet's food bowls, toys, and accessories regularly.
Avoid letting your pet roam in the basement, attic, garage, or other damp areas where mold grows.
Use flea, tick, and heartworm preventing medications year-round as prescribed by your vet.
With an accurate diagnosis and a good home care routine, most pets can manage their allergies well. Pay attention for any signs of recurrent symptoms and let your vet know if allergy flare ups return. Together, we can help relieve your pet's discomfort and keep allergies under control.