Is your dog constantly scratching, licking, or chewing at their skin or paws? Allergies might be to blame. At Animal Hospital of Ovilla, we can help identify what’s causing your dog’s discomfort and create a plan to get them relief.
Why Does My Dog Get Itchy?
Fleas, allergies, and infections are the most common culprits, and many dogs have more than one cause at the same time. When multiple triggers are present, they can amplify each other, making the itch much worse than any single cause would on its own.
Allergic skin disease is very common in dogs. About 80% of dogs with allergies react to environmental triggers, such as pollen, grass, or dust mites. The other 20% are allergic to something in their food — usually a protein like chicken, beef, or salmon. If your dog’s allergies have recently gotten worse, fleas or a skin infection may be worsening them alongside the underlying allergy.
How Do I Find Out If My Dog Has Allergies?
A thorough exam by your vet is the first step. They’ll look at which areas are affected and what kind of skin changes are developing, then decide whether to start a treatment trial or run some tests.
There are two ways to test for allergies in pets:
- A skin test performed by a veterinary dermatologist
- A blood test that can be done at your regular vet
Not every pet needs allergy testing, and your vet will help you decide if it makes sense. Current food allergy tests aren’t considered reliable, so they generally aren’t recommended unless bundled with an environmental allergy panel.
For pets who skip allergy testing, vets typically rule out fleas, mites, and infections first. If the itch persists after that, allergies are usually assumed to be the cause. Common in-office tests include microscope examination for bacteria and yeast, and skin scrapings to check for mites.
How Are Allergies in Pets Treated?
Your vet will tailor a treatment plan to your dog’s needs. A few things to know:
- Flea and tick prevention should be used year-round for all dogs. Fleas can significantly worsen skin inflammation even in dogs whose main issue is environmental allergies.
- Allergy medications like Apoquel, Cytopoint, and Zenrelia are commonly prescribed. They work similarly but have differences in effectiveness, side effects, and which dogs respond best to each.
- Infections (bacterial or fungal) are often treated alongside allergies with an antibiotic or antifungal if needed.
If your dog is dealing with itchy, irritated skin, give us a call at (972) 617-9996. We’ll help you figure out what’s going on and get your pup feeling better.