That allergy that makes you sneeze and gives you watery eyes may also be bothering your pet, although they will be itching and scratching. 

Allergies are being recognized more and more as serious problems for cats and dogs. Unfortunately, allergies cannot be cured, but they can be managed. Veterinary management includes dermatology, internal medicine, nutrition, and other disciplines. 

Flea bites cause the most allergies in pets. Here, fleas can be highly active for longer than the rest of Canada—from May through early October—because British Columbia has a milder climate. 

Environmental allergens also trigger many allergies in pets and include pollen, grass, weeds, fungi, and mold. Pollen from trees such as birch and alder starts the parade of environmental allergens in early spring, grass pollen is most prevalent in late spring to the middle of summer, and weed pollen follows from late summer to early fall. Leaf mold also can trigger allergies in the fall.

Our Oriole Road Animal Hospital team wants to help you manage your pet’s allergies. 

Signs that may indicate your pet has an allergy

Allergies in dogs and cats typically manifest as skin, ears, eyes, and anal gland issues. Stay alert for these signs:

  • Intense itching—the pet will lick, scratch, chew, bite, or rub
  • Runny, itchy nose
  • Sneezing
  • Hair loss
  • Red bumps on the skin
  • Red, irritated, or inflamed areas between the paws or toes
  • Redness in the ears 
  • Skin infections and rashes
  • Crusted skin sores
  • Chronic ear infections
  • Recurrent anal gland issues—pets will scoot on the floor
  • Vomiting or chronic diarrhea

Cats may also have respiratory symptoms, often with nasal discharge or conjunctivitis.

Types of allergies in dogs and cats

Three main allergy types affect pets, and all can cause significant discomfort.

  • Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) — Since flea bites most commonly cause allergies in pets, your veterinarian will first test your dog or cat with any of the above signs for FAD. A pet’s immune system overreacts to the saliva that fleas inject when they bite, which can lead to itching, fur loss, and inflamed skin. A single flea bite can cause a severe reaction.

Our veterinarian will recommend a year-round flea prevention plan for your pet and prescribe an anti-itching medication to soothe their discomfort. You will also need to banish the fleas from your home by washing all your pet’s bedding and other places they rest, such as area rugs or the comforter on your bed. Many flea-control products are available that are pet-safe and effective, but you may need a professional exterminator, depending on the flea infestation.

  • Environmental allergens — Pollen is the most common environmental allergy and can be helped by wiping your pet’s paws to remove the pollen after being outdoors. First, however, you will need to pinpoint the specific allergen, which will require a veterinary visit. Our veterinary team will test your pet’s blood or skin to identify the trigger, such as trees, weeds, and grass pollens, dust, and mold. Based on the results, we will tailor an individualized treatment plan to keep your pet as comfortable as possible. 
  • Food allergies — These allergies are the least common in pets, but they can make your furry friend extremely uncomfortable. Dogs are most often allergic to proteins in beef, dairy products, chicken, wheat, and lamb and, less commonly, soy, corn, egg, pork, fish, and rice. Cats most often react to beef, fish, and chicken and less often to wheat, corn, dairy products, lamb, eggs, pork, rabbit, whale meat, and barley. Pets can also be allergic to more than one food ingredient at a time. Switching your pet to a novel ingredient or a hydrolyzed diet is the only way to diagnose a food allergy. Your pet who is having digestive issues will need to be on the new diet for three to four weeks, or for 8 to 12 weeks if they have skin issues. A novel ingredient diet must include only ingredients your pet has never eaten before, while a hydrolyzed diet features the same proteins, but they have been rendered too small for the body’s immune system to detect. If the pet no longer has an allergic reaction, a food allergy is confirmed. Then, you can keep feeding your pet that diet or start adding individual ingredients from the previous diet to pinpoint the culprit.

Treatment options for pets

Some allergic pets will develop secondary skin or ear infections and may require antibiotics or antifungal treatments. Other treatments include:

  • Topical therapies — Shampoos, ointments, and mousses can reduce inflammation and irritation.
  • Anti-inflammatory medications — Medications such as steroids can control your pet’s itching, especially in the early treatment stages.
  • Omega-3 fatty acid supplements — These dietary supplements can help support pets’ healthy skin.

If you think your dog or cat is being bothered by allergies, make an appointment with our Oriole Road Animal Hospital team. Like you, we do not want them to suffer unnecessarily.