Skin Allergies in Dogs and Cats
Common sites affected by allergies in dogs include the feet, face, ears, armpits, and the underside of the belly.
Many cats with food allergies have facial itching and sores
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Bacterial infections of the skin are very common in dogs with skin allergies
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Flea allergic dogs usually have itching, redness, and hair loss over the rump, unlike dogs that are Atopic.
Fleas are very commonly the cause of itchy dogs and cats
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Cats get flea allergie and they often "Barber" themselves with their teeth, cutting the hair off.
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Skin Allergies (Atopy) are the result of the immune system over-reacting to particular allergens (usually proteins) in a dog's or cat's environment. Exposure to proteins can come from pollens, grasses, molds, tree sap, skin cells, insects, and foods. Another term for allergies is “hypersensitivity” or hypersensitivity reactions.”
Dogs and cats can come into contact with allergens in a number of ways, including binding to the skin, eating them, or inhaling them. Allergies can occur in any breed of dog or cat, of either gender and at any age. However, some breeds appear to be at a higher risk for developing allergic skin reactions, particularly Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and West Highland White Terriers. Dogs living in hot, humid climates also are predisposed to developing allergic reactions because of the long seasons and large varieties of pollens, grasses, molds, trees, and insects.
Most dogs with allergies are itchy regardless of the season and eventually suffer hair loss as well. Affected areas of their skin become red from scratching and biting, and they tend to develop raw, weeping wounds from traumatizing themselves. Allergic skin reactions frequently show up on the face, between the toes, on the groin or flank area, behind the front legs (in the armpits) and on the ears. In severe cases, raised bumps and pustules can develop as well. Other signs of allergies can include ear infections, depression, eye infections, abnormal ocular discharge and oozing sores, commonly called “hot spots,” redness especially between the toes, in the genital area and over the base of the tail. Cats usually show allergies as hair loss and crusts around the face or as crusts on the belly or around the neck area.
The most common causes of allergic skin reactions in dogs and cats are atopic dermatitis and flea saliva allergy, which causes intense itchiness, irritation and scratching. Allergies to one or more ingredients in a dog’s diet are also quite common causes of adverse skin reactions. Some dogs and cats have allergies to things that they contact or inhale (called atopic allergies). Sometimes dogs will develop allergic reactions to things that they touch, certain topical medications or chemicals on the surface that they lay on (called contact dermatitis). Almost anything can cause an allergic reaction that presents on the skin, depending upon the dog’s immune system. While many people call this a “skin allergy,” it really is an allergy to the inciting environmental allergen.
There is no real way to prevent a dog’s skin from showing signs of allergic reactions. However, once the cause of the allergy is identified, owners can prevent further allergic outbreaks by keeping their dogs away from that allergen. The only way to know what the dog is allergic to is to allergy test the dog. Newer blood allergy tests are very accurate at detecting the allergens that the pet is reacting against.
Treatment of Allergies
Effective treatment of allergic skin reactions in dogs depends upon the cause of the condition. For example, if the dog has flea bite dermatitis (an allergy to flea salivary antigens), treatment requires eliminating the dog’s exposure to fleas.
Food allergies can be treated using an elimination diet where a protein source that the dog or cat has never eaten previously is used to see if the reaction to a previous food can be eliminated. See the common foods that are associated with food allergies in a list below.
If the dog has an atopic allergy to something in the environment, that allergen must be identified and kept away from the dog or cat. Desensitizing allergy shots can be used to reduce the skin reaction to the allergens. Prescription drugs such as corticosteroids, cyclosporine, Omega 3 fatty acids, and certain antihistamines can help relieve the itching. Special shampoos and conditioners are available to help sooth the itchiness caused by allergic dermatitis and help heal the skin lesions. Because allergies frequently cause dogs to scratch vigorously and develop traumatic skin sores, they carry a heightened risk of secondary bacterial or fungal infections, which must also be treated. Cats are less likely to have skin infections from allergies.
Unfortunately, some dogs may continue to experience severe symptoms while the precise cause of their condition remains frustratingly elusive. These dogs will need regular management regimens to try and control the consequences of their allergic reactions.
Commonly Identified Food Allergens in Dogs and Cats
| Most Common Causes of Itching in Dogs and Cats
Atopic Dermatitis Flea Allergy Dermatitis Food Allergies Drug Reaction Intestinal Parasite Hypersensitivity Mites (sarcoptic or demodex) Yeast and/or Bacterial Dermatitis Seborrheic skin disease Contact Dermatitis Autoimmune Diseases |
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