What's Itching? The Top 3 Allergens Bugging Our Pets
Whether they love furry friends or not, many humans are allergic to cats and dogs. But did you know that our pets can also suffer from similar allergies? Although cats and dogs might not suffer from allergies to themselves or to humans, there are many types of allergens that can lead to uncomfortable symptoms.
The 3 Most Common Types of Allergies for Cats and Dogs
There are numerous different allergens that can affect dogs and cats, and the most common fall into the following three categories of allergens:
1. Environmental Allergies
Environmental allergies are caused by allergens found in your pet’s environment. These can include things like pollen, dust, and mold, in addition to irritants such as cigarette smoke, household cleaners, and perfumes. Environmental allergies will often ebb and flow with the changing seasons.
2. Food Allergies
Cats and dogs can also develop allergies to certain ingredients in their food. These might include specific types of protein or ingredients like dairy, eggs, soy, corn, or wheat. If you suspect your pet has a food allergy, it will be helpful for our veterinarian to know all the ingredients your pet has been exposed to through his or her diet.
3. Flea Allergies
Cats and dogs can also develop allergies to certain ingredients in their food. These might include specific types of protein or ingredients like dairy, eggs, soy, corn, or wheat. If you suspect your pet has a food allergy, it will be helpful for our veterinarian to know all the ingredients your pet has been exposed to through his or her diet.
Allergy Symptoms in Dogs and Cats
In humans, allergies usually cause watery eyes and sneezing. While some pets do develop respiratory symptoms, the most common allergy symptoms in pets include:
- Excessive scratching, licking, and biting at skin or fur
- Rashes, redness, irritation, and bumps
- Hot spots
- Hair loss or changes to coat
- Scabbing
- Frequent ear infections
If you notice any changes in your pet’s behavior or appearance, this could indicate allergies or illness, and you should schedule a veterinary appointment right away.
How to Solve Your Pet's Allergy Problem
There are several different ways to treat pets for allergies including lifestyle adjustments, elimination diets, parasite preventatives, medicated baths, medications, and even allergy shots. The best way to treat a pet for allergies is to eliminate the allergen from the pet’s environment. But in order to solve any pet’s allergy problem, we first need to figure out what’s bothering your pet.
If you notice any symptoms of allergies in your dog or cat, we welcome you to schedule an appointment at Wesson Animal Clinic. We’ll work with you to get to the bottom of your pet’s allergy problem and determine the best allergy treatment plan for your pet.
