Just as they are for people, allergies in pets are an exaggerated immune response to something in the environment that shouldn’t trigger one. Allergies typically cause lots of skin problems for pets, such as atopic dermatitis (better known as eczema in the human world). It’s common for pets with allergies to suffer from chronic ear and anal gland infections and itchy skin, especially on the face, paws, armpits, and lower belly.

Unfortunately, because pets tend to scratch and chew on their itchy spots, they can get secondary infections when bacteria or yeast come into contact with irritated skin. Feline asthma is also often triggered by allergies, which cause an excessive immune response (inflammation) in the lungs.

Environmental allergens for dogs include pollen, molds, grass, trees, and dust mites. Another common allergen is flea saliva, which causes a disease called flea allergy dermatitis. Food allergies account for about 10% of allergies in pets. Although it may be surprising to hear, since you probably think of your dog as the ultimate carnivore, the most frequent allergy culprit is a protein, usually chicken or beef. But certain dogs can also be allergic to carbohydrates, preservatives, or food dyes.

Our doctors will ask about your pet’s diet and medical history; if your pet only tends to get allergies at a specific time of year or in a certain place, this may indicate an environmental allergen is the culprit. We may recommend further testing, such as serologic (blood) testing, intradermal skin testing or a food elimination diet to help determine the precise allergen(s) affecting your pet and guide the treatment plan.