The first and easiest one to rule out is flea allergy dermatitis. Fleas aren’t as common in our valley but can still be present. Even if you don’t see fleas on your pet, it doesn’t mean they aren’t allergic to them. When a flea bites your pet, the saliva from the flea can trigger an immune reaction. This causes your pet to scratch and itch a lot, sometimes leading to painful hot spots. Flea allergy dermatitis is the most common dermatologic disease in dogs in the US.
The second most common cause of allergies is environmental triggers. These can come from things in your pet’s environment, like pollen from plants outside, or indoor allergens like cleaning products, cat litter, scented laundry soap, etc. Grasses and other plant materials outside are the usual main culprits. Pets are in closer contact with these triggers than we realize, so they tend to react more. One way to help ease the discomfort is by bathing your pet with a gentle, non-drying shampoo, like oatmeal-based ones. Think of it like how hairstylists recommend gentle, phosphate-free shampoos for people to avoid drying out the scalp. The same goes for your dog; you can bathe them frequently using the right shampoo. You can also use a medicated shampoo that contains ingredients like Ketoconazole (to fight bacteria) and Chlorhexidine (to fight yeast) to help with skin irritation. Removing allergens from your pet’s body can reduce itching before jumping to medications as a treatment.
Finally, food allergies can also cause skin problems in pets, especially dogs. The most common food allergens are chicken and beef. The only way to really know if your dog has a food allergy is to put them on a special diet with a protein they’ve never had before. This is called a “novel protein diet.” Lab tests for pet food allergies are not very accurate, so a diet trial is the best way to determine if food is the problem. I recommend scheduling an appointment with your veterinarian to help you choose the best diet for your pet. Pet food labels can be confusing, and there are a lot of options that may not be the best choice for your pet. It’s also important to ensure your dog has grains in their diet, as grain-free dog food has been linked to heart disease.
A diet trial should last at least eight weeks before you see any changes. During this time, your dog can only eat the new protein to avoid triggering an allergic reaction. Another option is a “hydrolyzed protein” diet, where the protein molecules are broken down into tiny pieces so they don’t cause a reaction.
If you think your pet has allergies, give them a gentle bath and ensure you’re using prescription flea and tick prevention. If the itching and skin problems don’t go away with baths, visit your veterinarian for further advice and treatment options. We are here to help!
