![]() Your dog has anal glands on either side of their bottom, which hold scent material that allows them to mark their territory or release a foul-smelling scent when feeling threatened. If the allergy is to a protein in their food, their symptoms will improve. You may also want to talk to one of our vets about a hydrolyzed diet trial, where you feed a strict diet for 8 weeks, ensuring no treats or titbits are given. Equally, using a hypoallergenic shampoo, and ensuring your groomer does too, may help reduce any reaction to shampoos and other chemicals used. ![]() This removes any pollen or other allergens that are on the fur or skin. Whilst seeing a veterinarian will be necessary to make sure there is no other cause and to provide treatment where necessary, there are some things you can do at home to try to help.Įnvironmental allergies can be improved by using a clean, damp cloth to wash the paws after walks. If you think your itchy dog or cat might have an allergy, you’ll want to know how best to help them. However, knowing what your pet is allergic to doesn’t always help-airborne environmental allergens like pollens and house dust mites can never be avoided completely. Allergy tests are available, either a blood test or skin tests. The allergy can be to certain foods, plant pollens, parasites like fleas, or even house dust mites. AllergiesĪlso known as atopic dermatitis or atopy, skin allergies are common in dogs and cats. During a flare up, your pet may need extra medication to heal the skin. Cats are more commonly allergic to flea bites than dogs, and can develop red bumps or scabs on their skin-called ‘military dermatitis’-and bald patches from constant licking.Īpplying flea treatments in the form of prescription-strength tablets or spot-ons is a very effective way of preventing fleas and flea allergic dermatitis. That means even a single bite causes an extremely itchy allergic reaction. Flea AllergyĪs if fleas themselves weren’t enough, pets can be allergic to flea saliva. If your dog or cat has fleas despite you using a flea product, speak to our team as there may be better treatment options available. It can take a few months of strict treatment to clear the fleas altogether. Spraying the house with a flea-killing spray may also help. ![]() If you think your cat or dog might have fleas and your they aren’t up to date with flea treatment, our vets will advise on the best flea treatment for all the pets in your household. ![]() If left untreated, your furry friend will scratch so much that they will damage the skin, leaving it sore and open to infection. The highest numbers of fleas, and therefore the most flea dirt, can usually be found low down on your cat or dog’s back, just above the tail base. This is called ‘flea dirt’ and is actually digested blood passed as poo by the fleas. If you have an itchy pet and the cause is fleas you might notice small, black specks, a bit like black dandruff in the fur. But a seasonal allergy is just one cause of itchy skin, so if your pet is itchy, what could it be? And how can you help? Why is my dog or cat itchy? Fleasįleas, as well as other parasites that live in the coat or on the skin, can make your dog or cat itchy. Now that the weather is warming up, more dogs and cats will be affected by seasonal allergies, which can make the skin itchy, red, and sore, as well as making your furry companion a bit miserable. ![]()
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