Did you know that pets can also have allergies? They can be allergic to insects like fleas, to certain ingredients in their food, or to environmental allergens like mold. Allergies can attack your pet’s skin, ears, eyes, and GI tract, causing pain and irritation. While allergies in pets cannot be cured, they can be managed. Here’s what you can do.
What Causes Allergies in Pets?
For animals, allergies usually come from one of three main sources: insect bites, food, or environmental triggers. Allergies happen when a pet’s immune system overreacts to typically harmless things. Symptoms can manifest as red, itchy skin, coughing and sneezing, or gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea or vomiting.
Insect Allergies
Bugs like fleas and ticks are the most common allergy in pets. For instance, dogs can be allergic to the proteins in a flea’s saliva, which makes flea bites extremely itchy. If you notice your pet is scratching excessively, check for fleas. You might see live bugs, but it’s more likely that you’ll see their droppings—little black dots on your pet’s skin at the base of the fur. Giving your pet a bath with flea shampoo and getting them on flea and tick meds should solve the problem.
Food Allergies
Food allergens in pets can manifest as itchy skin, vomiting, or diarrhea. If you suspect your pet has a food allergy, your veterinarian might recommend an elimination diet. This is where you start removing common allergens from your pet’s diet, one at a time. This process takes a while, but it allows you to pinpoint the ingredients that might be bothering your pet.
Environmental Allergies
Like humans, sometimes pets will only show symptoms at certain times of the year. Pets can have seasonal allergies to things like pollen, or start sneezing and coughing when there are pollutants like mold or dust in the air.
Environmental allergies can also stem from triggers inside the home like air fresheners, cleaning products, and diffusers. Many of these things can also trigger allergies in humans, so check in with yourself and your family. If you all are also feeling off, or itchy, environmental allergens might be the reason.
Three Tips to Help a Pet with Allergies
1: Contact your veterinarian.
If your pet has allergies, there are three ways to help them out. Taking your pet to the veterinarian is the first step to managing your pet’s allergies. Your veterinarian will help you pinpoint their specific allergies and help you manage them.
2: Limit their exposure to allergens.
Keeping your pet away from any known triggers is the best way to prevent allergic responses. However, food and environmental allergies can be difficult to control. If your pet does get exposed, talk to your veterinarian about what you can do to help.
For severe allergies that cannot be controlled (like seasonal pollen), your pet might need an allergy medication for those months. You can also give your pet a bath to remove allergens from their skin and fur, or try a bath with oatmeal to help soothe itchy skin.
3: Let everyone know.
Make sure everyone knows your pet’s allergies. Pet sitters and family members need to know what can trigger an allergic response. If your pet frequents other people’s houses, goes to daycare, or boards out, telling their carers about their allergies will help prevent unnecessary exposure.
Comprehensive Veterinary Care for Pets in Gilbert, Arizona
If you ever have concerns about your pet’s health, please don’t hesitate to ask a vet about them. Here at East Valley Animal Hospital, we believe that every pet is special, and we work hard to keep them healthy and happy. We can help you address any allergy concerns, and help your pet live their best life with comprehensive veterinary care.
Whether your pet needs a routine exam and booster shots, or there’s something about their health that’s worrying you, contact us today to make an appointment.
Photo by Elisa Kennemer on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 12/23/25.