Skin allergies are a common issue affecting many dogs and cats, causing discomfort and distress for both pets and their owners. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments for these allergies can help manage and alleviate the condition, ensuring your furry friends lead happier, itch-free lives.
Common skin allergies in pets
The most common skin allergies in dogs and cats are environmental, such as dust mites, pollens and grasses. These environmental allergies, also known as atopy or atopic dermatitis, manifest as itching and scratching, leading to red, inflamed and damaged skin. Another common allergy is to fleas, which is called flea allergy dermatitis. These are the big two skin allergies seen in dogs and cats throughout Australia and New Zealand, typically occurring seasonally, though allergens, like dust mites, can be present all year round.
Food allergies are far less common, making up only 10-15% of all skin allergies1. They typically occur all year round and often present in a similar way to dermatitis with itching and scratching as the main symptoms. Despite the media focus on food allergies, grains are rarely the cause of food allergies in dogs and cats. The most common allergens for dogs are animal protein, particularly beef, dairy and chicken. For cats, the top allergens are beef, dairy and fish.
Environmental allergies explained
The reason some animals experience environmental allergies is that they have a defective skin barrier which is an inherited disorder. Allergens like pollens pass through the skin, unlike in humans where they are inhaled and typically cause hay fever which causes an allergic reaction. Moisture can also be lost through this defective barrier, causing dry and scaly skin. This dryness causes our pets to feel itchy and to scratch and lick their skin, causing further damage.
Breeds that are more prone to environmental allergies, include Golden and Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, English Bulldogs, Boxers, Pugs, Boston terriers, Shih tzus, Miniature Schnauzers, and West Highland white terriers2.
How nutrition can help
Hill’s Prescription Diet Derm Complete is specifically formulated to help manage dogs with environmental or food sensitivities.
Derm Complete contains omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids to help strengthen the skin barrier. It also includes Hill’s proprietary blend of ingredients and nutrients, including phytonutrients from fruits and vegetables, to help support skin function in dogs with environmental sensitivities.
For managing food sensitivities, Derm Complete uses a single source of protein, egg, which rarely causes adverse food reactions in dogs, making it a great long-term solution for dogs with food, environmental sensitivities, or both.
Diagnosing skin allergies and treatment
If you suspect your pet has a skin allergy, book an appointment to see your vet. They’ll perform a thorough physical examination and may recommend allergy tests to identify the specific allergens, an elimination diet to help pinpoint the offending ingredient and effective flea control measures to rule out flea allergy dermatitis.
Treatment can include minimising exposure to the allergens to reduce symptoms, switching their diet, hypoallergenic or medicated shampoos and medications such as monthly injections or daily oral tablets. Your vet might recommend seeing a vet dermatologist to look further into which environmental allergens are the triggers and attempt to desensitise your pet to them.
Skin allergies in dogs and cats can be distressing, but with proper diagnosis and management, your pet can live a comfortable, itch-free life. Regular vet check-ups, combined with effective treatment plans, can help control and alleviate allergy symptoms, ensuring your furry friends remain happy and healthy.
References
[1] Mueller RS, Olivry T, Prélaud P. Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (2): common food allergen sources in dogs and cats. BMC Vet Res. 2016;12:9.
[2] Miller WH, Griffin CE, Campbell KL, eds. Hypersensitivity Disorders. In: Muller and Kirk’s Small Animal Dermatology 7th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2013:372
