Our four-legged companions can get allergies, too. Allergies are a common problem in cats and dogs and are usually caused by pollen, food, mold, dust, and chemicals. But why do cats and dogs get allergies?Allergies occur when the immune system reacts to a foreign substance. Cats and dogs can get the same allergies as people do, and also be allergic to pests, like fleas. There is no recent data on how many pets have allergies, but research shows the problem is escalating. “I probably see allergic dogs and cats every single day, probably multiple times a day,” said Dr. Karen Woodard, medical director at Thrive Pet Healthcare-Elmhurst in Illinois. According to Woodard, 90% of pets have environmental allergies, and the rest suffer only from food allergies. Certain dog breeds, like terriers, boxers, and bulldogs, are more prone to allergies. When it comes to cats, breeds like Persians, Himalayas, and Siamese are more at risk of developing allergies.Our four-legged companions can be allergic to other animals as well. Cats can be allergic to dogs, dogs can be allergic to cats, and both can be allergic to other species. “It’s possible for them to be allergic to us, just like we are to them,” said Dr. Anthea Elliott Schick of Scottsdale, Arizona. Unlike people, allergic cats and dogs don’t sneeze or cough. More often, they lick and scratch themselves and develop pesky ear infections. Most dogs develop classic signs of allergies, including scratching, rashes, and ear infections. When it comes to cats, too much grooming is a tell-tale sign of allergies. “Cats shouldn’t be pulling their hair out when they groom. So if you start seeing bald patches on your cat, even though the skin underneath it looks normal, that could be a sign of allergies,” added Woodard. In pets, even food allergies usually show up on the skin first. Although some cats and dogs can develop vomiting and diarrhea, too. It’s uncommon for pets to develop life-threatening reactions and go into anaphylactic shock. In most cases, allergies just make pets miserable. No one wants to see their beloved pet suffer, and luckily, there are ways you can help your furry companion deal with allergies.The first step is diagnosis. This often involves allergy testing or an elimination diet, which consists of feeding limited-ingredient foods, in case your vet suspects food allergies. There are various medications, like anti-inflammatory drugs and oral and injectable medications that block chemical signals associated with itchiness in dogs, if testing shows your pet suffers from environmental allergies. Food allergies are usually treated with special diets, like hydrolyzed food, in which proteins are chemically broken down into smaller pieces that won’t trigger a reaction. In addition to medication and a change of diet, there are things you can do at home to help ease your pet’s allergy symptoms. Washing your pet’s bedding frequently, wiping their fur with a wet washcloth, and giving them baths can help remove environmental allergens and soothe their itchy skin. “Outdoors, they are almost acting like Swiffers, getting allergens on their skin, and it goes through their skin and actually becomes a problem,” said Schick. “We say bathe your dog, at a minimum, once a week if they are allergic.”Use natural, anti-itch dog shampoos that contain soothing ingredients like aloe vera, oatmeal, and vitamin E. These ingredients will relieve itching and nourish your pup’s skin and coat.Allergies require lifelong management. Administer treatment regularly to stay on top of your pet’s allergies and to keep the issues under control in the long run. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.
