Itchiness frequently plagues pets and their owners, and myths abound about the condition. Our Milford Animal Hospital team wants you to be well-informed about pets who scratch excessively, so we are providing the truth behind the common misconceptions.

#1: My pet’s itchiness is likely caused by a food allergy

Food allergies are uncommon in pets, and affect only about 1.8% of dogs and 2% of cats. Conditions that more frequently cause itchiness in pets include:

  • Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) — FAD is the most common cause of itchiness in pets. Affected pets are allergic to the flea’s saliva, and the bite from only one flea can instigate an itchy reaction. 
  • Environmental allergies — Environmental allergens (i.e., atopy), including pollen, grasses, dust mites, and mold spores, are also commonly responsible for making pets itch.

#2: I can’t find a flea on my pet, so they don’t have a flea problem

Pets affected by FAD incessantly groom and often remove all fleas in their coat, so no fleas on your pet does not mean no flea problem. Fleas usually leave flea dirt in the pet’s coat and bedding, and these small, black granules are a good indication that your pet has fleas. FAD is so common that many veterinarians often recommend flea prevention for an itchy pet for a trial period, especially if the pet has not had consistent flea control. Fleas must be completely removed from the pet’s coat and environment to prevent a reaction. Steps include:

  • Administering year-round flea prevention to all household pets
  • Discarding or thoroughly washing your pet’s bedding
  • Vacuuming your floors and upholstery
  • Treating your home and your yard with appropriate insecticides
  • Repeating the process until all fleas at every life stage are eradicated

#3: Allergy testing can determine why my pet is itchy

Allergy testing is used only after a pet is diagnosed with atopy, to determine what environmental allergens are causing the reaction, and the information then is used to produce hyposensitization therapy to help desensitize the pet to the allergen. Allergy testing options include radioallergosorbent testing (RAST) and intradermal allergy testing. RAST requires a single blood sample that is sent to a reference laboratory for analysis, while intradermal allergy testing involves about 60 small injections administered under your pet’s skin. If your pet is allergic to the allergen, a hive develops at the site. Pets must be sedated for this procedure, and will be clipped on their side to administer the injections. Other tests that help diagnose itchy pets include:

  • History — We take a thorough history about when your pet’s signs started, if they have previously experienced similar issues, if they have experienced any environmental changes, and any medicine they are currently taking.
  • Physical examination — We evaluate your pet, taking special note of the location of their lesions. In some cases, this can help point toward a diagnosis. Common lesion distribution differs depending on the allergy.
    • FAD typically causes lesions at the lower back, tail base, inner thighs, and abdomen.
    • Atopy usually causes lesions around the eyes and mouth, under the tail, in the armpits and groin, and on the abdomen and feet.
    • Food allergies typically cause lesions on the face and feet in dogs and around the head and neck in cats.
  • Skin scraping — A skin scraping is used to look for parasites such as mites and for skin cell pathology.
  • Blood work — We may also run a complete blood count and biochemistry profile to assess your pet’s overall health and rule out underlying conditions that may contribute to your pet’s itchiness.

#4: Switching my pet to a grain-free diet will alleviate their itchiness

When pets have a food allergy, the reaction is typically caused by a protein in their diet. Common culprits include chicken, beef, eggs, dairy, and soy. The only way to determine the causative ingredient is to perform a food trial, which entails:

  • Choosing a diet — When performing a food trial, you can use a veterinary therapeutic limited-ingredient diet that contains a protein your pet has never eaten, or a veterinary therapeutic hydrolyzed protein diet. The protein in these foods are broken down to such small components that the body doesn’t recognize them.
  • Adhering to the diet — Your pet must eat the specialized diet for 8 to 12 weeks to verify that the problem is their food. This means no treats, supplements, toothpastes, dental chews, outdoor hunting, or scavenging during this time. Ensure all of your friends and family understand the rules, so no one slips your pet treats and skews the results. 
  • Reintroducing ingredients — If your pet’s signs clear up, ingredients from their previous diet can be introduced one at a time to determine the causative item.
  • Avoiding the ingredient — The problematic ingredient should then be forever eliminated from your pet’s diet.

#5: Allergy shots will cure my pet’s general itchiness

Hyposensitization therapy, or allergy shots, are considered the gold-standard treatment for atopic pets but do not address other allergies. This treatment involves administering allergens in gradually increasing doses to help desensitize your pet to the problematic compounds and is helpful for about 70% of pets. Other treatments that are also typically used to address atopy include:

  • Controlling fleas — Fleas often exacerbate atopy, and your pet should receive year-round flea control.
  • Bathing — Bathing your pet removes allergens from their skin and coat. Between bathing, you should wipe down their fur with a wet cloth.
  • Addressing the itch — Steroids and anti-itch medications are helpful to alleviate itchy skin. 
  • Promoting skin health — Omega-3 fatty acids promote skin health and may help reduce inflammation.

If your pet can’t stop scratching, contact our Milford Animal Hospital team. We want to determine what’s causing your pet’s itch and provide relief as soon as possible.