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An itchy cat or dog is one of the most common reasons a pet is brought to the veterinarian. Whether they are paw licking, head shaking, biting, or scratching, being itchy makes will make your pet very uncomfortable. Coping with an itchy pet can be a frustrating experience for pet owners as well. This guide will cover the common causes of pet itchiness and what you can do to provide your pet with the best care.
First off, the most important step in dealing with an itchy pet is to visit your veterinarian as soon as possible. They will be able to get you on the right track with effective anti-itch medications to get your pet comfortable and start determining the underlying cause.
Here are the common causes of itching in your pet:
External Parasites
Flea allergy is one of the most common causes of itching in pets. In some cases, the fleas are just a nuisance. But, for many pets, they will be allergic to the saliva of the flea, which can cause a large inflammatory response.
Even if you haven’t seen a flea on your pet, that doesn’t mean they aren’t there! Flea-allergic pets are licking, chewing, and grooming themselves after being bitten by a flea. This causes the flea to be eaten or to jump off. It is extremely common to never see a flea in a pet that is suffering from flea allergies.
In any pet that is itchy, constant year-round flea prevention is key. Luckily, we live in an age where we have safe, effective, and reliable flea preventives available. Your veterinarian will be able to recommend a product that is right for your pet.
Atopic Dermatitis (Environmental Allergies)
This type of allergy, also known as environmental allergies, can be extremely common. If your pet has atopic dermatitis, they develop inflammation in response to normally harmless substances, such as trees, grasses, pollens, and mites. Environmental allergies can be seasonal (like the spring and fall), but can also occur year-round. Pets with atopic dermatitis typically start to develop signs at an early age. They appear to be most affected on the undersides of their bodies, like their feet, belly, armpits, and ears.
Your veterinarian will likely recommend allergy testing to determine which allergens your pet is reacting to. Intradermal allergy testing is preferred in dogs, but blood testing is preferred in cats. Once your veterinarian knows what your pet is allergic to, a vaccine will be created (allergen-specific immunotherapy). This has been shown to decrease your pet’s sensitivity to the offending allergens.
Food Allergy
Food allergies occur in ~1% of all cats and dogs. Of pets that have an allergic skin disease, 5-15% of dogs and only 1-10% of cats have a food allergy. When a dog is food allergic, the immune system in their gastrointestinal tract is abnormally reacting to substances in their food, typically the protein source. Your veterinarian will suspect a food allergy if:
- The itching is not seasonal
- Clinical signs started when your pet was less than 6 months of age, or greater than 5-6 years of age
- Minimal response to corticosteroid therapy
- Your pet has intestinal signs, like vomiting or diarrhea
- Your pet has a typical lesion distribution (feet, recurrent ear infections, itchy bottom)
The only effective test to determine if your pet has food allergies is a strict food trial. Your veterinarian will help decide which diet would be best for your pet.
It is important to note that in dogs affected with atopic dermatitis, ~23% of those dogs also had a concurrent food allergy. Unfortunately, it’s very possible that your pet can have more than one type of allergy!
Underlying Metabolic Disease
In some cases, the cause of your pet's itchiness might not be directly related to the skin. Several metabolic diseases (such as hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, etc) have the potential to cause skin issues. For this reason, your veterinarian is likely to recommend evaluating your pets' blood and urine in order to rule out these conditions. They will be concerned about this if your pet started showing signs at a later age (over 8 years old) or if there are other symptoms occurring in your pet. These can include weight loss or gain, increased thirst, increased urination, decreased energy, or changes in appetite.
Skin Infection
Infections of the skin (bacterial or fungal) are a common complication of having an itchy pet. These infections typically arise secondary to disruptions in the immune barrier of the skin. Infections will increase your pet’s level of itching, and typically the itching cannot be controlled until the infections are resolved. Your veterinarian will perform a microscopic evaluation of the skin and ears to determine if an infection is present. Antibiotic or anti-fungal medications are typically warranted, as well as topical antimicrobial therapies (shampoos, creams, etc).
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, there is no cure for allergies. The goal of treating this life-long problem is to improve the quality of life for you and your pet. By partnering with your veterinarian in this process, you will have the best possible success in helping keep your pet comfortable and infection free.
