Unlike us, pets usually "show" allergy in the skin rather than the nose. So if yours is scratching all the time, don't write it off as a habit: persistent itching isn't normal, something is causing it.
Common causes
Most cases fall into one of three:
- Atopy: allergy to pollen, mites, mould — seasonal or year-round
- Flea-saliva allergy — a single bite is enough
- Food allergy — this one's less seasonal
The flea is "suspect number one"
Even if you never see a flea, allergy to its saliva is the most common skin allergy. That's why continuous protection is always the first step.
What to watch
You'll almost always see the signs on the skin:
- Persistent scratching, licking or chewing — especially paws and belly
- Red skin, rashes, hair loss
- Ear infections that keep coming back
What you can do
First of all, keep strict flea protection — very often that's the hidden culprit. Make a note of when the itching starts; seasonality helps us a lot with the diagnosis. And don't give human antihistamines on your own, without guidance.
When a vet is needed
If the itch persists, if there are wounds or an ear infection, it's time we took a look. The good news is that allergy is very manageable these days — as long as we find the cause and match the right plan to it.