Signs & Symptoms of Allergies In Dogs & Cats

    

If your pet is scratching day and night, it may be a sign that they have seasonal or environmental allergies. While itching is one of the most obvious signs of allergies in dogs and cats, some pets show their itchiness in more subtle ways than all-out scratching. In some cases, the pet may not be itchy at all, experiencing symptoms completely unrelated to the skin. Let’s review cat and dog seasonal allergy symptoms aside from itching that might clue you in to your pet’s seasonal allergies.

Signs of allergies in dogs and cats

Aside from scratching, seasonal allergies can manifest as one or several of these signs of allergies in cats and dogs.

Excessive grooming

Both dogs and cats with allergies may groom themselves excessively. In cats, this usually looks like obsessive licking, which can result in bald spots. You may also notice your cat coughing up more hairballs. Dogs will lick and chew at themselves, especially their feet, limbs and groin.

Scooting or licking the rear end

Pets with allergies sometimes scoot their rear ends. While you may notice this more in a dog, this is a behavior that you can see in cats with allergies, too. The scooting and licking can be due to itchiness or issues with the anal sacs.

Hair loss or alopecia

Patchy hair loss can be a sign of allergies in both dogs and cats, which can occur due to scratching, licking and skin inflammation.

Skin sores or scabs

Dogs and cats with allergies frequently develop skin infections, which usually manifest as skin scores or scabs. These sores sometimes look like pimples on the skin.

Red, inflamed skin

The pet’s skin may appear red, even without an infection. You might notice this on the ears, paws, groin and armpits.

Red ears and recurrent ear infections

Both dogs and cats with allergies can develop ear infections, though it’s more common in dogs.

Red, watery or goopy eyes

While skin issues are more common in pets with seasonal allergies, some pets may develop signs that resemble hay fever in people. These pets can have increased eye discharge or develop conjunctivitis. This sign is more common in pets with upper respiratory infection than it is in pets with allergies, so always make sure to get your pet examined.

Respiratory signs

Similarly, pets with allergies sometimes develop sneezing, runny noses, snoring, coughing or wheezing. Respiratory signs are more common in dogs with respiratory infections, bronchitis or asthma, so pet owners noticing these signs should not assume their pet has allergies without seeing a veterinarian.

Other symptoms of allergies in dogs

The following signs and symptoms of allergies in dogs are much less common in cats.

Dark, thick skin

Dogs who have dealt with allergies for a long time can develop dark, thick skin, which is known as lichenification. Common areas of lichenification include the armpits and groin. 

Licking paws or chewing nails

Dogs with allergies may lick at their paws or chew their nails, resulting in reddish-brown staining between their toes. This is from their saliva.

Head shaking

Because dogs with allergies can have itchy ears or ear infections, you may notice a lot of head shaking.

Other symptoms of allergies in cats

Among cat seasonal allergies symptoms, the following two are relatively unique to cats.

Widespread, tiny, crusty bumps

Cats can develop tiny, crusty bumps throughout their body, most commonly on the neck, back and rump. This condition, called miliary dermatitis, is rare in dogs.

Ulcers on the lip or red, raised patches on the skin

Cats with environmental allergies can develop a condition called eosinophilic granuloma complex (EGC). Large ulcers on the lips—usually the upper lip—can form in cats with this condition. Cats can also develop red, raised lesions within the mouth or on the skin.

If you notice any of these problems pop up on your pet, be sure to discuss them with your veterinarian. Most of these symptoms can be caused by other conditions aside from allergies, so your veterinarian will likely need to run some tests to check for other potential causes first.

Depending on your pet’s particular symptoms, helping them stay comfortable may require a combination of shampoos, conditioners, oral medications, eye drops or ear ointment. No matter what your pet needs, you can find it at Shop myVCA!