Cat and dog allergies in Columbus, OH

Finding Relief for Cat & Dog Allergies in Upper Arlington, OH

Allergies for dogs and cats typically show up as skin conditions. Itchy, irritated skin is a common sign of cat and dog allergies. At North Kenny Veterinary Hospital in Upper Arlington, OH, our veterinarians are very familiar with managing allergies in pets, and we'll find the solution to get your pet the relief they deserve!

Is your pet scratching more than usual?

Schedule a visit to see if it’s allergies!

...or give us a call at (614) 451-1204

Symptoms of Cat & Dog Allergies

The itchy, irritated skin caused by allergies often results in hair loss, hot spots, and skin lesions due to all the scratching. If left untreated, skin infections can develop, too. If you notice the following on your pet, they could have an allergy:

  • Red, irritated skin
  • Dry, flaky dander
  • Over-grooming (cats)
  • Excess scratching
  • Hair loss
  • Hot spots
  • Chewing/licking their paws
  • Frequent ear infections

Diagnosing an Allergy

The first step toward healing your pet is confirming that their skin condition is the result of allergies. We’ll run some diagnostic tests through our in-house laboratory, including blood work and cytology (skin) samples to rule out other possible conditions. Once we’re sure your pet has allergies, we’ll be able to explore treatment options.

brown spotted itchy dog

What is My Pet Allergic To?

Cats and dogs can have many of the same allergies we do. Some common pet allergens include:

  • Tree, flower and grass pollen
  • Molds
  • Flea bites
  • Dust and dust mites
  • Perfumes
  • Certain materials, like rubber
  • Cleaners
  • Food ingredients like dairy, eggs, beef, chicken, etc.
cat in flower bed

Managing Cat & Dog Allergies

Allergies are not a condition that can be cured, only managed. At North Kenny Veterinary Hospital, we’ll work with you and your pet to determine the very best management plan. Our allergy treatment options are varied. Keep in mind that since each pet is unique, it may take a few tries to find the exact treatment or combination of treatments that effectively manage their allergies.

Our options include:

  • Cytopoint (an injectable for dogs that controls the itch for 4-8 weeks)
  • Apoquel (a daily oral tablet for dogs)
  • Atopica (a daily oral tablet for dogs and oral solution for cats)
  • Medicated shampoos to soothe the skin and remove allergens
  • Topical creams to soothe itchy skin
  • Parasite prevention to reduce the chance of flea bites for pets with flea bite allergy
  • Antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections
  • Antifungals to treat secondary fungal infections
  • Elimination diet, in the case of a food allergy to determine the exact ingredient(s) your pet is allergic to