Environmental Allergies in Dogs and Cats

Last updated: August 02, 2016

Environmental allergies typically occur between the age of one to three years old, and the symptoms in dogs and cats include scratching, licking, watery eyes, and skin problems. Environmental allergies occur because of irritating substances in an animal's environment. Some common allergens are dust and grass. Pollen is the most common airborne allergy and can travel up to 100 miles.

Topical Treatment

Using a shampoo can help relieve itching and remove scales, bacteria and parasites. Bathing can help keep your pet comfortable by removing environmental allergens. It may also be beneficial to wipe your pet down when he comes inside to remove any pollen on his skin.

You can manage environmental allergies with these products:

• Micro-Tek Pet Spray provides instant relief for itchy skin and continues to work for over 24 hours.
• Pramoxine Anti-itch spray and shampoo help stop the itch topically. Using Pramoxine Shampoo twice a week gets the pollen off the skin. Pramoxine Spray can be used daily on any area needing extra attention.

Treatment for the Eyes and Ears

Allergens, bacteria and fungus can get stuck in your pet's ears and eyes. Ear and eye care remove allergens and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and fungus, resulting in less itching and irritation.

• Clean their ears with Vet Basics^® Ear Cleanser before bathing.
• Use an eye wash to flush out bacteria, mucus and other foreign materials that may irritate their eyes. Vetericyn^® Ophthalmic Gel or Vetericyn^® Eye Wash can be used to kill bacteria, viruses and fungi. It also helps create a resistance to bacteria.

Treatment from the Inside Out

Omega 3 fatty acids are a great supplement for skin and coat health. They reduce flakiness, itchiness and shedding. Omega 3 also soothes skin inflammation due to scratching and allergies.

• Doc Roy's^® Derma Coat Plus has Omega 3 & 6 to promote optimal skin health. Derma Coat Plus is designed to help the skin and coat resist allergens while giving a healthy shine to the coat.
• Omegaderm-3 helps correct and prevent dry flaking skin, dry brittle hair, dull coats and scratching due to dry skin.
• Vetadryl^™ is an anti-histamine that controls itching and helps pets manage allergies.

Note: Vetadryl™ doesn't have the side effects of prescription Prednisone.

Treatment for Bacterial and/or Fungal Infections

If excessive scratching causes bacterial and/or fungal infection, a combination of antibiotics and antifungals are needed to cure.

• Antibiotics for skin issues generally start with the Cephalosporin family.
• Ketoconazole is an ingredient that works against fungal infection. Vet Basics^® ChlorConazole^™ Shampoo and Spray contain Ketoconazole to work against fungal infections and Chlorhexidine to work against bacteria skin infection.

The antibiotics and antifungals may be needed for 30 days to eliminate the infection and allow the skin to recover.

We can't eliminate allergens but if we keep the allergens off the skin and the resistance to them high, we can live with them!

If you need help, call us at 800.786.4751.

-Dr. B
Don Bramlage, DVM, Former Director of Veterinary Services at Revival Animal Health

Itchy pet? Take our Scratch the Itch Quiz to help determine the cause of the itch and irritation.

The materials, information and answers provided through this website are not intended to replace the medical advice or services of your personal veterinarian or other pet health care professional. Consult your own veterinarian for answers to specific medical questions, including diagnosis, treatment, therapy or medical attention.