Pet Allergy Treatment & Relief | PetVet Animal Hospital

If your dog is constantly scratching or your cat has frequent ear infections, allergies could be the culprit. Just like humans, pets can suffer from allergic reactions to food, environmental triggers, or flea bites. Unfortunately, pets can’t tell us what’s bothering them, which makes allergy detection a little more complex.

At PetVet Animal Hospital, we help families identify the root cause of their pet’s discomfort and create customized treatment plans that bring relief and improve quality of life.

Allergies in pets often show up as skin issues. You might notice your dog chewing at their paws, licking their belly, or developing red, flaky patches on their skin. Cats might scratch around their head and ears, or groom excessively until bald spots appear. In many cases, recurring ear infections are linked to allergic reactions. Unlike humans, pets rarely show respiratory symptoms like sneezing or watery eyes. Instead, their immune response shows up through their skin.

There are three major types of allergies in pets: flea allergy dermatitis, environmental allergies (also called atopy), and food allergies. Flea allergy dermatitis occurs when your pet has a hypersensitive reaction to flea saliva. Even one flea bite can cause a full-body flare-up. Environmental allergies are caused by things like pollen, mold, dust mites, and even grasses. Food allergies are usually triggered by proteins, such as beef, chicken, or dairy, though grains can also be a factor.

Diagnosing allergies can take time. We begin by ruling out other conditions, such as infections or parasites. For flea allergies, prevention is the first step. We’ll recommend effective year-round flea control to eliminate bites entirely. If the symptoms persist, we may move toward dietary trials—feeding your pet a limited-ingredient or prescription diet for 8–12 weeks to see if symptoms improve. Environmental allergies are typically diagnosed based on history and symptoms, but allergy testing is also available for more detailed insight.

Treatment depends on the type and severity of your pet’s allergy. For many pets, a combination of approaches works best. Antihistamines, medicated shampoos, and anti-itch medications can offer temporary relief. Long-term options like immunotherapy, prescription diets, or newer allergy medications like Apoquel or Cytopoint can significantly reduce symptoms and inflammation.

At PetVet Animal Hospital, we understand how frustrating it can be to watch your pet suffer from chronic itching or ear infections. We take a whole-pet approach to allergy management, considering diet, lifestyle, environmental triggers, and ongoing care needs. Our goal is to bring your pet lasting relief and prevent secondary infections or discomfort that can arise from untreated symptoms.

If your pet has been licking, scratching, or developing unexplained skin problems, don’t wait. Allergies won’t go away on their own, and early intervention can make a huge difference. With the right diagnosis and treatment, your pet can return to being happy, active, and itch-free. If you need assistance do not hesitate to contact PetVet at (317) 792-8919 or visit us at 14065 Mundy Dr, Fishers, IN 46038.