Does your dog keep scratching or your cat seem obsessed with licking? If your pet can’t seem to sit still without scratching, it’s more than just annoying — it could be a sign of allergies.
At Rouse Hill Family Vets, we’ve seen an increase in pets coming in with itchy skin, red ears, and hair loss over the past few weeks. Just like people, pets can suffer from allergies triggered by their environment, food, or even parasites. With spring in full swing and pollen levels climbing, we’re noticing more dogs and cats struggling with allergic flare-ups.
Left untreated, allergies can lead to constant discomfort, open sores from scratching, ear infections, and even secondary skin infections that require long-term management. For pets, this means a poor quality of life — and for owners, it often means sleepless nights and a cycle of repeated vet visits.
The good news? Identifying allergy triggers early and putting a tailored plan in place can make a world of difference. Pets with well-managed allergies can get back to their happy, playful selves — enjoying walks, cuddles, and naps without constant scratching.
A common misconception is that pets only get allergies from food. While food allergies do happen, the majority of itchy pets we see are reacting to environmental triggers such as pollen, grasses, mould spores, and dust mites. This is known as atopy — an inherited predisposition to develop allergic skin disease. Another myth? Indoor cats don’t get allergies. In reality, they can be just as sensitive to dust or flea bites as outdoor pets.
Common Allergy Triggers in Pets:
- Fleas: Even one bite can cause a severe reaction in sensitive pets.
- Atopy (environmental allergens): Pollen, grasses, mould spores, and dust mites.
- Food ingredients: Proteins like beef, chicken, or dairy can sometimes trigger an immune response.
- Contact irritants: Certain shampoos, cleaning products, or even fabrics can cause itchy skin.
Elmo’s Scratchy Spring:
My own dog, Elmo, is a great example. Every spring he starts with what looks like “just a bit of paw licking and his foot occasionally in his ear.” Before long, he’s rolling on the carpet, rubbing his face, and looking utterly miserable. With a proper allergy plan in place — flea prevention, anti-itch medication, and weekly ear maintenance treatment — we’ve been able to keep him comfortable. Without it, Elmo would be red, itchy, and unhappy all season long.
At Rouse Hill Family Vets, we take a Fear Free approach to diagnosing and treating pet allergies. Our team will carefully examine your pet, rule out underlying causes, and create a personalised treatment plan. This might include:
- Flea prevention programs.
- Skin and ear exams to catch secondary infections early.
- Prescription diets or food trials.
- Allergy management strategies, from medication to lifestyle changes.
✨ Special Offer: For September only, we’re offering $50 off annual flea & tick injections for dogs — helping protect against one of the most common allergy triggers.
If your dog or cat can’t stop scratching, don’t wait until their skin is sore or infected. Book a consultation with our friendly team today. Call us on 02 9086 9130, book online at www.rousehillfamilyvets.com.au.
Warm wishes,
Dr Belinda
