08/16/2025
Powder Ridge Post, August 2025
August is Itchy Pet Awareness Month!
Did you know that our pet’s can have allergies just like us? This can result in excessive licking, scratching, and overgrooming. It can be quite frustrating for owners managing an itchy cat or dog because figuring out the root cause of their itchiness takes time and can sometimes be costly.
Some common causes of itching include external parasites such as fleas, allergies, and a type of fungal infection called ringworm. Although medications are available to temporarily decrease itching, it is best to find out the cause of your pet’s itching. Otherwise, the itching may return as soon as the medication is stopped.
Flea allergic dermatitis is the most common skin disease in pets. You may not see fleas, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Flea allergy is caused by the flea’s saliva, which only takes a few bites to cause a problem. Year-round protection is strongly advised, and preventatives such as Credelio or Seresto can be used to treat and prevent fleas.
Food allergies are another common cause of itchiness. Some pets develop hypersensitivities to various proteins, carbohydrates, or even preservatives or dyes in their food, which can all be potential food allergens. A food trial may be recommended by your veterinarian to help rule out a food allergy. By placing your pet on a carefully selected diet, either a prescription diet or veterinary nutritionist-formulated diet for several weeks, you may be able to resolve the signs of their allergy.
Atopic Dermatitis is an inherited predisposition to developing skin problems after exposure to a variety of common and otherwise harmless substances such as plant pollens, house dust mites, and mold spores. Allergy testing can help identify what your pet is allergic to in the environment, which can then be used to make a “vaccine” (allergen specific immunotherapy) to decrease your pet’s sensitivity.
Our very own Whilby suffers from allergies. He receives immunotherapy injections and eats a special prescription diet to help keep him comfortable and to reduce his itchiness. He also wears a collar to help prevent overgrooming of his belly. He is a great “spokeskitty” when it comes to sharing his journey of lifelong allergy maintenance. While he still experiences the occasional seasonal flare up, his symptoms are well maintained and he is living a very happy life!