Allergy Treatment for Dogs and Cats in Asbury Park, NJ

Pet Allergy Services for Your Furry Family Members

Just like us, our furry friends get allergies. City by the Sea Veterinary Hospital is happy to help diagnose and treat your pet’s allergies. Cats and dogs often experience multiple pet allergy symptoms that often affect their quality of life. We’ll treat skin conditions resulting from fleas and other allergies and help your pets live a life without itching. City by the Sea Veterinary Hospital offers comprehensive pet services to ensure your pet lives its best life. Contact us today for an appointment!

Causes of Cat and Dog Allergies

Dog and cat allergies are often the results of:

Various types of pollen
Grass
Dust Mites
Mold spores
Synthetic fabrics
Certain foods
Fleas
Lawn treatments
Soaps

Flea Allergies

Flea allergies in dogs and cats make them itch like crazy. The allergen is usually the flea saliva that causes itching. If your cat or dog has a flea allergy, you’ll notice intense itching from one bite.

Environmental Allergies

Pollen and dust are some of the most common pet allergies. If your pet never goes outside, laundry detergents or cleaning products could be the culprit. If the allergy symptoms come and go with the seasons, your pet probably has a seasonal environmental allergy.

Food Allergies

Food allergies are often challenging to diagnose. Dogs often develop a sensitivity to potatoes, rice, corn, or grains in their food. They rarely, but sometimes, suffer from protein food sensitivities to beef, chicken, pork, or turkey.

Allergy Symptoms in Dogs and Cats

Allergy symptoms in pets include:

Red patches of skin
Dry patches of skin
Obsessive itching or licking at areas
Red ears
Skin odor
Bleeding skin

Diagnosing Pet Allergies

City by the Sea Veterinary Hospital performs different activities and tests to diagnose your dog or cat allergies, including:

Skin Test – A skin allergy test is a quick and effective way to pinpoint environmental or food triggers that cause allergic reactions.
Seasonal Test – If your pet only shows irritation during specific seasons, they probably suffer from seasonal allergies
Elimination – If you think food is upsetting your animal, first remove filler ingredients like corn, wheat, and grains. Slowly introduce foods to uncover the source of the allergy. (Cutaneous adverse food reactions or food allergies are only about 5-15% of allergy cases affecting the skin and they are most likely related to animal proteins rather than grains – Beef and dairy are the most common culprits. CORN was an offender in only about 2.5% of cases in a recent study (Verlinden A, Hesta M, Millet S, et al. Food allergy in dogs and cats: a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2006;46:259–273.). We don’t support the use of grain-free diets.

Treating Pet Allergies

Pet allergies are easiest to treat when we know the root of the problem. If you know your pet is sensitive to flea bites, it’s important to stay updated with regular flea preventatives. Lifestyle changes like washing your dog with hypoallergenic shampoo, wiping their paws, and keeping their bed clean can help a dog with environmental allergies. If your animals have a food allergy, it’s essential always to read food labels. Brands may change their recipe without notice or use different proteins. When we have a plan in place, we can help your pet live its best life without itching from allergies.

Contact City by the Sea Veterinary Hospital

City by the Sea Veterinary Hospital wants to help your pet live without allergy aggravation. If your cat or dog is showing allergy symptoms, contact us to help diagnose and treat their issues. Our experienced team is here to help you and your pet. We offer comprehensive vet services for the well-being and positive health of your pet. Contact us today to learn more!

Pet Health