Cat and Dog Allergy Testing in Raleigh, NC

Pet skincare isn’t often a topic at the top of the mind of owners. However, the condition of your pet’s skin directly impacts their well-being. The presence of rashes or other skin problems beneath your dog or cat’s fur could signal that they need allergy testing. If you believe your pet may be having an allergic reaction to something in the environment, Healthy Pet Skincare’s experience with veterinary dermatology can help you get to the root of your dog or cat’s skincare issue.

The Truth About Pet Allergies

Yes, dogs and cats can develop allergies to different things. Most reactions come from three different categories. Keep in mind that your pet can have a response to more than one thing in the following groups.

Cat and Dog Allergy Testing in Raleigh, NC

Flea Allergy

Saliva from fleas may irritate when they bite your pet. You may notice your cat constantly overgrooming themselves or a lot of scratching and nibbling from your dog. The most common sign of a possible flea allergy is the presence of tiny red spots on your pet’s skin. Cats may develop a crusty layer called miliary dermatitis.

Food Allergy

Dogs and cats can eat the same food for years with no issues. Suddenly, they may start having reactions that show up on their skin. Food allergies are reactions to proteins or chemicals present in certain foods. You might see pet allergies emerge when they eat foods containing fish, eggs, or chicken. Foods with gluten may also cause allergic reactions.

Atopic Dermatitis

Humans often experience hay fever or asthma because of what’s around them. Pets may show signs of atopic dermatitis, or dry and itchy skin, as one of their allergy symptoms. The skin condition can pop up anywhere, leaving your pet in a lot of discomfort. You may only notice it happening during certain times of the year or see it occurring all the time. Signs your cat or dog may be dealing with atopic dermatitis include:

  • Constant scratching and licking
  • Paw chewing
  • Face rubbing

Other symptoms of possible allergies you should watch for in your pet include:

  • Runny nose
  • Scooting or rubbing along the floor
  • Hair loss
  • Skin biting

If you notice one or more of the above skin problems in your dog or cat, bringing them in to get allergy tested is a good idea.

Diagnosing Pet Allergies

Because so many things could produce allergic reactions in dogs or cats, it can take time and diligence to finally get to the root cause of pet allergies. Your dog’s symptoms may also be caused by:

  • Dust mites
  • Ringworm
  • Bacterial infections
  • Ear mites
  • Acne

Raleigh, NC Cat and Dog Allergy Testing

At Health Pet Skincare, we conduct pet allergy testing based on the symptoms of your dog or cat.

  • Skin parasites — Brushing a dog’s coat, scraping the skin from a cat, or plucking hairs from pets are ways of ruling out a parasite infection. We look at the samples to see if a flea or other pest is causing skin problems.
  • Food allergies — A trial diet can help rule out what foods might be causing an allergy in dogs or cats.
  • Atopic dermatitis — If your pet’s allergic reactions aren’t caused by parasites or food, the vet will likely move on to testing for other causes.

Once the vet figures out what’s causing pet allergies in your dog or cat, they can guide you in caring for your pet to help alleviate their symptoms.

Request Pet Allergy Testing Today

Call Health Pet Skincare in Raleigh at (919) 781-0696 if you’re concerned about your pet’s skin. We will do everything possible to provide them with some relief.