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Skin Allergies and Itching

Dog and cat skin allergies: relief for itchy skin.

Constant scratching, licking, and chewing usually point to allergies, fleas, or a skin or ear infection, and the right diagnosis is the fastest way to relief. Book a visit soon for an exam and testing, and call us the same day if the skin is raw or bleeding or your pet's face is swelling.

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When itching becomes urgent.

Most itchy pets can be seen at a regular appointment. These signs need attention today:

  • ✓Face, muzzle, or eyelid swelling, or hives, after a sting, bite, vaccine, or new food
  • ✓Vomiting, weakness, or trouble breathing along with swelling or hives
  • ✓Raw, bleeding, or oozing skin, or a hot spot that is spreading quickly
  • ✓A painful, swollen, or smelly ear, head shaking, or a head tilt
  • ✓Itching so intense your pet cannot rest or sleep

Facial swelling and hives are signs of an allergic reaction, which can progress. Please call us and come in, and see our emergency and urgent care page. If swelling or breathing trouble starts after 7:30 PM, go to the nearest 24-hour emergency hospital. Do not give human antihistamines or other human medications unless a veterinarian has told you to.

Common Causes

What makes dogs and cats itch?

Itching has a handful of common causes, and many pets have more than one at the same time.

  • ✓Fleas: even one bite can set off intense itching in a flea-allergic pet, often over the lower back and tail
  • ✓Environmental allergies to pollen, grasses, dust mites, and molds, which often flare with the seasons
  • ✓Food allergies, usually to a protein in the diet, which can cause year-round itching and ear problems
  • ✓Bacterial and yeast skin infections, often secondary to allergies
  • ✓Ear infections, a very common sign of underlying allergies in dogs
  • ✓Mites, such as mange or ear mites
  • ✓Hot spots: moist, painful, infected patches that can appear within hours

Cats show allergies a little differently. Instead of obvious scratching, a cat may over-groom and leave thin or bald patches, or develop small scabs around the head and neck.

A dog that suddenly licks one paw may have a foxtail between the toes rather than an allergy. Our guide to limping and paw problems covers that.

At Your Visit

How we find the cause of itchy skin.

Looking for a veterinary dermatologist near me? Many itchy pets can be diagnosed and managed by our team, and for complicated or stubborn cases, we can arrange the right next step.

Your visit starts with a full skin and ear exam and a review of diet and flea prevention. We may recommend:

  • ✓A flea check and a flea control plan for every pet in the home
  • ✓Skin and ear cytology, quick microscope tests for bacteria and yeast
  • ✓Skin scrapings to look for mites
  • ✓Bloodwork before long-term medication, when appropriate
  • ✓A strict food elimination trial to test for food allergy
  • ✓Allergy testing for dogs and cats with environmental allergies

Treatment is tailored to the cause and may include prescription anti-itch medication, treatment for infection, medicated shampoos, ear care, and long-term allergy management. Allergies are usually managed rather than cured, so follow-up visits matter. Routine wellness exams are a good time to review skin health and flea prevention.

Pet parents come to us from across the Valley, Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Lancaster, and Ventura, including families near Ventura.

Common Questions

Skin allergies and itching FAQ.

Why is my dog so itchy?
The most common causes of itching in dogs are fleas, environmental allergies, food allergies, and skin or ear infections. A vet exam with simple skin tests is the fastest way to find the cause and get your dog comfortable.
What do skin allergies look like in cats?
Cats with skin allergies often over-groom, leaving thin fur or bald patches, and may develop small scabs, especially on the head, neck, or belly. Some cats scratch their face and ears. Fleas are a common trigger, even in indoor cats.
Is facial swelling or hives in my pet an emergency?
Facial swelling or hives can be a sign of an allergic reaction and should be seen right away. Call us immediately and come in. If there is also vomiting, weakness, or trouble breathing, treat it as an emergency, and after 7:30 PM go to the nearest 24-hour emergency hospital.
Do I need a veterinary dermatologist for my pet's allergies?
Most itchy pets can be diagnosed and treated at a regular visit with our team. If your pet's skin problem is severe, keeps coming back, or does not respond to treatment, we can arrange the right next step for more advanced care.
How are food allergies diagnosed in dogs and cats?
Food allergies are diagnosed with a strict elimination diet trial, usually a prescription or novel protein diet fed for several weeks. Blood and saliva tests are not reliable for food allergies.

Help your itchy pet feel better.

Book an exam online or call us, and let us know if the skin is raw or your pet's face is swelling so we can see them today.

Book a visit(818) 922-2209