If your dog is licking their paws like a popsicle or your cat is grooming so much they’re leaving bald patches behind, you might not be dealing with quirks—you could be looking at allergies.
That was the case for Gail Friedman from Oak Brook, Illinois, whose Parson Russell Terrier, lovingly named Mr. Friedman, couldn’t stop fussing with his feet.
“The poor dog. I would put baby socks on his feet so that he wouldn’t lick them or bite at them,” she said. “I was constantly changing the socks, washing his feet a lot. Nothing worked.”
Eventually, a vet diagnosed the pup with allergies—a growing problem among pets that’s both frustrating and expensive.
So, What’s Triggering the Itch?
According to veterinary dermatologists, pets can be allergic to many of the same things as humans—pollen, mold, dust, food, even other animals (and yes, possibly even you). About 90% of pet allergies are environmental, with the remaining 10% tied to food. Food allergies tend to include proteins like chicken, pork, lamb and beef.
Some breeds are more vulnerable than others. Think terriers, boxers, and bulldogs on the dog side, and Persians, Siamese, and Himalayans among cats. Symptoms don’t often mimic human sneezing fits either. Instead, allergic pets scratch, lick, shake their heads, and battle recurring ear infections.
“I probably see allergic dogs and cats every single day, probably multiple times a day,” said Dr. Karen Woodard, medical director at Thrive Pet Healthcare-Elmhurst.
While allergies are becoming more common, it is still rare for a pet to have a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction.
Signs Your Pet Might Be Allergic
For cats, sneezing, scratching, excessive grooming and hair loss are big red flags.
“Cats shouldn’t be pulling their hair out when they groom. So if you start seeing bald patches on your cat, even though the skin underneath it looks normal, that could be a sign of allergies,” Woodard said.
For dogs, it’s often the classic itchy-scratchy routine: licking paws, inflamed skin, or infections. Even food allergies—most often to proteins like chicken or beef—can show up as skin problems, though they may also cause vomiting or diarrhea.
In rare cases, pets can go into anaphylactic shock from things like insect stings. But for most, it’s the nonstop itchiness that causes real daily distress.
How to Help Your Allergy-Prone Pet
Step one? See your vet. They can run allergy tests or suggest an elimination diet to determine the cause. Treatments include anti-inflammatory medications, immune-blocking injections, and hydrolyzed diets for food-sensitive furballs.
At-home care can also go a long way. Wipe your pet down with a damp cloth after walks, wash bedding regularly, and bathe itchy dogs at least once a week.
“Outdoors, they’re almost acting like little Swiffers,” said Dr. Anthea Elliott Schick of Thrive Pet Healthcare. “They collect allergens on their skin, and that’s when the trouble starts.”
While allergy care isn’t cheap—Friedman estimates she’s spent around $10,000—it’s worth it for her four-legged family. “They’re doing better,” she said. “All you can do is try.”
And maybe keep a few baby socks on hand, just in case.
