Your vet can help!
August Is Itchy Pet Awareness Month
Your vet team is there to not only diagnose and treat your dog's frequent licking, chewing, and scratching, but also as a resource for helpful information on the possible causes, treatments, and more!
Allergic itch might be the reason your dog is so itchy
Hear Dr. Hutchens, a veterinarian, describe allergic itch in dogs and what you can do to relieve your dog's itch so they can get back to feeling better!
Does your dog need to see the vet?
Take the Itch Quiz
Antihistamines and OTCs May Not Be the Best Options for Allergic Itch
Shampoo or coconut oil
Itch-relief shampoos, coconut oil, or other home remedies you buy online or at the store may provide a little temporary relief, but they don’t get to what’s causing allergic itch.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines may relieve respiratory allergies in humans, but are often not effective to treat skin allergies in dogs.1 They can also cause unwanted side effects, like drowsiness.2
Grain-free diets
Grain-free diets are unlikely to help relieve allergic itch in most dogs. That’s because protein sources, not grain, are the most common cause of food allergies in dogs.3
Why My Dog?
It’s not your fault. Just like humans, dogs can get allergies too.
Here are some common causes of allergic itch in dogs:
- Environmental allergens: pollen,
dust mites, and mold - Food allergies
- Flea allergies
- Contact allergens: household cleaners, shampoos, plants, and insecticides
Why Me?
Do you see these telltale signs?
Frequent scratching, licking, or chewing
Frequent rolling, rubbing, or scooting
Ear problems:
head shaking, smelly ear discharge, or scratching at ears
If you do, it’s a good idea to talk to your vet.
Take a Ride to the Vet
Are You on the Itch Relief Roller Coaster With Your Dog?
Ruh Roh, Still Itchy?
Let the Good Times Roll
Listen to These
Podcasts
Hear Dr. Brittany Lancellotti,
a veterinary dermatologist, talk
about treating allergic itch in dogs.
Why Antihistamines
May Fail to Control
Itch in Dogs
Studies show antihistamines are often not effective treatments for dogs with allergic dermatitis (skin allergies).1,5
Track Your
Dog’s Allergic Itch
Use our itch tracker, located in
this downloadable brochure,
to keep a record of your dog’s
itch and bring it to your vet visits.
When to Go to the
Vet for Your Pet’s Skin
Dog itch is a common behavior, but sometimes it can indicate an underlying issue. Learn what to look for and expect at your vet visit.
References: 1. Olivry T, DeBoer DJ, Favrot C, et al. for the International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals. Treatment of canine atopic dermatitis: 2015 updated guidelines from the International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals (ICADA). BMC Vet Res. 2015;11:210. doi:10.1186/s12917-015-0514-6 2. DeBoer D, Griffin C. The ACVD task force on canine atopic dermatitis (XXI): antihistamine pharmacotherapy. Veterinary Immunology And Immunopathology [serial online]. January 1, 2001;81(The ACVD Task Force on Canine atopic Dermatitis):323-329. 3. Mueller R, Olivry T, Prélaud P. Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (2): common food allergen sources in dogs and cats. BMC Vet Res. [serial online]. 2016;12(9):(12 January 2016). doi:10.1186/s12917-016-0633-8 4. Nationwide®. Dermatitis, gastroenteritis among most common conditions that prompt veterinary visits. Nationwide.com, Published April 18, 2024. Accessed April 26, 2024. 5. Hsiao Y-H, Chen C, Willemse T. Effects of cetirizine in dogs with chronic atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Vet Sci. 2016;17(4):549-553. doi:10.4142/jvs.2016.17.4.549 6. Data on file, Pet Owner Quantitative Market Research 2013, Zoetis Inc. 7. Data on file, Study No. 20SORDER-01-02, 2021, Zoetis Inc. 8. Data on file, Apoquel/Cytopoint Pet Owner Tracker Wave 11, 2022, Zoetis Inc.
