Does Your Dog or Cat Have an Allergy? Common Symptoms, Triggers & Natural Remedies

If your dog or cat is constantly scratching, licking, or dealing with upset tummies, allergies could be the culprit. From seasonal pollen and contact with garden and household chemicals, to dust and insect bites, allergies can cause a wide range of symptoms.

Key Highlights

·       If your dog or cat is licking, scratching, or scooting – allergies could be the hidden cause.

·       Grass, pollen, dust, flea bites and even food ingredients can trigger allergic reactions, causing itchiness, skin irritations, inflamed anal glands and sinus congestion.

·       Skin irritation can lead to bacterial infections such as hot spots (pyotraumatic dermatitis) or toe cysts (interdigital furunculosis).

·       Excessive scratching and licking, or biting are key symptoms – along with fur loss, changes in appetite and general lethargy.

·       Hippo Health offers a range of natural remedies that can help to support dogs, cats and small pets such as rabbits who are experiencing symptoms associated with allergies.

Knowing what’s causing an allergic reaction in your dog or cat can be tricky. So here’s a practical breakdown of the most common allergy-related conditions in pets and how to recognise them, along with tips and techniques for managing symptoms.

ALLERGIES THAT CAUSE DOGS AND CATS TO ITCH

Grass, pollen, dust, flea bites, and certain food ingredients can cause dogs and cats to itch, and this excessive scratching and licking can lead to secondary infections. Knowing what to look for and having the right support on hand can make a big difference to your pet’s wellbeing.

Seasonal Sensitivities: Pollen and Grasses

Spring and summer can be tough for allergy-prone pets. Flowering grasses and airborne pollen are common triggers, especially for dogs who come into contact with spray residues while exploring grassy spaces.

What to Watch For:

Hay fever-like symptoms like watery eyes and sneezing can be caused by airborne allergens, while itchy skin – especially on bellies, paws, around the mouth or in areas with less fur coverage – are more often triggered by a contact allergy. Symptoms are often easier to spot in dogs and are more subtle in cats, where over-grooming or sneezing are the most noticeable signs.

Managing Pollen and Grass Allergies

For Dogs:

Limit walks during high pollen times and give them a rinse after outdoor play. Try dressing them in something that covers their belly or other areas where irritation occurs.

Remedies to try: BioPet Grasses for general support and hay fever-like symptoms, BioPet Skin for general itchiness, or Skin Allergy Underbelly for targeted contact allergy support.

-        Not sure if it's allergies causing your dog to itch? Read our blog post on tips for identifying and managing your itchy dog.

For Cats:

Try to keep them inside during high pollen times or on windy days.

Remedies to try: BioPet Skin for cats experiencing skin irritations, or Sinus Plus – Feline for runny noses and sneezing caused by allergies.

Dust and Indoor Allergens

Even the cleanest homes will harbour dust mites. These microscopic critters – or more specifically, their droppings – can cause an overreaction of your pets’ immune system.

Symptoms of Dust Allergy

If your dog or cat is free of fleas but is constantly itchy all over and all year round, then they could have a dust allergy. Often the only physical symptom, other than the non-stop itching, is pale, pink patches of skin that are only visible when you part their fur.

Managing Dust Allergies in Dogs & Cats

Wash and air your pet's bedding and any plush toys as often as you can. Using washable blankets in their favourite resting spots ensures you can wash and change these regularly, too.

Remedy to try: Dust Allergy – Pets for support during acute attacks, or for long-term maintenance dosing. This remedy is also suitable for small pets, such as rabbits.

Cats with Eczema

Cats can be prone to feline eczema, officially known as Atopic Dermatitis. This frustrating condition is often caused by inhaling or coming into contact with allergens from a wide range of sources – from dust and pollens to fungi, mould or man-made products like cat litter, fabrics or cleaning products.

Signs your Cat has Feline Eczema

Your cat will likely be scratching, licking or biting their fur excessively, which can result in hair loss. They may also have oily fur and dandruff, and you’ll likely notice small, crusty bumps on their skin.

Managing Feline Eczema

With so many possible causes, it can be difficult to determine exactly which allergen is causing the problem. Switching to hypoallergenic food, using a different type of bedding, cat litter or flea treatment (or trying our natural flea repellent) are all good places to start.

Remedy to try:  support a normal immune response with our Eczema – Feline remedy.

Flea Bite Allergies

Some dogs and cats can have intense reactions to flea saliva, turning one bite into days of itchy discomfort, which can lead to ongoing issues with dermatitis.

How to Spot Flea Bite Allergies

This kind of allergy is most common in spring and summer. If your pet has a flea bite allergy, they’ll be constantly scratching, licking or nibbling at their skin, often turning their fur brown, or resulting in fur loss.

Supporting a Dog or Cat with a Flea Bite Allergy

Keeping their flea treatment up to date is key; however, some flea treatments need the flea to bite your pet to receive a lethal dose of chemical. We offer a natural flea repellent which subtly changes the body odour of your pet to discourage fleas from biting them in the first place.  

Remedies to try: Flea Allergy – Pets to support a reduced reaction to flea bites, or BioPet Fleas & Ticks to reduce bites by repelling fleas. These remedies are also suitable for small pets such as rabbits.

Hot Spots or Pyotraumatic Dermatitis

Persistent itching due to food allergies, flea bites, or seasonal irritants can cause pets to scratch or lick one spot excessively, leading to raw, infected areas known as hot spots that occur most commonly on the head, neck, tail, backside, legs or hips.

What to Watch For:

Patches of red and inflamed skin which develop quickly and are moist or oozy with discharge that can be smelly. Your pet will often lick or bite these spots intensively and may be defensive if you try to touch these areas, as they can be painful.

Managing Hot Spots in Dogs & Cats

Keep the area clean by clipping the fur around the hot spot and cleaning with a mild antiseptic. You could also put a cone on your pet to prevent them from licking. If the hot spots don’t seem to be healing, we recommend seeing your vet.

Remedies to try:  Hot Spots Plus for minor bacterial infections, or BioPet Skin to support healthy skin and coat long term.

Itchy Ears & Ear Infections

Allergies – whether food-based or environmental – can trigger inflammation and irritation in the ear canal, resulting in itching and redness, which can also lead to bacterial infection.

How to tell if your pet has an ear infection.

Intense scratching at the ears and shaking their head are signs that your pet has ear discomfort. In some cases, there may also be a smelly discharge.

Managing Itchy Ears

While allergies are a common cause of ear discomfort, there are other causes such as ear mites, fungal infection or foreign objects such as seeds or debris becoming lodged in the ear canal. Keep ears clean and dry by wiping gently with a clean, dry cloth. Avoid poking anything into the ear as this can cause injury. If the issue doesn’t resolve or you have any concerns, see your vet.

Remedy to try: Ear Health - Pets supports cats and dogs, and small pets such as rabbits experiencing itchy ears.

OTHER TYPES OF ALLERGIES IN DOGS AND CATS

Dogs with Inflamed or Congested Anal Glands

Food or environmental allergies can cause inflammation in your dog’s anal glands, preventing them from emptying properly, which increases the risk of infection.

Signs of Anal Gland Issues

Dogs often focus intensely on licking or biting the anal area, may scoot or drag their rear end along the ground, have discomfort when defecating or have difficulty sitting. There may also be a noticeably foul, fishy smell coming from their rear end.

Managing Congested or Inflamed Anal Glands in Dogs

Manual expression – while not a pleasant job - is usually the quickest way to provide relief, although please see your vet if the condition doesn’t ease. Some ways to prevent anal gland congestion are through a high fibre diet, as firm stools can help to naturally express the gland.

Remedy to try: Anal Glands Plus provides support to dogs experiencing inflamed or congested anal glands.

Toe Cysts (Interdigital Furunculosis)

Toe cysts are most common in dogs, who will often start to lick their paws as a way of self-soothing when they feel bored or unwell. Intense paw licking can irritate and damage the skin, creating the perfect environment for a cyst to develop.

How to Spot a Toe Cyst

Your dog will have swollen red or purple lumps between their toes – most commonly on their front paws - which, if painful, may cause your pet to limp. Toe cysts can also burst, discharging a fluid that is clear, but could also have some blood in it.

How to Support a Dog or Cat with a Toe Cyst

Keep the paw clean using an antiseptic wipe. Soaking the paw in warm water can also provide some relief. If the cysts are recurring, then identifying the underlying cause, such as an allergy – is useful, although often tricky.

Remedy to try:  Toe Cysts – Dogs supports pets experiencing symptoms.

Gastrointestinal Upsets

Food sensitivities are the most common cause of tummy upsets in dogs and cats. Some pets are sensitive to proteins such as beef, dairy, chicken and fish, while for others it’s pet food ingredients like wheat, corn and soy or additives such as sulphur dioxide.

Signs Your Dog or Cat Has a Food Allergy

Vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive flatulence or a gurgling tummy after eating are all signs of a gastrointestinal issue. You may also notice a change in appetite or weight, a general lack of energy and skin problems such as itching and excessive licking.

Determining Your Pet's Food Allergy

Trying an elimination diet, including removing any treats, can help to pinpoint the specific protein or ingredient that is causing the issue.

Remedies to try: BioPet Gastric for generalised support and excessive flatulence, or try Vomiting – Pets or Diarrhoea – Pets for more specific support. These remedies are also suitable for small pets such as rabbits.

Conclusion: Understanding Your Pet’s Allergies Is the First Step

Allergies in pets don’t always show up the same way – they can affect everything from skin and ears to stomachs and sinuses. Knowing what signs to look for and having the right support on hand can make a big difference in your pet’s comfort. If you’re unsure of the cause, your vet is always the best place to start.

Looking for gentle, natural support for your itchy pet? Browse our full range of allergy-support remedies.