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When your dog keeps scratching, licking, or developing rashes, it’s easy to blame the food. But while food allergies do exist, we should not discount environmental allergens. According to an article by WebMD, it is believed that only ten percent of all allergy cases in dogs are true food allergies. In fact, often, itchiness, redness, or paw licking is due to environmental triggers, not the food. Thus, it's crucial to avoid making hasty decisions and altering your pet's diet without considering environmental allergens. Here are common household triggers for allergic flare-ups in dogs (and cats)—plus steps you can take to minimise exposure.
Dust mites are microscopic creatures that thrive in bedding, carpets, upholstery, and even your pet’s bed. They feed on skin flakes and are one of the most common allergens for both humans and pets.
How to identify the issue:
Pets allergic to dust mites may exhibit year-round symptoms such as excessive licking (especially of the paws), constant scratching, red skin, recurrent ear infections, or hot spots. Symptoms are often worse indoors or in the morning after sleeping.
What you can do:
Many cleaning agents, including floor cleaners, air fresheners, detergents, and sprays, contain chemicals and artificial fragrances that can irritate your pet’s skin, paws, and respiratory tract.
How to identify the issue:
Watch for sudden flare-ups after you’ve cleaned the floors or changed laundry detergent. You might notice paw licking, sneezing, watery eyes, or red rashes, especially on the belly or paws.
What you can do:
Mould spores can grow in damp areas like bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, and even inside HVAC systems. Just like us, our pets can inhale the spores or develop skin reactions after contact.
How to identify the issue:
Symptoms may mimic other allergies—itchy skin, ear infections, coughing, or irritated eyes. If symptoms worsen during rainy seasons or in certain parts of the house, mould may be to blame.
What you can do:
Even if your pet spends most of its time indoors, pollen from grasses, trees, and weeds can travel through your shoes, clothes, or even open windows and settle on floors or furniture.
How to identify the issue:
Pets with pollen allergies often suffer seasonally. You might see increased itching, especially around the face, belly, and paws, as well as sneezing or watery eyes.
What you can do:
Secondhand smoke, scented candles, incense, and even fumes from cooking oils can irritate your pet’s respiratory system or trigger allergic skin reactions.
How to identify the issue:
Look for coughing, wheezing, watery eyes, or general discomfort, especially after exposure to smoke or strong scents. Pets may also avoid certain rooms where the air feels “heavier”.
What you can do:
Even a single flea bite can trigger an intense allergic reaction in sensitive pets. It’s called Flea Allergy Dermatitis, or FAD. Mites, like Cheyletiella or Sarcoptes, can also cause itching and irritation.
How to identify the issue:
Check for flea dirt (tiny black specks) or visible fleas, especially at the base of the tail or on the belly. Mites may cause intense scratching, dandruff-like flakes, or patchy fur loss.
What you can do:
Start with careful observation
Pay close attention to your pet’s behaviour and symptoms. Keep a daily log that includes what your pet eats, where they spend time, any new exposures, and when symptoms appear. Look for trends—do the signs of irritation occur only during certain times of the year or all year round? Do the signs appear shortly after you’ve mopped the floor? Your dogs can’t tell you what’s bothering them—but their skin and behaviour will give you clues.
Remove or reduce potential indoor allergens
Gradually eliminate suspected irritants in your home. This procedure could involve changing laundry detergents and household cleaners, replacing your pet’s bedding, or removing air fresheners around the house. Taking a systematic approach will help you uncover what’s truly affecting your pet.
Remember that regular cleaning matters to remove allergens but so does how and with what you clean. Chemical cleaners can leave residues that trigger allergies when in contact with your dog’s skin. And household air quality isn’t just a human issue—your pet breathes the same air you do. In fact, with their sensitive sense of smell, any strong smell may affect them more than it does us.
Consult your veterinarian
Bring your notes to a veterinary visit. A vet can help you pinpoint the likely culprits, offer relief through medications or medicated shampoos, treat any infections that have developed due to scratching or licking, and recommend or conduct allergy tests when needed.
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