Is Your Dog Licking Their Paws Raw? It Might Be Atopy. Here’s How to Tell.

Why skin allergies matter?

Skin allergies are among the most common reasons dogs and cats visit veterinarians, and while they are rarely curable, they are very manageable with the right diagnosis and long-term care plan. Pets typically express allergic disease through the skin, itching, redness, ear issues, hair loss, and infections rather than through sneezing and watery eyes, as seen in many people, which means early recognition of dermatologic signs is essential for comfort and quality of life.

What does “allergy” mean in pets

An allergy is an inappropriate immune reaction to otherwise harmless proteins in food, parasites such as fleas, or environmental substances like pollens, molds, and dust mites, leading to itch, inflammation, and a damaged skin barrier that invites secondary infections. In dogs, the umbrella term “allergic dermatitis” includes flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), environmental allergy (atopic dermatitis), and adverse food reactions, all of which can look similar on the skin and often coexist, complicating diagnosis. Cats can develop parallel conditions, and feline presentations may include scabs, overgrooming, or patches of hair loss rather than obvious rashes, so patterns of grooming and subtle skin lesions matter in evaluation.

Quick roadmap

This guide decodes key symptoms, explains the major allergy types, shares practical home care and veterinary options, and outlines when to seek urgent help, so pets can be kept comfortable and flare-ups minimized year-round. Management is lifelong for most allergic pets, but modern therapies from targeted biologics to immunotherapy make sustained itch control and infection prevention far more achievable than a decade ago.

10 telltale signs of skin allergies

The “itch-scratch-lick” loop: Persistent scratching, licking, chewing, or rubbing, especially focused on paws, ears, face, belly, armpits, or groin, strongly suggests allergic itch, with atopic dermatitis classically involving feet, face, and ears. As the skin barrier breaks down from chronic itch, secondary bacterial (pyoderma) and yeast overgrowth worsen pruritus, creating a self-perpetuating cycle that needs both anti-itch control and infection management.
Patchy hair loss and broken hairs: Hair loss and coat thinning commonly follow chronic licking and chewing, with broken hair shafts and symmetrical alopecia often seen on flanks, belly, and along the tail base in flea-allergic pets. Many cats overgroom to the point of “fur mowing,” leaving barbered, short stubble across itchy zones rather than naturally shed areas, which is a classic clue to pruritus-driven hair loss.
Angry red skin and “hot spots”: Acute moist dermatitis (“hot spots”) can appear rapidly in allergic pets, presenting as intensely itchy, moist, red plaques that may ooze and require prompt veterinary care to clip, clean, and treat underlying triggers such as fleas or atopy. With chronic scratching, some dogs develop thickened, dark, lichenified “elephant skin,” a sign of long-standing inflammation that calls for sustained itch control and infection prevention to reverse.
Ear drama: itching, odor, discharge. Allergic otitis externa presents with head shaking, scratching, redness, and malodorous, waxy, or yeasty discharge, and it is one of the most frequent allergy complications in dogs and cats. Underlying hypersensitivity food allergy or atopic dermatitis is a leading primary factor for chronic ear disease, and addressing the allergy is essential to prevent recurrent infections and canal damage.
Paw problems and stained fur: Inflamed, itchy paws with redness between the toes, licking, and staining of light-colored fur from saliva point toward allergic dermatitis, as feet are hallmark target sites in canine atopy. Paw chewing and interdigital lesions often worsen seasonally with pollen surges or persist year-round when dust mites or food triggers are active.
Skin infections that keep coming back: Allergic skin is prone to bacterial infections from Staphylococcus and yeast overgrowth by Malassezia, which amplify itch and odor and demand treatment in tandem with allergy control to break relapse cycles. Cytology-guided therapy and ear/skin rechecks are often needed to verify that the infection has resolved before stepping down treatments.
Seasonal flares or year-round itch: Environmental allergies often flare seasonally with tree, grass, or weed pollens, while dust mites and molds can drive year-round itch, and some pets shift from seasonal to continuous signs over time. Food allergies can mimic environmental patterns but are more likely to remain non-seasonal, which is why careful history and diet trials are critical when signs persist through all seasons.
Hind-end focus with flea allergy: Flea allergy dermatitis often targets the lower back, tail base, and hindquarters, and a single bite can trigger days to weeks of severe itch in sensitized pets, even if no fleas are found on exam. Indoor animals are not immune, as fleas can hitchhike on clothing or other animals, making consistent, vet-recommended flea control essential to rule out and treat FAD.
Red, irritated bellies and armpits: The belly, groin, and axillae are common areas of redness and rash in allergic dermatitis because the skin there is thin and often exposed to environmental allergens and grooming trauma. These regions can become secondarily infected quickly, which is why early, comprehensive itch and infection control reduces the risk of chronic changes.
Behavior changes from chronic itch: Restlessness, sleep disruption, and irritability frequently accompany uncontrolled pruritus, as constant discomfort affects activity patterns and quality of life for both pets and families. Subtle signs, such as frequent head shakes, foot licking after walks, or “drive-by” scratching against furniture, often reflect an underlying allergic state that deserves evaluation before complications snowball.

The allergy lineup: what triggers itch

Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD): FAD is an immunologic reaction to proteins in flea saliva, and highly sensitive pets can erupt after just one or two bites, with intense itch focused near the tail base and hindquarters. Because fleas are excellent at hiding and can be absent at the time of exam, year-round, veterinarian-directed flea prevention for all pets in the household is a cornerstone of both diagnosis and control.
Environmental allergy (atopic dermatitis): Atopy involves hypersensitivity to airborne or contact allergens like pollens, dust mites, and molds, with hallmark itch on feet, face, and ears, and frequent secondary infections and ear disease. While there is no cure, atopy is highly manageable using a combination of avoidance where possible, bathing to reduce allergen load, antipruritic medications, infection control, and, when indicated, allergen-specific immunotherapy for long-term benefit.
Adverse food reactions (food allergy/intolerance): Food allergy can look identical to environmental allergy and often presents as non-seasonal itch, recurrent ear infections, and gastrointestinal signs in some patients, requiring a strict elimination diet to diagnose. The gold standard is an 8-week or longer elimination diet with a hydrolyzed-protein or truly novel-protein formula followed by a controlled re-challenge to confirm the trigger, because blood or saliva tests are unreliable for diagnosing food allergy in pets.

Decoding ear involvement in allergic pets

Otitis externa is a common allergic complication, with head shaking, ear scratching, odor, and waxy or purulent discharge that can recur unless the underlying allergy is addressed alongside topical therapy. Underlying hypersensitivity diseases, such as atopy or food allergy, are the most common primary drivers of chronic otitis, and many dogs with food allergy develop ear inflammation that improves only when the dietary trigger is eliminated. Bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas, and yeast-like Malassezia, perpetuate inflammation and biofilm, so cytology-driven antimicrobials plus anti-inflammatory therapy are key to resolving stubborn cases.

How veterinarians diagnose the cause

Diagnosis begins with a thorough history, pattern recognition, and rule-outs for parasites and infections, followed by strategic trials to separate flea, environmental, and food components of disease. For suspected food allergy, a prescription hydrolyzed or strictly novel protein elimination diet of at least 8 weeks with a precise re-challenge remains the definitive approach, and even small deviations or treats can confound results. When atopy is confirmed or strongly suspected, veterinarians may pursue intradermal or serum testing to build a personalized immunotherapy plan, noting that these tests are for desensitization formulation rather than for diagnosing whether a pet is “allergic” in the first place.

Immediate comfort: what helps now

Frequent, vet-recommended bathing can reduce surface allergen load and help calm itch, with weekly to biweekly schedules often suggested for atopic dogs and antimicrobial shampoos used when infections are part of the flare. Short courses of appropriate antipruritic medications can break the itch cycle and protect skin while underlying causes are clarified and infections are treated. Clipping and cleaning moist lesions (“hot spots”) and addressing ear inflammation promptly prevent deeper infections and reduce pain, speeding recovery.

Long-term control: modern treatment toolbox

Sustained allergy management is multimodal and individualized, combining avoidance, skin care, infection control, and itch relief tailored to disease severity and seasonality. Evidence-supported antipruritic options include short courses of glucocorticoids, oral oclacitinib, oral cyclosporine, and the injectable monoclonal antibody lokivetmab (Cytopoint), selected based on patient needs, comorbidities, and owner goals. Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only disease-modifying option and often reduces flare frequency and need for medications over time, making it a foundational strategy for many atopic patients.

Spotlight on Cytopoint and targeted itch relief

Lokivetmab (Cytopoint) is a caninized monoclonal antibody that binds interleukin-31, a key cytokine in canine itch signaling, providing targeted relief without the systemic effects of traditional immunosuppressants. In clinical use, Cytopoint reduces pruritus and associated lesions across allergic dermatitis presentations, with dosing commonly every 4–8 weeks and timing individualized to the patient’s response under veterinary guidance. This biologic can be combined with infection control, flea prevention, bathing, and immunotherapy to deliver comprehensive, sustained relief in moderate to severe cases.

Home care habits that help

Regular bathing with a veterinarian-recommended shampoo can reduce allergen burden and help manage microbial overgrowth, with frequency adjusted to flare risk and skin condition. Environmental control, consistent flea prevention, washing bedding, and reducing indoor dust and moisture can lower exposure to common triggers that sustain itch. Routine skin and ear checks between veterinary visits help spot early redness, debris, or odor, allowing swift intervention before flares escalate into infections.

Diet trials: getting it right the first time

A properly executed elimination diet uses a prescription hydrolyzed formula or a truly novel protein and carbohydrate source not previously fed, given exclusively for at least 8 weeks, followed by a controlled re-challenge to confirm relapse on the prior diet. Treats, table scraps, flavored medications, and food-licking behaviors must be eliminated or replaced with approved items to avoid false negatives, because even trace exposures can derail results. Some dogs require 8–12 weeks to reach maximal improvement, so patience and strict compliance are essential to an accurate diagnosis and a sustained reduction in ear and skin flares.

Preventing secondary infections

Because allergic skin harbors disrupted barriers and altered microenvironments, secondary bacterial and yeast infections are common and must be treated based on cytology and clinical response; otherwise, itch persists despite allergy control. Ears require particular diligence: topical therapy tailored to cytology, anti-inflammatory treatment to reduce canal swelling, and rechecks to ensure complete resolution help prevent chronic changes and stenosis. When infections are recurrent, reevaluating underlying allergy control, flea exposure, diet compliance, or under-treated atopy often reveals why flares keep returning.

When to escalate care

Veterinary dermatology referral is valuable for chronic or complex cases, frequent otitis, or when immunotherapy is being considered, as specialists can refine diagnosis and build a durable, long-term plan. Pets not responding as expected to flea control, diet trials, or standard antipruritic medications benefit from reassessment, culture-guided therapy when warranted, and diagnostic updates to pinpoint hidden perpetuating factors. Early intervention for severe flares prevents complications, improves comfort, and reduces total medication exposure across the allergy season.

FAQs: fast answers to common questions

Can puppies or kittens outgrow skin allergies? Allergic tendencies are typically lifelong once they emerge, but many pets gain excellent control with consistent management and appropriate therapies tailored over time. Early diagnosis and proactive plans reduce the risk of chronic skin changes and recurrent infections, improving comfort as the animal matures.
Are allergy shots (immunotherapy) effective? Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only disease-modifying strategy for environmental allergies and is often effective at reducing flares and medication needs, though benefits may take several months to become evident. Many atopic dogs do best when immunotherapy is combined with bathing, infection control, and targeted antipruritic medications during peak seasons or flares.
Why did signs appear “suddenly”? Atopy typically begins in young adulthood and may shift from seasonal to year-round as sensitivities broaden, which can make signs seem abrupt as thresholds are crossed in a given season or environment. Food allergy can present at any age and often masquerades as environmental allergy, so non-seasonal itch and recurrent ear disease should prompt a strict elimination diet trial.
What about Cytopoint versus pills? Cytopoint targets a single itch pathway (IL-31) and is not metabolized like traditional drugs, which can be advantageous for some patients, while oral options like oclacitinib and cyclosporine provide flexible daily control; veterinarians select based on the pet’s medical history and response. Many allergic pets benefit from a combined approach that includes biologic therapy, antimicrobial care when needed, and long-term strategies like immunotherapy.
How long should an elimination diet last? Plan for a minimum of 8 weeks before judging the response, followed by a provocation trial to confirm the diagnosis, as shorter trials risk missing slower responders and yielding inconclusive results. Owner compliance and strict ingredient control are the most important determinants of success in diagnosing food allergy accurately.

When to sound the alarm

Seek immediate veterinary care for facial swelling or hives, breathing difficulty, sudden lethargy, or extensive open or draining skin lesions, as these can signal severe allergic reactions, secondary infection complications, or other urgent conditions. Sudden, severe ear pain with head tilt, balance issues, or marked swelling also warrants urgent evaluation to prevent deeper ear involvement and long-term damage.

Living well with allergic pets

The goal is comfort with the least medication necessary, achieved through consistent parasite control, strategic bathing, environmental management, and tailored anti-itch and infection protocols that evolve with the pet’s needs. Over time, well-managed pets experience fewer emergency flares, fewer infections, and improved quality of life, especially when immunotherapy is part of the long-term plan for atopy. Regular rechecks keep treatment on track, confirm infection clearance, and catch seasonal shifts early, preventing small problems from becoming big setbacks.

Practical allergy action plan

Start with the basics: Ensure year-round, veterinarian-recommended flea prevention for all pets in the household, since FAD can persist even when fleas are not seen, and a single bite can trigger intense itch in sensitive animals. Bathe regularly with a recommended shampoo to reduce allergen load on hair and skin, and adjust frequency based on season and risk of microbial overgrowth.
Document patterns: Track itch intensity, body areas affected, seasonality, and responses to bathing or medications, bringing notes and photos to veterinary visits to accelerate diagnosis and refine treatment. Watch for ear signs, such as scratching, head shaking, odor, discharge, and seek timely care, since otitis is a frequent companion to allergies and requires direct treatment plus allergy control.
Test strategically: If the itch is non-seasonal or ear infections recur despite good flea control, pursue a strict 8-week elimination diet trial with a prescription hydrolyzed or truly novel protein, followed by a re-challenge to confirm the diagnosis before reintroducing varied foods. For confirmed or likely environmental allergies, discuss intradermal or serum testing to formulate allergen-specific immunotherapy aimed at long-term reduction of flares and drug reliance.
Treat flares comprehensively: Combine targeted antipruritic therapy with infection control based on cytology to break the itch–infection loop, and schedule rechecks to document resolution before stepping down therapy. Consider Cytopoint or other evidence-supported antipruritics alongside bathing and environmental management to maintain comfort during peak allergy periods.

Special notes for cats

Cats often show allergic disease through overgrooming, small scabs, or patchy hair loss rather than overt rashes, and flea control remains fundamental because FAD is a major driver of feline itch. Environmental allergies and food reactions follow diagnostic principles similar to those of dogs, with elimination diets and, when appropriate, immunotherapy forming the backbone of long-term control. Gentle, regular grooming checks and early veterinary intervention reduce the risk of secondary infections and restore comfort more quickly in sensitive feline patients.

Ear care essentials

Successful otitis management requires identifying and treating the primary allergic cause, addressing predisposing factors, and eliminating perpetuating infections with cytology-directed therapy and inflammation control. Without allergy control, ear disease relapses, so ongoing maintenance and periodic rechecks are part of durable success in allergic pets prone to otitis. Educating families about signs of early relapse, such as subtle head shaking, renewed odor, or scratchy nights, encourages swift action before canals are damaged.

The bottom line

Skin allergies in dogs and cats are common, chronic, and highly manageable with a structured plan that integrates prevention, bathing, targeted antipruritic therapy, infection control, and long-term options like immunotherapy. With today’s tools and a proactive partnership with the veterinary team, most allergic pets can enjoy comfortable, active lives with far fewer flares and less need for emergency care.

References and evidence backbone used in this guide

Merck Veterinary Manual: Canine and feline allergy, atopic dermatitis, bathing guidance, and owner-focused overviews.
VCA: Flea allergy dermatitis, otitis externa, and biologics/anti-itch medications in practical care.
ICADA consensus guidelines: Multimodal treatment for canine atopic dermatitis.
CAVD/peer-reviewed literature: Elimination diet best practices and 8-week minimum standard.
Frontiers/PMC: Cytopoint efficacy and IL‑31 targeting for allergic pruritus.
Otitis evidence: Primary allergic drivers and infection perpetuation in chronic ear disease.