Finally get to the bottom of the itch.
Constant scratching, licked paws, and ear infections that keep coming back are almost always allergies, and they are miserable for your pet. We work out whether it is fleas, food, or the environment driving it, calm the flare quickly, then build a plan that keeps your pet comfortable for the long run.
Dogs and cats · flea, food and environmental allergies · Fear Free certified
Signs your pet has an allergy
Owners often live with these for months, assuming they are normal. They are not, and they are treatable.
Scratching that never really stops
Especially if it flares in certain seasons or all year round.
Licking or chewing the paws
Rusty brown staining between the toes is a classic allergy tell.
Recurring ear infections
Ears that keep coming back are one of the most common signs owners miss.
Red, irritated, or smelly skin
Rashes, hot spots, a greasy coat, or a yeasty smell that returns after every wash.
Hair loss and thickened skin
Bald patches or dark, leathery skin from months of scratching and rubbing.
Rubbing the face, scooting the rear
Cats over groom into scabs. Dogs rub their face and scoot. Both can be allergy driven.
A method, not a guess
Allergies are frustrating because the shortcuts do not work. Here is the order we go in, and why it saves you money and your pet discomfort.
Find the cause, not just the symptom
Fleas, environment, and food all look the same on the outside. We work out which one is driving your pet's itch before we treat it.
Calm the flare fast
Nobody should watch their pet suffer while we investigate. We get the itch and any skin or ear infection under control first.
A long term plan that fits
Depending on the cause that can mean a food trial, year round flea control, allergy specific medication, or immunotherapy. We match it to your pet and your budget.
Rechecks so it stays managed
Allergies are managed, not cured. We keep an eye on things and adjust so flare ups get rarer, not routine.
How we pin down what your pet is allergic to
Dr. Torok walks through the types of allergies and how we identify the source, the same explanation you would get in the exam room.
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Allergy questions owners actually ask
How do you figure out what my pet is allergic to?
We start with the history and the pattern, when it flares and where it itches, then rule causes in or out in order. Fleas first because they are easy to treat, then a food trial if the picture fits, and environmental allergies when the rest is excluded. The video on this page walks through exactly how that process works.Is it fleas, food, or environmental allergies?
It can be any of the three, and pets often have more than one at once. They look identical from the outside, which is why guessing at it rarely works. The order we test in is deliberate and it saves you money by not skipping to the expensive answer first.What is a food trial and how long does it take?
A food trial means feeding a strict prescription diet and nothing else, no treats or table food, for about eight to twelve weeks to see if the itch settles. It sounds long, but it is the only reliable way to diagnose a food allergy, and we coach you through the parts that trip most people up.Will my pet be on medication forever?
Not always. Some pets need help only during their allergy season, others do best with year round management. The goal is the least medication that keeps your pet comfortable, and for many that reduces over time once the plan is dialed in.My dog keeps getting ear infections. Is that allergies?
Very often, yes. Ears that clear up on treatment and then return a few weeks later are usually a symptom of an underlying allergy, not a fresh infection each time. Treating the allergy is what finally breaks the cycle.Do you offer allergy testing?
Yes, when it is the right next step. Testing is most useful once fleas and food have been ruled out and we are building an immunotherapy plan for environmental allergies. We will tell you honestly when it will help and when it will not.Can allergies be cured?
Allergies are managed rather than cured, the same as they are in people. The good news is that a well built plan can get most pets to comfortable and keep them there, with flare ups that are rare and easy to handle.My cat over grooms and has scabs. Could that be allergies?
It absolutely can. Cats show allergies differently from dogs, often as over grooming, scabby bumps, or bald patches on the belly and legs. It is worth a look rather than assuming it is just a behavior.
Stop guessing at the itch.
Book an allergy visit and we will find the cause, calm the flare, and give you a plan that lasts.