This Itchy Pet Awareness Month, global animal health company, Zoetis South Africa, is helping pet owners give their four-legged family members relief from chronic itching in a more manageable way.
Johannesburg, 4 August 2026: Dog owners, take note: if your dog is constantly scratching, it doesn’t automatically mean they have fleas. While fleas are common, there are other causes of itching. Sometimes the culprit may be a combination of two or more. Dogs can be itchy as a result of other parasites, bacterial or yeast infections, food sensitivities and environmental allergies to substances like pollen, mould or dust mites.
When your dog suffers from environmental allergies that affect their skin, it’s called atopic dermatitis. Controlling it can be time-consuming and labour-intensive, but leaving it untreated can cause your dog distress and put them at risk of secondary infections.
The good news: if you’re feeling worried or overwhelmed, you’re not alone – your veterinarian can help you choose an approach you can realistically stick with so both you and your dog can benefit.
What is atopic dermatitis in dogs?
“Atopic dermatitis is a common allergic skin condition where a pet’s immune system reacts to environmental allergens, leading to itch, inflammation, and skin-barrier disruption,” says Dr Tarryn Dent, Business Unit Director: Companion Animals at global animal health company, Zoetis South Africa. “When the skin barrier is stressed, secondary issues like yeast or bacterial overgrowth can also become part of the problem.”
Signs can include:
- Recurring itch
- Seasonal patterns
- Licking/chewing paws
- Rubbing the face
- Frequent ear issues
- Symptoms that return after short-term relief
Importantly, with the right plan (and follow-ups when needed), many dogs can be kept comfortable and well controlled long term.
How to diagnose environmental allergies in dogs
Itching itself is not a diagnosis. If your dog has any of these symptoms, it’s best to book a professional consultation.
“Your veterinarian will examine your dog and take a detailed history, asking questions about when the itching started, whether it’s seasonal, which areas appear to be affected, whether your dog’s ears seem to be itchy, and what you’ve already tried that has or hasn’t helped. They may recommend additional tests,” says Dr Dent.
Managing your dog’s chronic allergic itch
Atopic dermatitis can’t be cured. It’s a long-term condition that can be managed and controlled, but your dog may still have flare-ups from time to time.
“Treatment is often ‘multimodal’, meaning the veterinarian may combine approaches to address both the dog’s underlying allergic tendency and the additional ‘flare factors’ that can pile on top,” says Dr Dent. This matters because flare-ups can have various causes, which need their own diagnosis and treatment.
A multimodal plan may include:
- Parasite control and checking for parasites, such as mites and fleas
- Treating skin or ear infections when they are present
- Anti-itch therapy prescribed by the veterinarian
- Skin barrier support (e.g. medicated shampoos, sprays or wipes)
- Trigger management and, in some cases, allergen-focused strategies
Your veterinarian may adjust it over time as your dog’s triggers and seasons change.
If your dog has a flare-up, it doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong. It often means a new trigger needs attention. Often, when these “flare factors” are diagnosed and treated, the underlying anti-itch plan can go back to working well again.
“A flare-up is a temporary worsening of your dog’s itch and skin inflammation, even if things have been fairly well controlled recently,” says Dr Dent. This often happens when there’s an extra trigger layered on top of the underlying allergy, such as parasites, skin infections or a reaction to food.
“You may suddenly notice more scratching, chewing or licking; red or irritated skin; hot spots; or worsened ear issues,” says Dr Dent. “These symptoms should improve again once the flare trigger has been addressed and the management plan has been adjusted.”
Take the stress out of managing your dog’s allergic itch
Skin allergies don’t only affect your dog; they can affect the whole family. “Sleep disruption, constant monitoring, cleaning, and repeated at-home dosing can add up,” says Dr Dent.
Routines and positive reinforcement can go a long way towards getting your dog to take medication. But if you’re struggling to keep up with the demands of managing your dog’s skin allergies at home, be honest with your veterinarian so that you can discuss alternatives.
Questions to ask at your visit:
- What are the most likely causes of my dog’s itch, and what should we rule out first?
- Could parasites or a skin/ear infection be contributing?
- What does a flare-up look like for my dog, and what’s our plan when it happens?
- Which treatment format best fits my dog and my household routine? “Normalising caregiver burden helps families seek manageable solutions and stick with care,” says Dr Dent.
The least labour-intensive options are usually the ones that reduce daily “treatment tasks” and stress, she adds. “Ask your veterinarian about options that can reduce at-home treatment tasks, such as vet-administered injectable options (dosing schedules vary by therapy and by dog) or palatable chewable oral options when medication is needed.”
- Vet-administered injectable options: “For many households, a vet-administered injection given on a schedule your veterinarian recommends can be simpler than remembering and managing medication at home every day, especially for dogs that resist handling or for families with busy schedules,” says Dr Dent.
- Palatable chewable tablets: If your veterinarian has recommended oral therapy but your dog refuses to take pills, a chewable format can reduce the struggle, making dosing faster and lowering stress for both the pet and the caregiver. This will help you stay committed to your dog’s treatment over the long term.
“Ultimately, the ‘best’ option is the one your veterinarian recommends and your household can realistically maintain, because consistent care is a major part of keeping allergic itch under control over time,” concludes Dr Dent.
ABOUT ZOETIS:
A leading multi-national animal health company, Zoetis builds on more than 65 years of experience in animal health to research, develop, manufacture and commercialise medicines, vaccines and diagnostic products. Zoetis understands the deep connection between people and their pet and provides veterinarians with the resources needed to provide the highest quality of care and support, help improve the quality and extend the life of cats, dogs and horses and make it easier for owners to contribute towards the health and wellness of their companion animals. Zoetis produces vaccines, anti-infectives, parasiticides, dermatology products, animal health diagnostic and other pharmaceuticals.
PRESS CONTACT:
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Kerry Simpson
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