Most skin issues in dogs and cats fall into three categories: flea allergies, food allergies, and environmental allergies. More often than not, it's a combination of all three, so it's rarely as simple as picking one cause and treating it. Our approach is to find the right mix of care that lowers your pet's overall itch threshold, so they're not constantly flaring up with infections.

Dogs and cats aren't actually allergic to fleas themselves. They're allergic to flea saliva, and it only takes one bite to kick off an itch cascade. Cats tend to be especially prone to this type of reaction, so even indoor cats who catch a single flea can end up with a significant allergic response. Keeping your pet on flea and tick prevention year-round takes one of the biggest potential triggers off the table entirely.

There's no blood test that can diagnose a food allergy in cats or dogs. The only reliable way is a diet elimination trial, which means feeding a hydrolyzed protein diet for a minimum of 12 weeks with no treats, no table scraps, and nothing else added in. If a pet gets anything outside the trial diet during that window, the clock resets to day one. Beef and chicken tend to be the most common culprits we see.

Pollen, dust mites, grasses, and trees can all trigger a reaction, and some pets are even allergic to other pets' dander. We offer immunotherapy shots tailored to your pet’s environmental allergies. Treatment typically lasts at least one year, and for many pets, it becomes a lifelong part of their routine. Our team will walk you through the entire process, from teaching you how to safely give the shots at home to guiding you through the tapering schedule as your pet's dose adjusts over time.

Recurring ear infections are one of the most common dermatology concerns we see, and the cause isn't always straightforward. The underlying trigger can be food-related, environmental, or a combination of both. We treat the infection directly with medicated ear cleaners and topical treatments, then work with you to identify and manage the allergy behind it so the infections don't just keep coming back.

Licking, chewing, scooting, and scratching often lead to secondary skin infections. Our team addresses these infections using medicated baths, topical treatments, and anti-itch medications at the first sign of a flare-up. As a resource for Columbus dog dermatology needs, we help catch these symptoms early to prevent them from getting worse.

Some skin conditions go beyond allergies. We diagnose and manage autoimmune diseases like lupus and vasculitis, along with breed-specific conditions such as dry eye in German Shepherds. For definitive answers, we perform skin biopsies and work with a veterinary dermatology pathologist who specializes exclusively in reading skin samples.

Allergies in cats don't always look the same as they do in dogs. Instead of constant scratching, cats are more likely to over-groom. Because these signs can be easy to miss or mistake for normal feline behavior, it takes an experienced eye to catch them early. Our experience working with cats of all ages, from seniors with fur matting issues to kittens with food allergies, is why local pet parents trust PAWS for cat dermatology in Columbus.