America’s Itchy Dog Epidemic

New data from Elanco highlights the growing burden of canine itch and the emotional toll on families.

Elanco recently released a new report highlighting the significance of “America’s Itchy Dogs” and the impact itch has on dogs, their owners, and veterinarians. The report includes findings from multiple surveys of pet owners, as well as veterinarians, and reveals startling details on how badly dogs around the country are itching for relief and cost-effective, long-lasting solutions, the company said in a release.

“There are more itchy dogs out there than you might realize,” said Dr. Jennifer Miller, veterinarian and canine dermatology expert at Elanco. “This report shows that nearly 9 in 10 U.S. dogs are ‘itchy dogs,’ according to their pet owners, experiencing symptoms of itchiness at any point throughout the year. Seasonal allergies make that worse, with more than 8 in 10 dog owners saying that their cities’ pollen levels affect their dogs’ itch levels. On average, pet owners say they’re spending $173 more and using two additional treatments to treat their dogs’ itch during allergy season; and they’re desperate for a simple, cost-effective solution.”

The nearly 9-in-10 statistic from Elanco’s report is higher than previous estimates, which could be based on the level of pruritus pet parents are noting and whether it constitutes as normal or excessive for their dog, said Dr. Joya Griffin, a board certified dermatologist.

“However, in humans, we’ve seen an increase over time in hypersensitivity disorders, including atopic dermatitis,” she said. This is likely multifactorial and may be related to genetics and environmental factors such as decreased intestinal parasitism, increased sanitation and reduced exposure to microbes early in childhood (the hygiene hypothesis), and diet. “I believe similar factors are likely attributed to the increased incidence of atopic disease in dogs.”

Environmental allergens play a significant role in canine pruritus. Among year-round itchy dogs, up to 80% will have environmental allergies or atopic dermatitis, Dr. Griffin said. This can be due to pollen as well as molds and indoor allergens like dander, storage and dust mites, and materials like cotton, feather and wool. “When pollen levels increase, many of my patients flare up due to their reactivity to these seasonal allergens.” There’s also a smaller subset of dogs who are seasonally itchy, with spring and summer being the only times of the year they experience symptoms. This seasonal pattern is why allergy season can be so challenging for both pets and owners, often requiring additional treatments and increased veterinary visits during peak periods.

Building trust between veterinarian and pet owner

The report noted that the majority of veterinarians find itchiness to be the most frustrating issue they deal with.

“One of the biggest challenges I face is explaining to pet parents the importance of diagnosing the actual cause of pruritus,” Dr. Griffin said. Atopy is a diagnosis of exclusion, and it’s important to rule out everything else that can cause pruritus. Oftentimes, it’s difficult to get pet owners’ buy-in on diagnostic diet trials and even consistent flea control protocols. “Once we have a diagnosis of atopy, we can then create a multimodal treatment plan that reduces and controls pruritus, reduces allergic flares, and restores the skin barrier function. Working through the patient’s history and conducting these diagnostic trials can be extremely time consuming.”

What makes this even more challenging is that when a dog is constantly scratching, it’s not just a skin issue; it disrupts the entire family dynamic. The pet is uncomfortable, the owner is distressed, and the joy of that human-animal bond is diminished. Since allergic skin disease does not heal overnight, building trust and rapport with patients is essential.

“Another challenge I face is helping pet parents understand that atopic disease is a lifelong issue and while there’s no cure, we have good options to manage symptoms and prevent worsening or progression of the disease over time,” Dr. Griffin said.

Explaining the goals in managing atopic dermatitis is key. In her practice, Dr. Griffin lets pet owners know that they will control the pruritus with medications like Zenrelia during the diagnostic trials and when beginning immunotherapy for desensitization. “I never start immunotherapy without instituting some form of ‘anchor therapy’ to control the itching.”

It’s also crucial to understand the emotional turmoil both the pet and pet owner experience. The journey for an itchy pet and its owner is often an emotional roller coaster. There’s initial worry, then frustration if treatments are unsuccessful, and sometimes financial burden or lack of time for extensive treatment plans.

“Simplicity is key,” Dr. Griffin said. “Most pet owners prefer once-daily treatments over multiple pills per day, and cost-effectiveness is increasingly important since many owners need more affordable long-term options. Clear communication about treatment goals, combined with convenient treatment options, helps ensure better compliance and outcomes for itchy patients.”

Itchy emotions

The survey data revealed there are a lot of emotions tied to an itchy dog – 53% of itchy dog owners report feeling judged by someone in their community for having an itchy dog and 75% feel hopeless when their veterinarian is unable to treat their itchy dog.

Photo credit: istockphoto.com/MaRussya