As environmental allergens like pollens, dust mites and mould surge during Spring, dogs and cats with seasonal or environmental allergies often experience discomfort, but some breeds experience skin allergies more than others, according to PetSure.
Common allergens cause an inflammatory response that manifests primarily on the skin. Atopic dermatitis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, is often associated with skin allergies in pets.
PetSure claims data from the 2025 Pet Health Monitor Report reveals skin allergies and infections were the most claimed condition for dogs in 2024, and the third most claimed condition for cats. For dogs, the average cost of treatment was $667, while the highest treatment cost was just north of $21,000. For dogs aged 1-8 years, skin infections and allergies were the most claimed condition.*
Claims for skin infections and allergies generally start to climb in September, with the spring and summer months typically recording the highest claims volume. In January and October 2024, claims for skin infection and allergies (dermatitis) were up 33% and 21% respectively, compared to the month prior*.
PetSure Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), Dr Simone Maher, warns of common signs pet carers should watch out for.
“You might see an obvious increase in scratching, or more subtle signs like frequent rubbing of face, ears or back on carpet or grass.
Foot licking is also common. Apparent abnormalities like hair loss, red skin and sore or smelly ears indicate veterinary care is needed. Lameness might occur when pets have inflamed skin between their toes.
PetSure claims data shows some breeds have more claims for skin allergic disorders , including the British Bulldog and the West Highland White Terrier and for felines, it's the Devon Rex and the Sphynx.
Seasonal skin issues, by their very nature, often require recurrent treatment over a pet’s lifetime. While prevention is difficult unless the specific cause can be identified and removed, ensuring that skin health is optimised all year round can be helpful.
PetSure claims data shows some breeds have more claims for skin allergic disorders , including the British Bulldog and the West Highland White Terrier and for felines, it's the Devon Rex and the Sphynx.
Seasonal skin issues, by their very nature, often require recurrent treatment over a pet’s lifetime. While prevention is difficult unless the specific cause can be identified and removed, ensuring that skin health is optimised all year round can be helpful.
Some things that may assist include flea prophylaxis, a diet with adequate essential fatty acids and appropriate skin and coat care.”
Dog breeds most likely to claim for skin allergies - PetSure claims data, FY25**
Rank | Breed |
Prevalence
|
#1 | British Bulldog | 27% |
#2 | West Highland White Terrier | 21% |
#3 | Boxer | 21% |
#4 | French Bulldog | 21% |
#5 | Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 18% |
Prevalence is percentage of total number of unique claiming pets / total number of insured pets.
How to take care of your pet during allergy season:
~ Otherwise, VetChat is available to all pet parents for a small fee.
“Most dogs respond favourably to the immunotherapy within 18 months,” Fleta says. “It’s been 12 months for Dusty so far, so we’ll soon know if there are results.”
Despite the regular treatment, Dusty is grateful for his owner’s diligence and keen eye.
“It’s important for pet owners to recognise allergies are common,” Fleta says. “It was disrupting his sleep – and ours – and he was very uncomfortable. It wasn’t until we got it under control that we realised just how bad it had been.”
The treatment would have been prohibitively expensive without Fleta’s pet insurance policy, which reimbursed most of the associated costs.
“We got pet insurance [gold cover/comprehensive with routine care] when Dusty was nine months old,” she says. “I’d done my research and read a lot about self-insurance as a potential option, but when I did the sums it seemed worthwhile.”
Just over a month after purchasing the policy, Dusty dug up a mouldy pig’s ear and was left in need of veterinary attention.
“That was great timing,” Fleta laughs. “We’re around $8,000 ahead from having pet insurance. I wouldn’t go without it now. At worst, you pay a few premiums and don’t use it, but that’s a great outcome for your pet.”
Testimonials and customer experience may vary depending on individual circumstances. Claims are assessed subject to policy terms and conditions.
- Routine flea prevention: This involves regular measures to protect pets from flea infestations, and may include things like oral or topical treatments and environmental control.
- Review your pet’s diet: A healthy diet with adequate essential fatty acids is crucial to optimising skin health all-year round.
- Be diligent with skin and coat care: Regular care is key, including ensuring hair is kept free of knots and matting.
- Get expert advice: If you want to discuss a potential skin allergy or any aspect of your pet's health, consider a vet telehealth service like LiveVet, which connects you with an experienced Australian registered vet 24/7. LiveVet is available complimentary to policyholders through the myPetPass® rewards programme with participating brands administered by PetSure.
Local case study: How Fleta managed Dusty’s skin allergies
A birthday present from her partner changed Fleta’s life forever. That gift was Dusty, a Toy Cavoodle puppy.
“He’s our first-born child,” Fleta says. “And he’s a costly little member of the family.”
One year into Dusty’s life with Fleta, she noticed him licking and chewing his paws as Spring arrived.
“The vet said he had allergies, so we gave him a low dose of Claritin and that helped during the Spring season,” Fleta recalls. “But by the following year we were regularly at the vet.”
Finally referred to a dermatologist for specialist treatment, Dusty was tested for 72 common environmental allergens.
“He was allergic to more than 40 of them,” Fleta says. “And that made things very hard to manage because you can’t try to just avoid the allergen. He’s also allergic to animal proteins including chicken and beef, which makes feeding him challenging.”
Dusty began an immunotherapy program of desensitisation. This meant a three-weekly injection of a mild combination of his allergens to build up a tolerance, administered alongside other preventative measures such as anti-itch medication and foot baths after a walk.
“He’s our first-born child,” Fleta says. “And he’s a costly little member of the family.”
One year into Dusty’s life with Fleta, she noticed him licking and chewing his paws as Spring arrived.
“The vet said he had allergies, so we gave him a low dose of Claritin and that helped during the Spring season,” Fleta recalls. “But by the following year we were regularly at the vet.”
Finally referred to a dermatologist for specialist treatment, Dusty was tested for 72 common environmental allergens.
“He was allergic to more than 40 of them,” Fleta says. “And that made things very hard to manage because you can’t try to just avoid the allergen. He’s also allergic to animal proteins including chicken and beef, which makes feeding him challenging.”
Dusty began an immunotherapy program of desensitisation. This meant a three-weekly injection of a mild combination of his allergens to build up a tolerance, administered alongside other preventative measures such as anti-itch medication and foot baths after a walk.
Despite the regular treatment, Dusty is grateful for his owner’s diligence and keen eye.
“It’s important for pet owners to recognise allergies are common,” Fleta says. “It was disrupting his sleep – and ours – and he was very uncomfortable. It wasn’t until we got it under control that we realised just how bad it had been.”
The treatment would have been prohibitively expensive without Fleta’s pet insurance policy, which reimbursed most of the associated costs.
“We got pet insurance [gold cover/comprehensive with routine care] when Dusty was nine months old,” she says. “I’d done my research and read a lot about self-insurance as a potential option, but when I did the sums it seemed worthwhile.”
Just over a month after purchasing the policy, Dusty dug up a mouldy pig’s ear and was left in need of veterinary attention.
“That was great timing,” Fleta laughs. “We’re around $8,000 ahead from having pet insurance. I wouldn’t go without it now. At worst, you pay a few premiums and don’t use it, but that’s a great outcome for your pet.”
Testimonials and customer experience may vary depending on individual circumstances. Claims are assessed subject to policy terms and conditions.
References:
* 2024 PetSure claims data
~ 2024 PetSure claims data. Claims volumes for skin conditions – infection/allergy for dogs and cats.
** PetSure claims data for FY25, top breeds ranked by prevalence (percentage of claiming policies) – skin allergy
^ Average amount claimed per case – skin allergy
* 2024 PetSure claims data
~ 2024 PetSure claims data. Claims volumes for skin conditions – infection/allergy for dogs and cats.
** PetSure claims data for FY25, top breeds ranked by prevalence (percentage of claiming policies) – skin allergy
^ Average amount claimed per case – skin allergy
