Banfield Pet Hospital released its 2018 State of Pet Health Report, which explores the science behind skin allergies in pets and sheds light on flea, environmental and food allergies.
With food allergies in humans being reported at an all-time high, veterinarians are seeing pet owners become increasingly concerned about food allergies in their pets. However, according to the report, food allergies affect just 0.2 percent of dogs and 0.1 percent of cats, meaning other causes should be explored if food allergies are suspected. In fact, pets can be allergic to fleas, and this allergy has been on the rise over the past 10 years, including a 12 percent increase in dogs and a 67 percent increase in cats. Environmental allergies are also on an upward trend, with a more than 30 percent increase in dogs and 11 percent increase in cats over the last decade.
"At Banfield, we're deeply invested in partnering with our clients to help keep pets happy and comfortable – and that includes getting to the bottom of signs to uncover accurate diagnoses," said Dr. Daniel Aja, senior vice president and chief medical officer at Banfield Pet Hospital. "With thousands of itchy pets coming through our doors each year, Banfield's 2018 State of Pet Health Report aims to uncover the common causes and offer pet owners the tools they need to help their pets find relief."
Key findings from Banfield's 2018 State of Pet Health Report include:
The 2018 State of Pet Health Report captures medical data from the more than three million dogs and cats Banfield cared for in 2017.
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