Your pet may be suffering from hay fever, food and other allergies in the same way that some people do. Left undetected and untreated, that makes one very distressed pet. How do you know if your (furry four-legged) companion is suffering?

The most common allergy symptoms in pets are sneezing and itchy skin which can lead to excessive licking, scratching or pulling clumps of hair from their coats.

In flea endemic areas found in temperate regions, up to 80% of all allergic skin disease in dogs and cats is due to fleas.

The incidence of flea allergy increases in the spring and summer months, and if an animal is allergic to fleas, one bite may cause itching for up to three weeks.

Determining the cause of itchy skin conditions in pets is not easy as some foods can also trigger allergies and skin disorders so a good diet is paramount to prevention.

If your pet is always scratching, or showing abnormal behavior that suggests irritation or discomfort, perhaps it's time to schedule a visit to the vet.