Depending on the allergen identified as being the cause of a dog's problem, you could ask an owner to make allergen avoidance a major part of caring for their pet. Some allergens are easier to avoid than others, for example pollens get everywhere and can be very difficult, if not impossible, to avoid.

However, if the allergen is the house dust mite, pet owners could be advised to:

• Wash their dog's bedding regularly
• Wash soft furnishings regularly
• Prevent their dog from spending time in the bedroom (a favourite place for house dust mites)
• Vacuum frequently with a high efficiency particle air (HEPA) filter vacuum cleaner
• Use air dehydration and purification systems
• Use insecticides effective against house dust mites

In addition, ensure adequate flea control at all times, as flea bites could cause a flare to occur, particularly if the dog is allergic to flea bites.

Need help explaining all this to pet owners? Download this pet owner fact sheet that covers key information available on itchfreepet.com such as:

• An allergen locator
• A guide to adapting your home to prevent relapses
• Instructions to sign up for a Treatment Journal to monitor their dog's progress and track seasonal changes

In some cases, these measures may be sufficient to reduce a dog's exposure to allergens enough to prevent pruritus.

If a food allergy is causing a dog's atopic dermatitis, you may carry out a food elimination trial to find out which foods the dog is allergic to. Once identified, you can prevent flare-ups of atopic dermatitis by asking the owner to eliminate these from the dog's diet.