Similar to people, allergies in dogs and cats are managed and not cured. The dog and cat's body is hypersensitive to something and the reaction to that hypersensitivity is itching. Dogs and cats can be allergic to their food, flea bites, grass and pollen in their environment, or direct contact with certain compounds like laundry soap. The first step is to diagnose your dog's or cat's itching, scratching, and chewing as a skin allergy problem. The challenge for you and Dr. Pasternak is figuring out the causes and finding an effective treatment.