Vet Guide to Contact Dermatitis in Dogs 2025 🐶🌿

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Contact dermatitis is an allergic or irritant skin reaction caused by direct contact with materials like plants, chemicals, grooming products, fabrics, or plastics. Though less common than food or environmental allergies, it causes intense itchiness, redness, scales, pustules and discomfort—especially in less-furred areas like paws, belly, muzzle, and groin.

⚠️ Common Triggers & Risk Factors

• Plants like grasses and groundcovers (e.g., kikuyu, buffalo grass).
• Home products: detergents, fertilizers, carpet cleaners, concrete, plastics, fabrics.
• Topical meds or grooming agents (e.g., shampoos with chlorhexidine, flea treatments).
• Bowls made of plastic or stainless steel, or ceramic may be safer.

👀 Signs & Symptoms

• Localized redness, swelling, and hair loss
• Scabs, scales or pustules develop over time.
• Itching, licking, and chewing at affected area
• May take hours to 48 hrs to appear after contact.

🔬 How It’s Diagnosed

• Historical correlation with exposure—new grass, product, or surface.
• Physical exam focuses on contact zones.
• Patch testing to confirm suspected allergens.
• Rule out infections or mites via skin scraping, culture, or biopsy.

💊 Treatment & Management

• Remove or avoid the identified contact allergen.
• Topical therapy: soothing shampoos, creams, cool compresses.
• Medications: antihistamines, corticosteroids, Apoquel or Cytopoint for itch control.
• Antibiotics if a secondary bacterial infection develops.

🛡️ Prevention Tips

• Wash paws and belly after outdoor exposure to grass or chemicals.
• Choose inert materials—ceramic bowls, fragrance-free detergents.
• Test new grooming products on small areas before full use.
• Patch test suspected products before repeat exposure.

📈 Prognosis

• Usually resolves within 7–10 days of allergen removal and treatment.
• Recurrence is likely if exposure repeats; lifelong management may be needed.

✅ Vet Tips by Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

• 📅 Keep a diary to track sources and timing of flare-ups.
• 🧴 Introduce new products one at a time.
• 🩺 Follow up if symptoms persist beyond 10 days—secondary infection or other dermatitis form may be involved.
• 🏡 Maintain a clean, hypoallergenic home environment to reduce repeated triggers.

If your dog shows intense scratching, localized redness, or scabs on paws, belly, muzzle or groin—especially after contact with a lawn, rug, shampoo, or plastic—use the AskAVet.com app for expert advice.🐾❤️