A dog or cat that keeps scratching, licking its paws or shaking its head for more than a few days should see a vet, because allergies, fleas and skin infections look alike and need different treatment. Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Concord is a vet clinic in Concord, North Carolina, that offers allergy testing and treatment for dogs and cats, starting with an exam that rules out the common causes of itch.
Call (980) 360-2922 or book online.
Itch season in Concord
Local seasons shape the itch calendar. Tree pollen in the Charlotte area can start as early as February, grass pollen runs from about April to September, and ragweed starts in mid-August and can last into early winter. Across Petfolk's Charlotte-area clinics, itchy skin is behind about 1 in 8 sick visits, rising to about 14% from June to September versus 11% from December to February (October 2025 to September 2026). A dog that itches from spring through fall may react to more than one thing.
Fleas cause itching all year, and a few bites can set off a strong reaction in a flea-allergic pet. The Companion Animal Parasite Council recommends year-round flea protection for dogs and cats.
Which itching can wait, and which needs a visit?
Mild scratching after a bath, a new shampoo or a romp through tall grass can usually be watched for a few days. Wipe paws with a damp cloth after walks in heavy pollen weeks and see whether it settles. Book a visit at Petfolk Concord for:
scratching or chewing that wakes you at night;
red, moist or crusty patches, bald spots, or a smell from the skin or ears;
head shaking or red ears (the ear infection page covers that);
itching that returns every spring or fall;
loose stool or vomiting along with itchy skin, which can point to a food allergy.
How does the vet find the cause of an allergy?
No single test says "your pet is allergic to X," so the Petfolk Concord vet works through the common causes in order. Gentle Handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic, so an itchy, sore pet is examined calmly.
Rule out parasites. Fleas and mites come first, because they are common and easy to treat.
Treat infection. A skin sample under the microscope shows whether bacteria or yeast are overgrowing.
Try a diet trial for food allergy. Your pet eats only a prescription or novel-protein diet for about eight weeks. Blood and hair tests sold online are not reliable for food allergy.
Look at environmental allergy. If the pattern points to pollen, mold or dust mites, testing helps choose a treatment. It doesn't make the diagnosis on its own.
You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.
Managed, not cured
Most allergic pets do best with a mix of approaches, adjusted over time. At Petfolk Concord, nearly 1 in 4 itchy-skin visits (24%) went home with fast-acting itch relief, an injection or a tablet (October 2025 to September 2026). Longer-term plans can include medicated baths or wipes, allergy shots or drops, a diet change for a confirmed food allergy, and omega-3 fatty acids for the skin barrier. Which of these fit your pet, and what the clinic can supply, depends on the cause, so ask the team at your visit.
For skin problems that aren't allergic, such as hot spots or growths, see the skin conditions page.
Took one of my pups here today due to some allergy issues, and the staff were absolutely phenomenal. Donna K., Google review
When is an allergic reaction an emergency?
Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital now for swelling of the face, lips or eyes that is getting worse, hives with vomiting or weakness, trouble breathing, collapse or pale gums. These can follow a sting or a new medicine. Petfolk Concord is open 8 AM to 6 PM, seven days a week, and doesn't provide overnight care.
Allergy help near Cox Mill
Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Concord is at 2425 Herrons Nest Pl NW, Suite 100, Concord, NC 28027, close to Cox Mill. The clinic accepts all major pet insurance. Call (980) 360-2922 or book online.
Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Concord, or see all veterinary services in Concord.
Allergy questions from Concord pet parents
Our Concord clinic, close to Cox Mill