Atopic dermatitis is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease in dogs, causing persistent itch, pain, and significant reduction in quality of life.
The welfare burden of atopic dermatitis is profound and often underestimated. Chronic pruritus (itch) is one of the most distressing sensory experiences — studies in humans show persistent itch ranks alongside chronic pain in impact on wellbeing. Dogs cannot communicate their suffering verbally, and owners often underestimate severity until prompted by validated itch-scoring tools such as the PVAS or CADESI. Secondary skin infections (pyoderma, Malassezia) cause additional pain. The cyclical nature of flares — with partial improvement followed by relapse — produces prolonged cumulative suffering. Undermanaged cases constitute a significant animal welfare concern.