POV: Your dog has a terrible itch, and you always find them licking and chewing the itch with no relief. Why are they itching so much? Itchiness, or pruritis, is a very common problem in dogs. It can be caused by a number of factors, and allergies can be one of them. Depending on the type of allergies, certain prescription medications or treatments can be prescribed by a veterinarian to help alleviate symptoms that come with allergies. Some medications usually prescribed for relieving itch include steroids, antihistamines, and medicated topical solutions like shampoos, creams, and sprays. These are the usual medications and treatments that are thought about when we think of itch, but there’s another option that you may not know about. Introducing Apoquel and Apoquel Chewable.

What is Apoquel & Apoquel Chewable?

Apoquel, oclacitinib, is a prescription medication for dogs that helps control itching from allergies and other skin conditions. Oclacitinib, the active ingredient in Apoquel, works by blocking cytokines, which are the source of itching and inflammation in the body. In some dogs, it may provide relief in as little as 4 hours with complete relief in 24 hours. It may be used long-term for chronic skin issues or short-term to treat flare-ups in dogs that are at least 1 years old. This medication is generally well tolerated, and side effects are usually minimal but can occur. Apoquel has been on the market for a while, but the manufacturer recently released a chewable formulation. The chewable tablets are pork-liver flavored and some people have found it easier to administer the medication since they are flavored.

At VetRxDirect, we now supply both the tablet and chewable tablets! Before using this medication, it is recommended to speak with your veterinarian about your dog’s condition to see if Apoquel would be a good fit. 

The month of August is known as Itchy Pet Awareness Month, which aims to promote dog and cat skin health and your pet’s health and happiness. While commonly overlooked, itching is a medical condition that requires a proper diagnosis to effectively treat the true cause of the itch. Learn more about Itchy Pet Awareness and Solutions on our other blog!

About the Author

This article was written by VetRxDirect pharmacy intern Jennifer.

My cats’ names are Butters (orange) and Luna (gray). They are both three years old and were from the same litter. Butters loves to sunbathe and Luna loves butt-pats and cuddles. – Jennifer, PharmD Candidate 2025, University of Iowa College of Pharmacy

This information is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease and is purely educational. Please seek advice from your pet’s veterinarian with any questions regarding your pet’s health.