When animal allergies are suspected, a medical history and a list of symptoms will be taken. A physical examination will also be performed.

In addition, an allergy skin test may be performed to help diagnose the child. This test involves introducing a small amount of an allergen to the patient’s skin to determine if the child is allergic to that allergen. If a rash or small bump develops, the child is most likely allergic to that substance. Physicians typically test for dander and/or epithelium (a type of tissue) first. If the test is negative, the physician may test for other allergens, such as saliva and urine.

Alternatively, a physician may order a blood allergy test. These tests look for the presence of allergy-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the bloodstream. The most commonly used blood test for allergy conditions is the radioallergosorbent test (RAST).