Allergies are one of the most frustrating and costly conditions to manage in pets. If your dog or cat is constantly scratching, licking their paws, or suffering from recurrent ear infections, your vet may recommend allergy testing. Here is what it costs and whether it is worth it.

Average Allergy Testing Costs

  • Serum (blood) allergy test: £200 to £350
  • Intradermal skin test: £300 to £600 (usually requires referral to a dermatologist)
  • Food elimination trial (vet-guided): £50 to £150 (cost of prescription diet over 8–12 weeks)
  • Dermatology specialist consultation: £150 to £350 (on top of test costs)

Blood tests can be performed at most general practices. Intradermal skin testing is considered the gold standard but requires sedation and is usually performed by a veterinary dermatologist at a referral centre.

What Affects the Price

Type of Test

Blood tests (serological IgE testing) are simpler and cheaper but are considered less reliable than intradermal testing. Intradermal skin tests involve injecting tiny amounts of allergens into the skin and observing reactions, requiring specialist training and equipment.

Number of Allergens Tested

Both blood and skin tests typically screen for 40–80 environmental allergens (grasses, trees, moulds, dust mites, storage mites). More comprehensive panels cost more. Some labs offer food allergen panels as an add-on for £50–£100, though their reliability for food allergies is debated.

Referral Costs

If your pet is referred to a veterinary dermatologist, the specialist consultation fee adds £150–£350 on top of the test itself. However, a dermatologist may identify the problem more quickly, potentially saving money in the long run.

Follow-Up Treatment

The test itself is only the beginning. If allergens are identified, immunotherapy (desensitisation injections or sublingual drops) costs £50–£80 per month ongoing. This is a long-term commitment, typically for life.

Blood Test vs Skin Test

The veterinary dermatology community generally considers intradermal skin testing more reliable for environmental allergies. Blood tests are convenient and can be done at your regular vet, but false positives are more common. For the best results:

  • Intradermal testing should be performed when the pet has been off antihistamines for 2 weeks and off steroids for 6–8 weeks
  • Blood tests are less affected by medication but are still best done when the pet is not on immunosuppressive drugs

How to Save

  • Start with a food trial: Before spending on allergy tests, your vet may recommend an 8–12 week elimination diet trial to rule out food allergies. This is cheaper than testing and is the only reliable way to diagnose food allergies.
  • Pet insurance: Most comprehensive policies cover allergy testing and ongoing treatment. Check for any exclusions around chronic or pre-existing skin conditions.
  • Ask about blood tests first: If a referral is not immediately necessary, a blood test at your regular vet can provide useful initial information at a lower cost.
  • Compare dermatology referral centres: Prices vary between referral centres. Your vet can refer you to any centre, not just the closest one.

A note of caution: avoid unregulated mail-order allergy tests sold online (often using hair or saliva samples). These have no scientific basis and are not endorsed by any veterinary body.

Last updated: March 2026. Sources: British Veterinary Dermatology Study Group, VetCost practice data.