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Forty percent of dogs suffer from allergies every day. They wake up in the morning itching, and this continues non-stop for the entire day. They’re miserable and have no way of telling us. It’s up to us to pay attention and get them the help they need.
Working with your vet, it should be possible to alleviate the annoyance of dog allergies for your pet. Your dog can live the remainder of her life free from allergies. You will be able to spend more quality time together knowing that your dog is comfortable in her own skin.
Common symptoms of dog allergies include:
- Frequent scratching and licking
- Rubbing face on carpet, or just about any rough surface
- Itchy ears or recurring ear infections
- Itchy eyes
- Sneezing
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
If they aren’t stopped, dog allergies can lead to serious health problems like recurring ear infections and dog hot spots. These can not only cause your dog serious pain, but also be very expensive to treat. (Trust me on this one, I’ve been there and spent thousands.)
Dog allergies normally start when a dog is one to three years old. However, there are a few cases where dog allergies can start as late as six to eight years. In our case, our Labrador Retriever started showing signs of allergy symptoms not long after turning one year.
What Type of Dog Allergies Does Your Pet Have?
Whenever you are trying to find the cause of dog allergies, it is always important to seek the assistance of a veterinarian. They can help you determine the type of allergies your dog has.
Since fleas can be relatively easy to find, I usually start here.
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1. Dog Flea Allergies
Flea allergies are the most common type of dog allergies. When a flea bites your dog, it leaves a small amount of saliva on the dog’s skin. This is what the dog is allergic to. Fleas can be difficult to get rid of. A female flea can lay 600 eggs over the course of her life, according to Dr. Steve Wagner, former president of California Veterinary Association.
Have you seen any fleas on your dog? If you have seen one flea, odds are good that there are several more lurking. It is important to get your dog on a flea treatment as soon as possible.
Once the eggs are laid, they can wait an entire year for a host to approach and then emerge to drink their blood. Click the following link to see what I have used to effectively fight fleas in Florida where fleas can live year-round and thrive in the high humidity.
==> Click here for help with flea allergies <==
2. Dog Inhalant Allergies (Atopy)
Some of the common allergens include:
• Cigarette smoke
• Cleaning products
• Dander
• Dust
• Dust mites
• Fabrics, such as nylon or wool
• Feathers
• Insecticidal shampoo
• Mold spores
• Plastic
• Pollens, such as grass, trees, and weeds
• Perfumes
• Rubber
In the case of inhalant allergies, one place to start is to use a process of elimination. This will help you determine some of the items your dog may be allergic to. In some cases, it may be possible to avoid the allergen once it has been identified. In the case of a seasonal allergen, it may be possible to use a method listed below to temporarily keep your dog from itching until it passes.
First, your dog may be allergic to some of the same things you are. If you are having an allergic reaction to some new pollen in your back yard, it’s a possibility that your dog is too.
One of the first things I like to do, especially in the spring and fall, is check the pollen count. Tree pollens usually occur earlier in the spring followed by grass.
Your vet may be able to recommend a medicine or supplement to provide your dog some temporary relief, the pollen may pass in a few weeks and the allergy may go away on its own. What happens if the allergy does not go away in a month or so? Perhaps you are dealing with a year-round allergy.
Did you know that your dog may be allergic to his toys? Plastic and rubber are two of the common dog allergens, so don’t rule out this possibility.
Avoidance may be possible, if it is something that you can keep your dog away from. If not, you can work with your veterinarian using allergy tests to determine exactly what the allergen is and the best methods to deal with it.
3. Dog Food Allergies
Dog food allergies occur in around 15% of dogs, making them the third most-common type of dog allergy. Unlike what some dog food vendors may tell you, there is no “perfect food”. However, there are certain avoidance techniques that you can use to find out which foods your dog is allergic to.
==> Click here for help with dog food allergies <==
Essential Fatty Acids
Essential Fatty Acids (i.e. Omega 3) has been recommended by veterinarians for years. They have been proven to be effective for some dogs with allergies. In addition to this, they can help improve the quality of your dog’s coat.
==> Click here for more information about essential fatty acids for dogs <==
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Research:
Berkeley Parents Network – Allergic Dog
The information and products on this website are for educational purposes only and not intended to diagnose allergies. Please consult a veterinarian for professional assistance.
Allergy season must be rolling around I’m starting to see lots of articles about dog allergies.
My dog has had dog skin allergies for the past few years and it seems to show up right around this time every year. Our vet thinks it’s probably related to fleas, but has also considered other possibilities.
One thing that was recommended to us by my aunt was to try rinsing our dog with a home remedy that included equal parts water and vinegar. Have you ever heard of this?
Anyhow, I’m interested to read tomorrows article on dog flea allergies.
Thanks!
.-= Colby´s last blog ..Is My Dog Trying To Manipulate Me? =-.
@Colby
I have heard of home remedies using vinegar and water, but I’ve never used them. Perhaps that would be a good future article. : )
of course, this is good article for Dog Skin Allergies. every people that have dogs should read it , even comply with these instruction.
but i always think why dog has not runny nose? as everyone know, runny nose is usual for each people, even each year.
Some interesting stuff here. I honestly didn’t know that dog allergies differed that much in terms of symptoms. I know allergies are a pain in the butt for me, so it’s definitely worth knowing your stuff in order to take care of your dog’s case of allergies.
.-= Mid Calf Boots´s last blog ..Buy Boots Online – Shop And Save! =-.
A dog with a skin allergy can be difficult to handle from a pet owner’s perspective, as many dogs suffer from dry, itchy skin and rashes on a chronic basis. Other dogs suffer from rashes and skin abnormalities that arise literally overnight for no apparent reason.
A dog’s skin allergies can be difficult for owners to handle, but following these tips will enable owners to ease their dog’s itching, scratching, pain and discomfort.
Identifying the Irritant
Determining the cause of a dog’s skin allergy is vital to treating the problem, as exposure to the irritant must be limited or eliminated all together.
In many cases of a dog’s skin allergy that arises suddenly, the discomfort is the result of contact dermatitis; an allergic reaction involving the skin that arises from contact with an irritant, such as a shampoo, a spray that’s applied directly to the dog’s coat or skin. Other irritants can include residue from certain plants or household cleaners and chemicals (like carpet powder or laundry detergent). Insects and parasites can also trigger reactions. If a dog happens to be allergic to fleas, a flea bite will cause much more than just the normal itchy spot – a large rash can result.
More chronic and less sudden causes of allergic reactions involving a dog’s skin include medications or foods (or food ingredients). Certain medical conditions and diseases can also create symptoms similar to an allergy. Thyroid disease and fungal infections are among the most common situations involving skin irritation and hair loss that can be mistaken for an allergy.
Read more at Suite101: Dog Skin Allergy Treatment: Help for a Dog’s Rashes, Hives, Dryness and Itching
@Colby
I have tried the water and vinegar solution in the past and must admit I didnt have too much success. I only did it once though and gave up so maybe it would have worked if I had stuck with it. Would be interested to hear if anyone has had any success with it
If your dog spends a great deal of time outdoors, he may be manifesting dry, itchy skin due to an allergic reaction to various plants or grasses in your yard.Unfortunately, dogs can potentially be allergic to a variety of ornamental plants and grasses as well as mold.
.-= sell your property´s last blog ..Ideal listing agent =-.
I’ve read that a lot of mange goes undetected and misdiagnosed as “allergies.” We’ve had success with one of our clients who used “Revolution” (it’s like Frontline or Advantage) … but has something additional for mange. There is a type of mange that goes undetected, even after taking a skin scraping 90% of the time.
- Adam
http://www.dogproblems.com
@Dog Training
Thanks for the tip. I’ll do some research and perhaps do an article.
Certain medical conditions and diseases can also create symptoms similar to an allergy. Thyroid disease and fungal infections are among the most common situations involving skin irritation and hair loss that can be mistaken for an allergy
.-= Jameson´s last blog ..News Release 4 =-.
@Jameson
Good point. Its always important to get your vet’s opinion when it comes to allergies.
Nice tips for dog lovers. I wonder if there is side effect on steroid being inject to dogs.
@car hire
Yes, steroids can have detrimental effects over time. That’s why its not a good long term solution.
So dogs take antihistamines too. Makes me amazed enough to know that they are almost like human beings. So cool.
One thing is to really to try to find out against what your dog is allergic. Often it is the food. You also can have cross-combination allergies where an allergic reaction only occurs when at least two allergens are present, one of it often found in the food. I always used to make my own dog food and apart of one dog which I “inherited” with allergies, mine never had any problems. We have a saying in our family that goes like this: “What you invest in dog food, you save in vet bills”, SY
.-= hospitalera@Home, Garden and Westies´s last blog ..Improvements on Ceramic Sinks =-.
@SY
“What you invest in dog food, you save in vet bills” – SY
I love that quote and its so true. Cheap dog food has other “side effects” too, like how much you have to shovel in the back yard after they’re done. : )
Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for the information…now I can be careful and know what to do if my dog has any allergy
My dogie is suffering from skin itchy and some hair falls. I decided to try some dog shampoo to prevent it, and an associate of mine recommend me to some veterinarian.
Don’t let your dog scratch itself when it has skin allergies or it may damage the skin.
Supplement your dog’s diet with flaxseed oil to strengthen his skin’s immunity to contact irritants. Dr. Autumn Drouin, DVM, author of “The Allergy Cover-Up,” suggests the essential fatty acids in flaxseed oil and salmon oil might reduce the effect of an allergic reaction.
@sydney
I agree, flaxseed oil is another good way to get essential fatty acids.
Bathe your dog once a month or as needed. Your dog does not need a daily or weekly bath. Frequent baths can dry out a dog’s skin and coat.
My old dog was allergic to his collar. It was not just a nuisance as we first thought, as it caused a skin rash. By changing the collars we were all happy.
Very interesting. What type of collar was it?
My labrador have no come across allergy. but if it happen.i must take drug as the first choice.
A unluck thing is that my dog has lice.
Atopic dermatitis is common and usually not serious, but should be treated. This usually results in goopy eyes and itchy dog skin. There are topical and ingestable medications to help ease atopic dermatitis in dogs.
i think our dogs are having allergies…better go to the veterinarian today.
.-= rescue dog stories´s last blog ..Treasures: Rescue Dog Stories =-.
I think it is important to watch your dogs closely for this reason. What might seem like normal behavior for a dog is actually them in pain. Nobody wants to make their pets suffer for no reason.
I know people can get allergies from dogs, never really thought about dogs having allergies themselves.
Bacterial allergy in dogs is related to skin diseases in dogs. It is a very type of bacteria exiting everywhere, but in small amounts. If your dog is allergic to bacteria, you need to take certain care.
My dogs never had any kind of allergy, it just happened with my neighbor dog. He had an allergy and he thinks it was due to an insect bite. A anti-allergy shampoo did the trick to cure him.
Is it possible dogs can be allergic to the stuff lawn services spray on the grass?? I noticed my dog pawing at his ears after playing in my neighbors lawn. I found out their service had been out earlier in the week.
.-= Dog Kennel Accessories´s last blog ..How To Complete The Basket Boarding Transfer =-.
I’m not familiar with what chemicals pest control professionals use. You may way to ask them for a list and then take that to your vet.
My pup is suffering from a sort of allergies, I don’t know. I haven’t gone to his vet. I just wish that its that not crucial as i think it would be. Thanks for sharing some advices, I really appreciated it.
.-= Cat Health Problems´s last blog ..Is your cat feeding schedule a healthy one? =-.
My dashound scratches, chews and licks constantly. I can’t afford hundreds of dollars in allergy bloodwork. We have tried the food changes, atopica, skin eeze with 0 results.
@sydney
What about fleas?
Thanks for such nice info related to dog allergies. My dog was suffering with itching and tried Steroids with the help of injection. I got great result and now he’s completely out of it.
This is the best information on the entire internet. My little dog is allergic to grass and has an itchy belly most of the year. I try oatmeal baths, witch hazel and now green tea and acai berry tea mixture as an astringent to alleviate her itchiness. I want to use natural ingredients so she does not lick them off her skin.
You should immediately contact your doctor. Allergies can be very dangerous.
Dog topics are really interesting for enthusiasts and dog lovers like me.
Well, allergies should be taken into considerate when raising dogs.
All people what have dogs and cats does have any allergies! please believe me~!
Just letting everyone know, if your dog has allergies, or even a bad cut, get a product called “Nu-Stock”. I’m telling you, its like a miracle medication! You can buy it online or maybe at your local feed store for cattle & horses. Its a sulfer based product and it has a “pine-sol” kinda smell to it. WORKS WONDERS!!!
My maltese/pug cross scratches and licks constantly. We have tried the food changes, oatmeal shampoo and conditioner, atopica, steroids, antihistamines, with 0 results. It has cost me $100 each month during the last 15 months in vet bills, trying to find some kind of solution. It is just so sad to see him turning himself inside out trying to scratch, nibble and lick the areas that are causing the most grief. He now has a liver problem from the over use of steroids. His itching seems to come from ‘inside’ him as he doesn’t get sores or dried skin. Does anyone have any ideas?