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.
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.
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.
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.
