Dogs have to deal with different health problems throughout their lifespans. However, no health problem will trouble the dog or its parent more than allergies.
Dog allergies are the worst. Your dog is unhappy, it is continuously itching itself, and you might end up getting allergies from them too. So, to prepare yourself for such a situation, you need to know everything about dog allergies and how you can deal with them.
Allergy Testing Is Not Always Necessary
Before signing up for allergy testing, weigh the pros and cons.
Allergy testing can be expensive and time-consuming. It can also be emotionally draining for both your dog and you. If your dog’s symptoms are mild and not recurrent, it may not be worth the hassle to get them tested. On the other hand, if they cause problems daily or happen every season of the year, it might be worth getting tested.
Test your dog’s allergies by eliminating certain foods from their diet or changing their shampoo or bedding material. Keep notes on which ones seem to alleviate symptoms. That way, if you do decide to try an allergen-specific treatment, you will have some idea of which allergies it is most likely suffering from.
Most Dogs Have Skin Allergies
Itching is common in dogs. However, do not ignore it as a casual behavior from your pooch. Dogs itch themselves when there is something wrong. Frequent itching might mean that they have a skin allergy.
Pests and different types of foods can cause these allergies. What is important is that you do not ignore them.
Most Common Dog Allergies
The most common dog allergies are flea allergies and environmental and food allergies.
Flea allergies cause itching and scratching. It is the result of a flea infestation either in your dog’s coat or its bedding. The infestation can be elsewhere too, and your dog might have picked up a few fleas from that particular place.
Environmental allergies are caused by pollen, dust mites, and mold. These allergies are usually seasonal. They occur when the number of pollen increases in the air.
Food allergies can be caused by certain foods such as beef, dairy products, or corn. The most common ingredients that trigger food-based canine allergy symptoms include beef liver, chicken liver, and wheat gluten. However, there are many other ingredients in pet food that can trigger an allergic reaction if your dog has a sensitivity to them. Consult with a vet before changing your dog’s diet.
Allergies Are Treatable
There are many different types of treatment, and some work better than others. The most common treatments are topical. For example, allergy drops are placed in your dog’s eyes once or twice a day. Oral medications are also common; your vet will determine the dosage your dog needs for its allergies.
Some dogs need both topical and oral medications to manage their allergies. Some dogs may only need one type of allergy medication, while other dogs require two or more different types of medication concurrently for relief from their symptoms.
For any allergic skin disease, your vet will prescribe effective medications like Apoquel for you dog. Most dogs suffering from skin allergies have itchy skin and skin irritation. To deal with such skin conditions, allergy medications like Apoquel are a must. That is why you are likely to find this drug in your dog’s prescription medications.
Prevention Is the Best Cure
If you have a dog, you know that it is a lot of work. There is the regular cleaning up after your furry friend, and then there’s the grooming of their fur and the cleaning of their nails. Keeping track of all these can be super overwhelming. However, you must ensure all these if you want to prevent allergies in them.
There are some easy ways to prevent allergies in dogs.
Keep everything in your dog’s environment clean. That means washing the dishes daily, keeping the bedding fresh, sweeping up hairballs on the floor, and so on.
If your pup is shedding seasonally, make sure you have a plan for dealing with all that extra fur. That way, no one else gets sick from its presence around them either. Otherwise, the dust bunnies will build up quickly throughout other areas within your home. That will not only make your other pets sick but can also get you sick.
Dog allergies are bad, but they are treatable. Besides, with a bit of effort, you can easily prevent your dog from getting allergies in the first place.