Dog Allergy Symptoms Are A Warning Sign
Allergies don’t just affect humans, dog allergies are more common than you might think and can severely impact on the health of your dog. Dogs can be allergic to many things including fleas, chemicals, food ingredients, pollutants in the air and even their own fur. Finding out what is causing the allergy is better than simply doling out medication, which may have side effects. However this is easier said than done especially if your dog has more than one allergy.
Here are some dog allergy symptoms to watch for. Coughing, wheezing, a thin patchy coat, runny nose or eyes, lethargy and sneezing. How do we determine what is causing your particular dog’s allergy? And, more importantly, how do we det rid of it?
One of the main causes of allergies in dogs is fleas. However this is simple to eliminate. Simply buy one of the products on the market that eliminates fleas or ask your vet to recommend one. Make sure you apply it regularly as fleas can’t be eliminated by just one application.
Another common allergy in dogs can be found in their food. Dogs can be sensitive to chemicals in their food or to one or more of the ingredients. Some ingredients in dog food cause allergies more frequently than others. Among these are eggs, fish, beef, chicken, corn and wheat. Please note that corn is a serial offender and is often used in cheaper brands of dog food as a filler. Ask your vet what he recommends, or there are also hypoallergenic do foods available.
Your dog may even be allergic to his own fur. This is particularly common for long haired dogs. When your dog cleans himself his swallows a lot of hair and this can make the situation worse. Washing your dog once or twice a month and brushing him daily will go a long way to combat a hair and dander allergy.
Do you use chemical cleaners in your home? Dogs may be quite sensitive to these. Using chemical-free natural cleaners such as soda bicarbonate and lemon juice will improve the health of yourself and your dog and save money too. Another cause of allergens in the home may be mold. This can be tested for and eliminated which will improve the health of your whole family.
A natural way of providing fast relief from dog allergy symptoms such as itchy or flaky skin is to bathe your dog in water that has oatmeal dissolved in it. Natural shampoos containing eucalyptus, tea tree oil or aloe vera can also provide quick, temporary relief.
Mixing some omega 3 fish oil in with your dog’s food can dramatically improve skin conditions in some dogs. Evening primrose oil can have the same effect.
Anti histamines are a rapid answer to most allergies if nothing else works. They may make you dog lethargic during the day, but are a safer option than steroids.
If your dog has allergy symptoms, it means that something in his environment is upsetting him. Discovering the cause can be a challenge, but caring for a hypoallergenic dog is easy once the problem has been identified. If in doubt where to begin, a call to your vet will start you in the right direction.
