Posts Tagged ‘dogs and allergies’

Dog Allergies – How to Deal With Dog Allergies

Executive Summary about Dog Allergies by Allen MacAlister

Dog allergies are not always immediately noticeable. The thing is, many dog owners are not aware that dog allergies exist. However, dog allergies not only exist but they are common. In North America, dog allergies have risen dramatically over the past few decades.

I remember when I was a teenager, one day I was looking at my pooch and she was scratching, licking, and biting herself. She began doing this fairly often. Well, I knew something was wrong. My first thought was to grab the flea powder thinking she had a flea infestation. But the power did no good. There were no fleas. I soon found out that my dog pets had the classic signs of dog allergies.

Dog allergies can be tricky. At times the allergen will be something the dog touches. However, the offending allergen can also be something the dog breathes or eats. The list of items that can be allergens is endless. It can be anything. However, it is always something within the dog’s environment, neighborhood, or in the dog ’s food bowl. This makes dog allergies a thorny problem to solve.

We never found out the exact source of her allergy. My mother had me wash everything my dog normally touched, including her bed, her toys, and her rug. I also washed the dog with a medicated dog shampoo to soothe her skin. This is never bad advice.

Surprisingly, in many cases (but not mine), the source of the dog allergies is in the dog food! The skin is a marvellous organ of the body, whether on a human or a dog. The skin “breathes” in substances and it releases toxins from inside the body. Some of these toxins can easily be impurities found in dry dog food. Yes, you heard me right– dry dog food!

This sometimes occurs when the dog food is inappropriate for the species of dog. Some species are sensitive to the additives in their food. A dog on an inappropriate diet of dry dog food may tolerate his/her chow for a time, maybe for years, then one day that comes to an end and the dog’s body becomes intolerant. In this scenario, the cure is easy. Change the dog food. An appropriate diet will make the dog improve quickly.

Please remember that it is important to feed your dog breeds -appropriate food. Literature on dogs or your veterinarian can tell you if the dog food you are using is appropriate.

However, just as often, the cause of dog allergies can be found in the dog’s environment. Wash everything, including the dog bed. Use a good medicated dog shampoo. In some cases that is all that needs to be done. If that doesn’t do the trick within a few days, then look elsewhere. Be aware that dog allergies will often develop into skin infections. These are potentially dangerous if they are untreated so they must be properly cared for.

Allergies are never a pleasant experience for humans or for dogs. I hope this article on dog allergies has provided some understanding.

Note: This information on dog allergies is for general information only. It is not intended to replace the advice of your veterinarian.

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