Controlling That Hounding Itch - Treating Dog Allergies?
Man’s best friend can also share one of man’s worst enemies -
allergies. There is nothing as bad as a constant itch and constant
itching is even worse in dogs who cannot even share their misery
with you. If your dog is constantly scratching, has red, inflamed
skin or is losing his hair, he could have allergies.
There are three types of allergies in dogs - inhalant allergies,
food allergies and contact allergies. Inhalant allergies are the
most common and hardest to treat. Contact allergies are the least
common. Identifying what type of allergy your dog has is the first
step in treatment. Dog allergy treatment is effective over 90% of
the time.
Inhalant allergies occur when a dog inhales a substance he is
allergic to. This could be anything from dust mites to pollen
outside. Some people classify flea allergies in this category, but
it is not a true inhalant allergy. Inhalant allergies are often
seasonal. Some strategies to combat common inhalant allergies are
to not let your pet stay in the room as you vacuum, wash your pet’s
bedding at least weekly in hot water, don’t let your dog go into
tall grass and bathe him off after he goes outside. If your dog has
fleas, he should be treated with a flea medication. Even one flea
can make a dog with allergies miserable.
Food allergies occur when your dog is allergic to something he
eats. If your dog eats people food, you should eliminate this from
his diet. Then feed your dog one brand of quality food until you
find a brand he can tolerate. Special rice and potato dog food can
be purchased from your vet for the dog who has extreme food
allergies.
Contact allergies occur when your dog touches or lies against a
surface that has something on it he is allergic to. If your pet has
contact allergies, consider switching to baby shampoo for baths and
using a free and clear detergent to wash his bedding.
Supplementing your dog’s diet with fatty-3 omega acids and
biotin has been shown to improve the condition of their skin and
coat and reduce the symptoms of dog allergies. Your vet can also
prescribe steroids and special shampoos to reduce the itching and
inflammation of your dog’s skin. Finding an effective dog allergy
treatment helps your dog be healthier and happier.