My Dog Has Allergies

You may not think that your dog could be affected by allergies, but at the same time you may see certain signs that make you stop and think, “my dog has allergies”. For us, it seems like there can be an allergic reaction to almost anything you can think of. You name it and someone is allergic to it.

For example:

• pollen
• dust
• food
• latex
• nuts
• seafood

Yet we do not think about our dogs as suffering from the same discomfort that allergies can bring. But dogs can develop allergic reactions just like humans do. They cannot tell us when they are itching, but we see them scratching. They cannot tell us when they are developing a skin infection, but you see them licking themselves. So it is up to you to learn how to look for the signs that a problem may be developing, and that your dog may have an allergic reaction to something in her environment.

Your dog’s allergies may present itself in various ways. She may scratch or lick, or she may vomit and have diarrhea. When you see symptoms of dog allergies like these, you can investigate further to see if something is really triggering a reaction, or perhaps it is only a temporary irritation that will pass.

Dog allergies are similar to human allergies in that some allergies are passed down from parent to offspring. Your dog can suffer from a variety of allergies. The most common are:

• food and protein allergies
• seasonal allergies (pollen)
• skin allergies
• allergies to fleas and mites

The good news is that they are all treatable with a variety of remedies. Food allergies may require a change in diet. Skin allergies may require some type of topical medication. Allergies to environmental factors may require you to make certain changes to things your dog interacts with. You can also explore natural allergy remedies as well.

So, if you think your dog has allergies, schedule and appointment with your vet. The vet will able to perform certain tests to determine the cause of the allergic reaction and the specific type of allergen that is affecting your dog.  You can also discuss an effective course of action and possible treatment options.

The key to identifying any potential problems with allergies is to understand your dog’s behavior. Knowing what is “normal behavior” for your dog will allow you to better decide if she may be showing signs of a problem. There are many symptoms that you can look out for, but there are no set rules to determine if your dog is allergic to something.

So join me as I explore the topic of dog allergies, and next time, you can say, “I know my dog has allergies”.

Dogs and Allergies is a series of articles discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of dog allergies. Move on to the next article, Common Dog Allergies.

Best,

Omar Reyes

Follow along with the series by signing up for the RSS Feed (Click Here). If you prefer, enter your name and email in the form below to receive a weekly update. You will also receive the Dog Care Handbook as your special gift .