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Is a Dog Allergy
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Some studies show about 20% of dogs suffer from a dog allergy.
And if your friend is scratching and chewing himself to pieces, he may be suffering from one.
But to help him, you have to know what's wrong. And you have to know the symptoms.
Symptoms of a Dog Allergy
•loss of hair,
•dry, itchy skin
•ear inflammations
•chronic hot spots
•chewing on self
•poor coat
•stomach upset
Your dog could have one or more of these dog allergy symptoms signaling the possiblity of an allergy. So what next? Try to determine the type of allergy.
5 Types of Dog Allergies
Food Allergy
Your dog's food could her sick. Though many food allergies are gastro-intestinal,--you know, diarrhea, vomiting-- Jeff Wayman, DVM, says approximately 10 to 15% of all allergic skin diseases in dogs are caused by food allergies.
Some common food culprits for dog food allergies are
•corn
•wheat
•soy
•dairy
•oats
•beef, lamb or other meats
Corn and Wheat are often the culprits in a food allergy. These are often used as cheap fillers for pet food. And if your pet has been eating pounds per year of them, she may have developed an allergic reaction.
Check the label on your pet's food. If corn or wheat is listed as one of the first ingredients in the list, that means they are primary ingredients. Change the food and go for one with a high quality meat source as a primary ingredient. Look for one without corn or wheat and do a little test.
There are specialty foods that you can find for your pet too, specially formulated for food allergies like Hills z/d diet and Purina’s HA. Or you may want add raw meat to your pet's diet or move exclusively to feeding raw.
Many people report an amazing change in their pets once they determine the cause and get it out of the pet's environment. Diet is so important. For example, the Raw Diet is very popular for dogs with allergies.
If you change the food a couple of times and your pet is still scratching her leg off or having tummy issues, you may not have a food allergy on your hands.
Flea Allergy
One of the most common dog allergies is to fleas.
Actually, the dog isn’t allergic to the fleas, he’s allergic to the flea’s saliva.
Symptoms can be similar to food allergies, they include itching, redness and swelling.
But it’s the dog scratching himself that is likely to cause the hair loss and scratches to the skin rather than the allergy itself. Hot spots can also form, these are red, round patches where the fur has fallen out.
There is a skin allergy test that can test your dog (or cat) for a flea allergy. The dog will then need to be treated and the environment de-flea’ed. Easier said than done.
Anyone who has ever had to deal with fleas knows the challenge of thoroughly cleaning everything over and over. Including your pet. There is a line of dog grooming products called Flea Therapy that can help to dissuade the fleas from terrorizing your pup to begin with. And you can try
HomeoPet Flea Bite for those bites on your pet that are annoying him so.
Bacterial Allergy
Dogs have varying species of Staphylococcus (Staph) bacteria on them normally. Normally, this doesn’t cause a problem for the dog but occasionally, some will develop an allergy to it.
The symptom is commonly hair loss and develops patterns that look like ringworm. Infections will develop and this allergy needs to be treated with antibiotics.
Contact Allergy
Just like it sounds, this is a dog allergy that is caused by something touching the skin; fabrics like collars or bedding, topical medicines, and other items that come in contact with your dog’s skin can be the culprit.
Pets develop reddened, itchy skin and you may see small, pus-filled welts.
The treatment for this type of dog allergy is simple once you've determined the source. Get rid of the contact.
Inhalant
Your dog is breathing something that is making him sick. It could be dust or mold or something else.
Once you've eliminated some of these other causes, and your pet still seems sick, your vet can help you determine the cause and the solution to this problem.
Your Dog Doesn't Have to Suffer.
Allergies ARE treatable.Most dogs exhibit allergic symptoms if at all, when they’re young (up to four) so if your pup is older and you haven’t seen any symptoms, hopefully they’ve been spared this discomfort.
If you think your dog has a dog allergy, the hard part is diagnosing it. Luckily your vet can help. Once the diagnosis is made you can get rid of the offensive thing and help your pet have a happier allergy-free life!
A dog allergy can often be controlled with a diet change though you may need a medication. The first thing you have to do is get rid of the source.
A great book that specializes in natural health including dog allergies is
Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats
Good luck!
P.S. Please remember, this website is not meant to provide a diagnosis to your pet but merely to provide some general information. Jennifer April is not a veterinarian or other medical professional. Please see your medical professional for a professional opinion.
Does your dog have allergies? Do you have dog health insurance If your pet does not have veterinary pet insurance, you should consider purchasing some! Our website will allow you to find the best pet insurancefor your pet!
For More Information on a Dog Allergy to Wheat Please Click Here
