There are many people who are allergic to dogs, but did you know that dogs can also have allergies?
Symptoms of dog allergies – eyes, ears, nose, and fleas
Allergies in our canine companions may show up as red, puffy, or irritated eyes, inflamed ears, a runny nose, or as an overreaction to fleas (atopic dermatitis).
Fleas are a common problem that we often overlook, but some dogs seem to have more of a problem with them than others, and allergies are often the reason why. If your dog is scratching too much or if their skin seems more irritated by fleas than the average dog, that may be a sign of an allergy (cats can also have this problem with fleas).
Causes of dog allergies
Allergies in dogs can usually be attributed to one of two things – food or environmental factors.
There may be an ingredient in their current dog food that does not agree with them, or it could be something outside such as pollen or in the home environment such as perfumes, deodorizers, paints, or even the plastic material their food bowl is made from.
Luckily, there are some things that you can do to help your doggie feel better.
Reduce allergens in the house
Limiting exposure to allergens in the ideal solution if it is possible. Change or eliminate indoor perfumes and sprays, vacuum or dust to remove any excess allergens in the air and on surfaces, and switch out that plastic bowl with a ceramic one.
Try different foods
Try changing Fido’s food. Not all brands have the same ingredients. Common food allergens for dogs may include egg, wheat (found in many brands of dog food), and dairy. If eliminating those doesn’t do any good, consider changing the type of meat as well.
Try natural remedies
1800Remedies suggests making an apple cider vinegar spray of 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and 2 cups of vinegar in a spray bottle. Make sure that the ingredients are mixed well and apply it to any affected areas 3-4 times per day.
They also suggest another spray made with chamomile tea. Make tea using 2-3 chamomile tea bags, add it to 2 cups of water, put it in a spray bottle and shake. Make sure the water has cooled first before spraying it on itchy skin twice a day.
You can also give your dog an oatmeal bath by adding 1 cup of oatmeal to their bathwater. This may help to reduce itching and will promote healing.
If at-home remedies fail, a visit to the vet may be what your pet needs.
Get your dog an allergy test
Many vets can do an allergy test to help determine which allergen is responsible. Knowing what the cause is can make it a whole lot easier to prevent.
Try medications
If all else fails, vets are accustomed to dealing with allergies in pets and will have a multitude of solutions and medications to offer depending on the type of allergy and severity. The most important thing is making sure that your dog is happy and healthy.
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