Dog Allergies are Real

Yes, you heard it right.  Dogs suffer from allergies just like us.  The studies find that about 20% of the dogs in the United States suffer from one allergy or another, with flea allergy dermatitis being the most common form of allergies in dogs.  Other types include atopic dermatitis, food allergies, and inhalant allergies.

Signs and Symptoms of Dog Allergies

Allergy reactions from dogs can consist of skin rashes, watery and itchy eyes, sneezing and a stuffy nose. More serious reactions are wheezing, asthma attacks and not being able to breathe deeply. These can be frightening reactions and choosing not to have a pet, for these reasons, out ways the benefits of having one. For dog lovers, who suffer with allergies, this is a hard fact to accept. The reason some people suffer from simple pet hair is because of their immune system. They are hypersensitive to the components found on the dog hair. Many people think it is the animal hair that causes the problem, but in reality it is what attaches itself to the pet hair. The dog’s hair picks up pollen and dust attaching itself to the hair follicle. With normal movements, the elements are distracted on whatever it comes across.  Hence, larger and longer haired dogs have a tendency to generate more allergens than smaller and shorter haired dogs Therefore, the bigger the dog, the more allergy components it will distract.

Possible Treatments for Dog Allergies

Over-the-counter preparations and treatments for common dog allergies exist and may be purchased at any good pet supply store, but care should be taken when choosing such treatments.  Consultation with a vet is the best first course of action for several reasons.  First of all, what you think is an allergic reaction may actually be signs of a more serious ailment and a vet should be the one to determine whether that is the case.  Secondly, if the allergy is severe enough, over-the-counter treatments may not be sufficient to treat the symptoms and a prescription strength treatment may be required.  There is also the chance that the dog does not have an allergy at all.  The last thing you want to do is medicate your pet unnecessarily.

If you do think your dog has some type of allergy, consult your vet.  The doctor will be able to perform tests to determine whether an allergic condition exists, how severe it is, and what the proper treatment will be.  If the dog has an allergy to certain foods, it will be imperative to restrict the animal’s diet to eliminate those items that cause a reaction.  The vet’s testing methods can help to determine whether this type of allergy exists as well.  If the dog has flea allergy dermatitis (an allergic reaction to the saliva of fleas, rather than to the insects themselves), an extreme flea prevention regimen will be recommended.

Just like humans, dogs that suffer from various allergies can live comfortably with them if they are detected and treated properly.  It is important to keep in mind that this is not a time to “play doctor” by attempting to diagnose and treat a possible allergic condition yourself.  Only your veterinarian is qualified to determine whether your dog is suffering from allergies and what course of action to take.