What Leads To Pet Allergies
Regrettably, this is not really true. Allergic reactions can be caused by other attributes of dogs as well. According to Dr. Ted Myatt of Environmental Health & Engineering, people experience allergic reactions when exposed to the pet allergens that have become airborne from the dried saliva and fur dander. It typically happens when children jump on the sofa, or we throw the dog bed somewhere by mistake.
Apart from dander and fur, people can have allergic reactions from the dogs slobber, poop, urine, and mucus. The microscopic particles of these byproducts hover in the air like pollens, and when someone inhales that air, they experience allergic reactions.
The above discussion follows that people can have allergies from other dog byproducts apart from the hair. Consequently, if you have pet allergies, you can experience reactions by remaining in close contact with non-shedding dogs as well.
How Much Do Labs Shed
Labradors are known for regularly shedding their coat. The amount of hair your dog will shed is unique to each dog and can also be affected by climate.
Most Labs shed some throughout the year and then shed a lot at least twice a year. There is usually about a three-week period in the spring where they will shed their heavy winter coat to prepare for the warm weather. This process repeats itself in the fall as they lose their thin summer coat and begin bulking up for the cold winter months. However, some Labs are known to shed heavily year-round. It often depends on the dog.
Labs have very dense hair as they have a double coat. The sleek out layer is waterproof. Labs love swimming and this waterproof coat serves them well. The undercoat is more coarse and denser to help keep them warm. The double coat makes them tolerant of many different temperatures and allows them to swim even in cold water. However, this wonderful, thick coat also means that they shed quite a lot.
A Note On Hypoallergenic Dog Food
Hypoallergenic dog foods are made with hydrolyzed proteins, which means the proteins are already broken down into pieces that are small enough that they wont trigger an immune response. Not all hypoallergenic dog foods work for all dogs, but it is definitely worth trying to see if it eliminates an allergic reaction in your dog.
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Do Dogs Ear Infections Get Better On Their Own
It can be tempting to leave what seems to be a relatively minor problem, and to wait and see if it clears up on its own.
With ear infections this is a bad idea, for three main reasons. Firstly because they are distressing for the dog.
And secondly because the dog that is flapping his ears to relieve the irritation inside them, is quite likely to give himself a haematoma of the ear flap.
This is where bleeding occurs inside the flap from the constant shaking, and a big cyst fills with blood and if left may eventually burst.
Treating the haematoma, stitching, draining etc, can be a lot more trouble, and a lot more expensive, than treating the original ear infection.
And thirdly, Otitis Externa can be even more serious is left untreated in the long term, involving expensive surgery and occasionally in permanent hearing loss
What Is Pet Dander Exactly
Pet dander is composed of tiny particles of skin that is shed from animals with fur or feathers. This dander is mostly attached to the pet hair at the bottom.
Hence in case of non-shedding breeds, the hair does not fall and the dander is not released into the environment These non-shedding dog breeds do not release dander into the air and it is not inhaled by the allergic person.
But the lack of loss of hair cannot qualify the pet as completely non-allergic. Different dogs have differences in protein production and cause a different degree of reaction in people, this is true even though the dog belongs to the same breeds. Thus even dogs of the same breed can cause a different degree of allergic reactions in an allergic person for reasons unknown.
Hence no dog is completely hypoallergenic. The fact is that some dogs that dont shed, which are considered to be hypoallergenic, go well with people who are allergic to the pet dander. Here, in this case, the hair does not fall and the allergic reaction does not occur.
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How Do I Treat My Labs Inhalant Allergy
There are several ways to treat inhalant allergies. Allergy shots involve a serum containing the allergen to which your dog reacts. Over time, the injections can desensitize them to the allergen, reducing the symptoms.
Your vet might also prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve symptoms like itching and skin irritation. But its important to note that these drugs treat only the symptoms and not the allergy itself. You can also bathe your dog with hypoallergenic shampoo* to help relieve symptoms.
Routine Care Diet And Exercise
Build her routine care into your schedule to help your Lab live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during her lifetime. We cannot overemphasize the importance of a proper diet and exercise routine.
- Supervise your pet as you would a toddler. Keep doors closed, pick up after yourself, and block off rooms as necessary. This will keep her out of trouble and away from objects she shouldnt put in her mouth.
- Brush her coat as needed, at least weekly.
- Labrador Retrievers generally have good teeth, and you can keep them perfect by brushing them at least twice a week!
- Clean her ears weekly, even as a puppy. Dont worrywell show you how!
- She’s a smart dog with lots of energy, so keep her mind and body active, or she’ll get bored. That’s when the naughty stuff starts.
- Always walk your Lab on a leash as she has a tendency to run off after interesting smells and people.
- She has a passion for water, and swimming is a perfect form of exercise for this water retriever.
- Keep your dogs diet consistent and dont give her people food.
- Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for her age.
- Exercise your dog regularly, but dont overdo it at first.
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Does This Mean I Cant Have A Lab
Not necessarily, but if you are someone who is very sensitive to allergens then a Labrador may not be the best dog for you. However, if you dont have severe dog allergies, then owning a Labrador could be quite manageable for you. Some tests have shown that Labs may have fewer allergens than some of the other large breeds.
Owning a Lab would be dependent on several factors. How much work are you willing to do to lower the number of allergens in your home? How often are you willing to brush and bathe your pet? What changes are you willing to make around your house so the hair doesnt collect? Are you willing to take allergy medications on a regular basis? There are several things you can do to lower the allergens in your home but you have to decide if owning a Lab is worth it.
There are a number of breeds that may be easier on allergies that you could bring into your home. The American Kennel Club suggests these breeds for people who have dog allergies:
- Afghan Hound
- Xoloitzcuintli.
You may not be able to own a Lab, but you still might be able to own a dog!
What Are Flea Allergies And Flea Allergy Symptoms
Flea allergies, or FAD are the most common allergies in Labrador Retrievers. FAD occurs when a flea bites an animal, injecting its saliva into the skin. Your dog will most likely be susceptible to FAD during the summer months. Because fleas thrive best in warm temperatures with humidity.
Early warning signs of FAD include itchy, irritated skin. Youll probably notice your Lab scratching quite a lot and possibly biting the affected area. This in turn causes red, inflamed patches of skin called hot spots. Flea bites occur most often on the back and at the base of the tail. In severe cases, you might notice hair loss, oozing, or dark, crusty skin.
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Treating Skin Allergies In Dogs
Short of totally eliminating the allergen from your dogs environment or diet, theres no cure for allergies.
Whether or not youve figured out the cause of your dogs discomfort, you can take steps to alleviate the problem.
From simple lifestyle changes to complex medical treatments, here are some tips for treating and soothing your dogs itchy skin.
Home Tests For Food Sensitivities
There are more home testing options for sensitivities than allergies, but many of them havent been supported as valid means to diagnose food sensitivities.
A breath test is an established test for lactose intolerance. This test involves breathing into a small device designed to check the hydrogen level in your breath.
There are also testing kits that collect saliva and cheek swabs to be analyzed for genetic testing. While this area of testing has potential, its still very experimental and more research is needed. Hair testing is also available, but there is no evidence to support its use and thus isnt recommended.
Finally, Immunoglobulin G testing is offered through a finger prick kit. The use of IgG testing is not widely recommended because, unlike IgE, its actually normal for your immune system to make IgG in response to foods that you eat. In fact, its normal for your IgG level to generally be higher for the foods you eat more often, so testing results have no value.
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Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food
Made with bison and sweet potatoes, Natural Balance food contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Bison is a premium-quality protein source that is rich in amino acids, very lean and because its a somewhat unique or unusual ingredient, is good to trial for eliminating allergy to more common protein sources.
Natural Balance limited ingredient foods contain no grains, and just a few high quality ingredients to make it easier to eliminate allergens from your dogs diet. This premium dog food will work wonders for many dogs.
Frequent Baths And Grooming
Why it works: Remember how soft your dogs fur feels after hes had a bath? Thats because the dirt has been washed away, along with the allergens.
Frequent bathing removes the dead skin flakesa.k.a danderfrom your pets skin and can reduce allergens by as much as 84%.
Most veterinarians recommend weekly baths but consult your own vet to determine whats best for you and your dog. Youll need to be careful not to dry out your pets skincertain shampoos can help. Dont forget wipes, which can be less harsh on your pets skin yet still remove a good percentage of built-up allergens. There are even shampoos and wipes specifically designed to reduce dog allergens.
If you have a high-shedding dog, make sure you brush him outside. Image via Flickr.
Dont forget to brush your dog frequentlyand take it outside! Wear a mask if youre allergic, but preferably a non-allergic family member or professional would handle the grooming.
No time for a full bath? No problem! Rub this product on your dog using a washclothbut dont soak it inand dry it with a towel to easily remove dander and saliva without the hassle of a full bath.
Also wash your hands frequently to keep allergens at bay, especially after petting your dog. Maybe even change your clothes several times a day.
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If I Shave My Lab Will That Fix The Allergens
Shaving your Lab will not fix the allergy problem.
Remember? I told you that the hair is only one part of the allergen equation. So, even if you shave your Labrador, there is a strong possibility that you will still have a problem with your dogs saliva or skin.
Additionally, shaving your Labrador will actually cause problems with your dogs hair growth. Shaving your Lab can make the hair grow at irregular rates and times of the year and make allergy problems even more severe.
What About A Lab Cant You Own It If You Have Allergies
Is a Labrador good for allergies? If you are a person with severe allergies Labrador retriever may not be the best option for you. Because Labradors come under the category of double coated dogs and they shed a considerable amount of fur.
You may have a doubt, Do Labs shed a lot?. As a Labrador owner, and with the experience of raising many Labs i can surely tell that Labradors shed a lot.
A person who is very sensitive to the pet dander and other allergic substances might not be comfortable with a Lab.
Even though too many allergic reactions do not occur to me, i have pet allergies. But there are ways to manage life without any problem even if you have a breed like Labrador, these are the ways how i avoid allergic reactions.
1. Brush your Labrador regularly to keep him free of dead hair and reduce the amount of regular shedding. Regular grooming can remove the dead cells and dead hair from your pet, its better to comb your dog outside while wearing a mask.
A de-shedding tool like Furminator helps in removing the loose hair and undercoat without hurting your dogs skin. This helps in reducing a considerable amount of shedding. Find out ways to stop Labrador hair fall in our article.
3. Avoid heavy carpets and furniture that attracts fur and dander easily. A heavy carpet in the house can be the biggest reservoir for your dogs dander.
4. Train your Lab not to get on your bed, as you sleep on the bed for almost 8 hours a day, it is important to keep it allergen free.
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Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Adult Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
If youre looking for a healthy, balanced diet for your large-breed dog, this Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Adult Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe is a great option. It features fresh chicken as a lean source of protein with digestible whole-grain carbohydrates like brown rice, barley, and oats. It offers moderate fat content with optimal protein to help your dog maintain a healthy body weight as well as lean muscle mass. This recipe promotes joint health in dogs thanks to glucosamine and chondroitin supplements, not to mention chicken meal which is a natural source of joint-supporting nutrients. This formula also contains a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables to provide natural sources for key nutrients with vitamins and chelated minerals to ensure nutritional balance. Overall, it provides 26% protein and 12% fat at 340 calories per cup.
Pros: Formulated for large breeds, optimal protein and fat for healthy body weight, joint-supporting nutrients, fresh fruits and vegetables, probiotics, chelated minerals, nutritionally balanced
Cons: Not a grain-free recipe
S For Living With Dogs If You Have Pet Allergies
The Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America figures that15 to 30% of people in the United States are allergic to dogs, cats, or both.
Labradors are the most popular breed in the world. Thatmeans there is a good chance that even if you have allergies, you might stillbe interested in getting a Lab. I get it. I am not sure what I would do if, allof a sudden, I developed a severe reaction to my two Labs.
There are some things you can do to minimize the overalleffect of a Labrador on your immune system.
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Do Labradors Cause Allergies
Being a reputed breed, Labrador retrievers are wanted by almost everyone. Their even temperament, trustworthy, and social nature makes them the perfect family dog. Therefore, people with some form of allergies often wonder if Labradors are suitable for them or not. In fact, one of the most common questions dog lovers tend to have about Labrador retrievers is: Are they hypoallergenic?
Well, unfortunately for them, no. Labradors are not hypoallergenic. They do have the potential to cause allergic reactions. If you are well aware of this breed, you must know that being working dogs, Labradors have a double coat that sheds a lot, especially during shedding seasons. The abandoned fur has all the potential to trigger reactions in people with pet allergies.
Sadly, in the United States, at least 3 out of 10 people suffer from pet allergies. Consequently, many dog lovers cannot own a Labrador retriever even if they wish to. Symptoms like itchiness, continuous sneezing, running nose, and others wont allow them to take such a step.
To mitigate allergic reactions from Labs, some people try to create hypoallergenic versions by interbreeding Labradors with dogs like Poodles. However, truth to be told, there is nothing called a hypoallergenic dog. Even the supposed hypoallergenic dogs can cause allergies because fur is not the only source of allergic reactions. Some individual proteins found in dogs urine or saliva can also trigger allergic reactions.
