How To Manage Dog Allergies

Environmental Allergies In Dogs

Environmental allergies are the equivalent of hay fever in humans. Humans usually react to these allergens via their respiratory system, while dogs show symptoms in their skin. Direct contact with an allergen, whether inhaled, swallowed or introduced via the skin, triggers the response. Dust, pollen, mildew and mold are common allergens, as are many household products, from lawn chemicals to carpet cleaning spray. Even those lovely essential oils that you may enjoy can cause contact dermatitis and more long-term allergic responses in your dog.

Research Before You Buy A Dog

If you have not bought a dog and you know you have a dog allergy, make sure you do plenty of research before making a decision. It could be worthwhile to house-sit the breed you are thinking about adopting or buying before you actually bring a new dog home. This way, you can be certain that you can live comfortably with your new dog over the long term. Keep in mind, it is rare for allergy suffers to completely adjust to living with their dogs except for children, who may outgrow their allergies.

Also, remember its possible that you are allergic to a number of different allergens, not just dogs and dander. These can include dust, insecticides, pollen, and cigarette smoke. Get tested before making any major decisions.

What Are The Symptoms Of Allergies In Dogs

In the dog, the most common symptom associated with allergies is itching of the skin, either localized or generalized . In some cases, the symptoms involve the respiratory system, with coughing, sneezing, and/or wheezing. Sometimes, there may be runny discharge from the eyes or nose. In other cases, the allergic symptoms affect the digestive system resulting in vomiting and diarrhea.

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Does My Dog Have Allergies

It can be difficult to know for sure, but among the signs to look out for are itching skin, rashes, sneezing, an upset tummy, and hair loss. If environmental allergies are a concern, then you can try a skin test. Different allergies share many of the symptoms, so it can be challenging to figure them out. We recommend talking to your vet.

How To Manage Your Pet Allergies

If your allergist has confirmed you have a pet allergy, what can you do? Unfortunately, rehoming your pet is the best option. If thats what you decide, you will have to thoroughly clean the home. The pet dander can linger even after the pet has left.

For some people, getting rid of their pet is absolutely not an option. In those cases, try these methods:

• Undergo immunotherapy or take medication to relieve and lessen allergy symptoms.
• Make sure your pet is regularly brushed, but dont do this yourself.
• Get your pet bathed at least weekly to cut back on allergens like dander.
• Invest in an allergy filter for your air conditioner or heater and run it daily for four hours or more.
• If you snuggle up with your pet, put on a different outfit afterwards.
• If you are the one vacuuming up the house, always use a dust mask so you dont breathe in the dander and other pet allergens.
• Make sure you get your carpet steam-cleaned semi-often so dander cant linger.
• Contemplate ripping out your carpeting and getting hardwood flooring instead its much easier to vacuum up pet dander this way.
• Have someone else regularly clean the pets toys, bed, scratching post and other items they like to use.
• Keep the pet off the couch and out of the bedroom.

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How To Manage An Allergic Reaction To Dogs

Dogs are one of the most loyal and affectionate pets for families of all sizes, so what do you do if you love dogs but are allergic to them? Here, we look at what dog allergies really are, what you can do about a dog allergy, and some of the dog breeds that could be more suitable for those with dog allergies.

Allergy Medicine Guide For Pet Allergy

Nasal rinse: Using a saline nose rinse can help cut down mucus and rinse pollen out of your nose. Remember to use these as directed.

Nose sprays: Corticosteroid nose sprays are effective and have few side effects. They treat the swelling and inflammation in your nose. Antihistamine nasal sprays such as Astelin and Patanase are also effective options.

Eye drops: Allergy eye drops can be very helpful in managing eye allergy symptoms. They can relieve burning sensation, itchiness, redness, increased tearing, and swelling. Common eye drops include SYSTANE® ZADITOR®, Optivar, and Pataday®. In addition, artificial tears can be helpful.

Antihistamines: Antihistamines come in pill, liquid, or nasal spray form. They can relieve sneezing and itching in the nose and eyes. They also reduce a runny nose and, to a lesser extent, nasal stuffiness. Look for a long-acting, non-drowsy antihistamine.

: Decongestants are available as pills, liquids, nasal sprays, or drops. They help shrink the lining of the nasal passages and relieve stuffiness. They generally are only used for a short time . Check with your doctor before using decongestants if you have high blood pressure, glaucoma, thyroid disease, or trouble urinating.

Leukotriene modifiers : This medicine can help by blocking chemicals your body releases when you have an allergic reaction.

If I Want to Keep My Pet, Can I Take Steps to Reduce My Pet Allergy?

Reduce your exposure to pet allergens.

Clean and reduce allergens in your home.

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How To Keep A Dog’s Seasonal Allergies At Bay

You’ll also want to limit your dog’s exposure to allergens. After outside playtime, use a baby wipe on their underside, paws and legs before letting them inside this can remove allergens from your dog’s skin.

Weekly baths with oatmeal shampoos can also be helpful, but make sure the water is lukewarm, as hot water can dry and irritate their skin. Dogs tend to respond well to a bath with a medicated shampoo that contains antihistamines or steroids. Prescription-strength lotions and sprays are also available.

While seasonal allergies are a thing every single year, their impact on your dog’s well-being can be reduced with proper treatment and active prevention measures. Not every approach will be right for every dog, but with a little trial and error, you can figure out how to keep seasonal allergies from slowing your pet down.

How Much Dog Scratching Is Normal

Dogs naturally scratch to shed old hair and dirt, as well as keep their nails in check. Scratching is also used for marking territory and communicating with other animals in the area. As such, some scratching is normal.

However, excessive scratching can indicate an underlying issue that should be addressed by a veterinarian. Allergies, dry skin, fleas, and mites can all cause a dog to scratch excessively. In these cases, treatment usually involves medications and lifestyle changes that can help manage the underlying problem.

Additionally, keeping your dogs nails trimmed regularly may also reduce scratching as it will be less likely for them to snag on things or become too long.

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How Often To Bathe A Dog With Itchy Skin

If your dog has itchy skin, its important to establish a regular bathing schedule. Depending on the severity of the itching and level of irritation, your vet may recommend bathing your dog once every two weeks or more frequently.

Be sure to use a gentle shampoo specifically designed for pets with sensitive skin and be sure to thoroughly rinse off any shampoo residue. After each bath, use a moisturizing conditioner to help add moisture and soothe the skin.

Additionally, talk to your vet about any other treatments they may recommend for your dogs itchy skin such as medicated shampoos or dietary changes. With proper care, you can help keep your pup comfortable and itch-free.

A Complete Guide To Dog Allergies: Causes Treatments And More

By Katelyn Son | Updated December 02, 2022

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Dog allergieslike allergies in humans and other animalsoccur when the immune system overreacts to a perceived threat from an outside source. Although increasingly common, it can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Read on to learn more about the causes, symptoms, and management of allergies in dogs.

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Pets That Don’t Cause Allergies

No matter what you may have heard, no furry animal is truly hypoallergenic. Dander can build up in any type of hair or fur, even if it’s short or your pet doesn’t shed much. It even happens in breeds described as “hairless.”

If you want a pet that doesn’t make you cough and sneeze, you’ll need to choose one without any fur or feathers, like a fish, turtle, or snake.

How To Prevent An Allergic Reaction

Heres what you can do to prevent dog allergies:

• Stay on top of cleaning.
• Keep risky items out of your pups reach.
• Dont wait to see the vet. If you suspect something isnt right, make an appointment.
• Learn what to do in an emergency.
• Try to avoid dusty areas.
• Wash your dog if its dirty after a walk. Dont let it go on the bed or other surfaces.

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Evaluating Your Dogs Diet

Youll probably need to evaluate your dogs diet. It may surprise you to learn that many common proteins can lead to allergic reactions in your dog including beef, chicken, eggs, lamb, soy and milk. This may be doubly surprising if your dog has enjoyed these foods in the past. Dogs, like people, can develop new sensitivities even to those things that were once our favorites. Food allergy in dogs or food hypersensitivity can develop in response to almost any protein. Allergies to carbohydrates are uncommon, despite what the marketers of grain-free diets advertise.

What Are Hypoallergenic Dogs

Theres no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog4. Not even the expensive purebreds often marketed as “low shedding” are completely allergen-free, as all dogs produce dander, urine and saliva. That said, some breeds may shed less hair, spreading their allergens less frequently and triggering fewer or less severe reactions6.

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How Common Are Allergies In Dogs

Theyre pretty common and usually dont discriminate against any breed. Manage Dog Allergies

When your pup is six months old, you could see the early signs of an allergy. If thats the case, know that itll be the worst between their first and second year.

The most common dog allergies are environmental, food, and flea. These will affect at least 20% of pups at some point. Food is responsible for 10% of them, so keep an eye out for the symptoms.

Can You Live With A Pet If You Are Allergic To It

For most pet owners finding a new home for a beloved pet is a difficult choice, especially when theres an emotional attachment to their animal.

Taking allergy medication, especially when you know youre going to be exposed to pets or animals, is one option to discuss with your allergist.

The following lifestyle recommendations may also help:

• Restrict pets to one area of the home when inside.
• Always keep pets out of the bedroom.
• Cover beds and pillows with allergen-proof encasings. Its often extremely difficult to remove pet allergens that may have gotten into mattresses, box springs and pillows.
• Use a HEPA-filter vacuum daily, especially in rooms where the person with pet allergies spends the most time. Consider a HEPA air cleaner for the bedroom.
• Replace carpets, upholstered furniture, heavy drapes and other allergen and dust collectors with hardwood floors or washable furnishings. Focus on the bedroom even though you should not allow your pet in this room, animal allergens can still travel through air and on your clothes.

Washing your cat or dog is not likely to result in any significant difference in allergens. Research shows the benefits of washing are so temporary that it is unlikely to be worth the effort or distress to the pet.

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Diagnosing Allergies In Dogs

Its simply impossible to test for every little thing that could cause a reaction. Thats why many vets dont even recommend dog tests for allergies, except for the seasonal ones, since those are the only medical tests available.

But if you want to find out more than that, at-home dog allergy tests could be the start of eliminating some allergens.

Does Immunotherapy Work For Pet Allergies

Allergen immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, can help build a patients tolerance to pet allergens, reducing or eliminating symptoms.

Heres how it works: the patient is given a gradually increasing amount of the allergen on a regular schedule, until a maintenance level is reached. Tolerance for the allergen typically continues after immunotherapy ends however the long-term success rate can vary from person to person.

Talk with your allergist about whether immunotherapy is right for you.

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How Do I Know If I Am Allergic To My Pets

If you notice you have allergy symptoms after being around pets, its a good idea to see your healthcare provider. They may refer you to an allergist. An allergist is a healthcare provider who specializes in allergies. They can help diagnose your pet allergies through specific tests.

Before conducting pet allergy tests, they may ask you questions, including:

• Do you have a family history of pet allergies?
• Have you ever been diagnosed with allergies before?
• What are your symptoms?
• Do you take any over-the-counter medications to treat your symptoms?
• What kinds of animals are you around when your allergies start to act up?

Pets That Can Trigger An Allergy

Your immune system is always on the lookout for foreign bodies that could make you sick. When it finds them, it makes proteins called antibodies to protect you. But sometimes, your immune system makes a mistake. It makes antibodies to fight off something that’s not harmful — like your pet.

The most common pet allergies include:

• Dogs and cats: Your pet doesn’t set off an allergic reaction — it’s what’s trapped in their hair or fur. Saliva, sweat, pee, and dander can all trigger allergies. Pet fur also traps mold, pollen, and other outdoor allergens that make you sneeze and your eyes water.
• Small rodents and rabbits: Despite their small size, the hair, dander, and saliva on the fur of these animals can set off an allergic reaction. And the urine of rodents like gerbils, mice, and hamsters also has chemicals some people are allergic to. These get into the air as your pet moves around its cage or bedding.
• Birds: Mites that live in bird feathers are a common allergen. The fine dust in bird droppings can trigger a reaction, too.
• Horses:It’s rare, but in some people, the allergen in horse dander can cause a life-threatening reaction. Children are most at risk.

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What Is Contact Allergy

Contact allergy is the least common type of allergy in dogs. It results from direct contact to allergens, such as pyrethrins found in flea collars, pesticides used on the lawn, grasses, materials such as wool or synthetics used in carpets or bedding, etc. Contact allergies can develop to practically anything and at any age.

“…there will be skin irritation and itching at the points of contact…”

If the dog is allergic to any of these substances, there will be skin irritation and itching at the points of contact, usually the feet and stomach. Removal of the allergen often solves the problem.

Caution: The symptoms of allergies can be confused with other disorders, or occur concurrently with them. Therefore, do not attempt to diagnose your dog without veterinary professional assistance. Be prepared for your pet to receive a full diagnostic evaluation to rule out other causes of itching and skin problems. If an allergy is diagnosed, your whole family must follow your veterinarian’s advice very closely in order to successfully relieve your pet’s discomfort.

What Are The Symptoms Of Dog Allergies

Many of the symptoms in dogs caused by allergies are very similar to those that humans suffer. Though the list below outlines primary symptoms of pet allergies, as the ASPCA explains, Allergic dogs may also suffer from secondary bacterial or yeast skin infections, which may cause hair loss, scabs or crusts on the skin.

The following is a list of potential pet allergy symptoms. You may see in your dog, as described by the ASPCA:

• Itchy, red, moist or scabbed skin
• Rashes red, raised, swollen areas of skin
• Increased scratching
• Loss of hair in patches or general thinning of skin
• Brown staining of feet due to saliva and excessive licking
• Sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and a rash.

Knowing that your pets allergy symptoms are the result of allergies should bring some sense of relief. Once the symptoms are explained, a pet parent can take the proper steps to then help their dog be liberated from the pixies. But first, determining the cause of your dogs allergies is an important next step.

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Wash All Dog Bedding Routinely

Like your bedsheets get dirty after a week of use, your dog’s bed is getting dirty faster than you realize. If you can’t commit to washing the cover at least twice a week in hot water and bleach, consider alternative options for doggy relaxation. Dog beds often contribute to greasy, dirty skin and coats that worsen allergy reactions. They can also trap the allergens themselves, especially mold spores and dust. Even anti-allergy dog beds need weekly cleaning.