How to Handle Allergies In Your Dog

Adopting a dog is one of the greatest choices any family can make. If you are a new pet owner you are probably excited about having your new pet. 

One of the major tasks you will have besides feeding is to make sure that you are observant. 

You need to be observant because you will learn a lot about your dog and how they are doing by paying attention. One of the things you may observe is that your pet is experiencing what appears to be allergy symptoms. 

You need to understand as much as possible about dog allergies because it is treatable and there’s no need for your pet to live an uncomfortable life. Here are some of the signs and symptoms of dog allergies that you should be aware of.

How to Handle Allergies In Your Dog

Scratching and Itching

This sign is easy to spot. You will notice that your dog starts scratching and itching their coat.

This itching and scratching can cause them to scratch their skin and get infections.

In addition to getting a skin infection from scratching and itching, skin infections may also occur naturally. When your dog has allergies their skin will become red and inflamed on its own.

Shedding Coat

Another thing you may notice when your dog starts having allergies is that their coat will start shedding. This is very hard to miss in dogs that have very shaggy coats. 

However, if you look closely, you will also spot it in dogs with less hair as well. You will notice broad patches of skin in these dogs as the hair begins to shed. You will probably also notice that the area where the shedding has taken place has become red.

Paw Licking

When your dog’s skin is irritated you will also notice that they begin licking their paws a lot. They will especially start licking in between their paws. If you open them, you will likely see that it is also red and inflamed.

They may even start nibbling and biting at their paws in an attempt to relieve any itching they are feeling.

Ear Infections

You may also notice that your dog develops an ear infection. This ear infection also causes them to have reddish-looking ears. 

Your dog may also start vigorously scratching at their ears as well.

Allergy Medication Treatments

Now that you know a lot of the symptoms that you will see if your dog 

has allergies, it’s important to know how they can get treated so that your pet can be as comfortable as possible. 

The good news is that many of the over-the-counter allergy remedies that you use are also good for your dog as well. Of course, how much you give them is highly dependent on their weight and even their age.

Before giving your pet these medications it’s a good idea to check with your vet so that you give the right dosage. Some of the more common forms of these medications are Benadryl, and Zyrtec but there are several others available as well.

With that being said, you mustn’t give your dog anything that contains a decongestant. These medications are usually labeled as pseudoephedrine.

This is why it’s always best to consult your vet before going ahead and giving your dog any of these medications.

Get Rid of Irritants

If you don’t like to give your dog the type of medications that have been described above, you can manage the situation externally. You can use topical treatments to help relieve any itching, scratching, or redness your pet may be experiencing.

When using these products you need to make sure that they have been specifically created for pets. These types of products may be toxic for your pet if you use those made for humans.

You can also manage your pets’ allergic reactions by bathing them frequently during allergy season. You should only use shampoos and soaps that have been prescribed for a pet as they will have the right PH levels so as not to irritate your pet’s sensitive skin.

If you notice that your pet is mostly affected in the area of their paw then you can try to wipe their paws clean every time they come from outside. This will remove any pollen and allergens they may have picked up. 

You need to make sure that any soap you use is hypoallergenic so that it will not irritate your pet’s skin. Try to use fragrance-free cloth as well.

Be careful of what you give your pet to eat as well. If you want to give your dog something new then Google if it’s safe. For example, if you want to give your dog spinach, research, Can dogs eat spinach? before giving it to them.

Give Your Pet Supplements

Supplements are another great way for you to make sure that your dog is getting all the nutrients they need. Try giving your dog some omega fatty acids.

These can be found in fish oil supplements and they have the potential to give your pet a great deal of relief from allergies.

The great thing about omega-3 fatty acids is that they will also help to make your dog’s fur thick and shiny.

Limit Exposure

When all is said and done the best way to help relieve the allergy symptoms your pet is experiencing is by limiting their exposure to the triggers. This may mean that during allergy and pollen season your pet will need to stay indoors for a longer period to avoid coming into contact with irritants.

While this can be a bit debilitating, especially for an active pet it may be your best chance to reduce allergic reactions.

Take Care of Your Pet

Making sure that your pet gets the best possible care is critical. During allergy season it can be very frustrating for both your pet and yourself. This is why you need to be prepared ahead of time.

Ensuring that you give your dog the right medications if necessary and taking care of their skin as much as possible during allergy season is the key to your pet’s comfort. Finally, try to limit their exposure to any allergy and pollen as much as possible.