Allergies Are Becoming More Common in Dogs

By Wayne Harley


Allergies are getting more and more widespread with people and dogs, especially food and scent allergies. What are some signs your dog might be allergic to something?

Common dog allergy symptoms can include: Itchy, red, moist or scabs on the skin Scratching Ear infection Itchy, watery eyes Itchy back or base of tail (most commonly flea allergy) Itchy ears and ears infected Sneezing Throwing up Diarrhea Snoring caused by an inflamed throat Paw biting/licking/swollen paws Rubbing her face Constant licking

The most problematic of these is scratching, since a dog can scratch herself raw, which can potentially lead to secondary infections, excessive shedding, and hair loss.

What Can Dogs Be Allergic To? Tree, grass and weed pollens Cleaning chemicals Prescription medication Dust mites Mold spores Dander Feathers Rubber and plastic materials Cigarette smoke Food products Fleas and flea-control products Perfumes Fabrics Shampoo products

How to Tell What Your Dog Could Be Allergic to Are your dogs allergies seasonal or do the allergies for your dog seem to happen year round? If the symptoms are all year round, one method you can try is to switch out your dog's food. The most common symptoms for dog food allergies are licking, scratching, and different types of skin problems.

Have you made a recent change in your dogs routine since the allergy problems started? You may need to sort through the above allergy list one by one and try to make changes until you have narrowed down the cause.

Remember, even though your dog could have the above symptoms, he may not have allergies. He may be suffering from any number of other possible medical conditions, such as fleas, worms, or hormonal disorders. Contact your veterinarian just to be safe.




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