The Pet Parents® Guide to Dog Allergies

As a pet parent, you hope that the only reason you’ll take your dog to the vet is for routine checkups and vaccinations. While sitting in the waiting room at the vet, have you ever wondered why your fellow pet parents and their furbabies are visiting the vet, too? According to the Nationwide Pet Insurance Data, one of the most common reasons for pet parents visiting the vet is because of their dog’s allergies.

In this article, we’ll talk about what dog allergies are, the different types, signs & symptoms of dog allergies, dog allergy testing benefits, and the most efficient ways how you can manage allergies to provide allergy relief for dogs.

"Food allergies, one of the most common types of allergy in dogs, are reported to be caused by certain ingredients present in what your dog eats."

DOG ALLERGY SYMPTOMS

Dog allergies happen when your furbaby’s immune system reacts to a particular allergen. This then causes your dog’s body to release immune cells which in turn release inflammatory substances (such as histamine). According to the experts at Pets WebMD, most dogs are usually allergic to more than one thing.

Your dog’s immune system beckons a response, known as an allergic reaction, as it tries to fight off the allergen. Some dog allergy symptoms are easy to see, while others might surprise you. Signs of dog allergies include (but not limited to):

TYPES OF DOG ALLERGIES AND WHAT CAUSES ALLERGIES IN DOGS

There are several different types of dog allergies from dog seasonal allergies to food allergies. The most commonly diagnosed are the following:

• Dog food allergies. Food allergies, one of the most common types of allergy in dogs, are reported to be caused by certain ingredients present in what your dog eats. Common dog food allergies are to specific foods like eggs, chicken, soy, wheat, and beef. Food allergies don’t only cause itchiness to your furbaby but also provoke GI tract irritation and stomach upset. You might want to consider finding a food for dogs with allergies if you notice allergy symptoms.
• Environmental allergies in dogs. Also known as atopic dermatitis, this type of allergy is usually caused by factors like sensitivity to molds, pollens, and dust present in the environment, particularly in the air. Dog seasonal allergies are common, just as they are in humans. Various circumstances, like both your furbaby’s genetic make-up and environment, trigger atopic dermatitis. This type of dog allergy condition is caused by an improper immune reaction of the body to the allergens, rather than by the allergens alone.
• Dog contact allergies. This type of dog allergy occurs when your furbaby happens to get in contact with strong and harmful substances that can be considered allergens. These substances may include household products like fabric softener, bleach, lawn fertilizers, garden herbicides, antifreeze, etc.
• Dog allergies from parasite and insect bite reactions. Parasite and insect bite allergies can be caused by bites commonly from fleas, ticks, spiders, bees, wasps, and ants. A flea allergy in dogs is somewhat common, but results in a very uncomfortable dog. A flea allergy in dogs can also be referred to as flea allergy dermatitis.

To learn more about what triggers allergies in dogs, check out this article.

DOG ALLERGY TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT

Dog allergies can be difficult to deal with especially if you don’t know what triggered it. There are several suggested ways to provide allergy relief for dogs, from allergy pills for dogs to allergy testing for dogs. Here, we’ve come up with the top, most efficient ways you can help manage your dog’s allergies.

Treating Dog Food Allergies:

• Talk to your vet about changing your dog’s current dog food into a hypoallergenic one that aids in preventing any immune responses.
• Restrict your dog’s diet to help identify the food that has been triggering your dog’s allergies.
• Get a special dog food for allergies with a limited ingredient formula.
• You can also provide your furbaby with anti-allergy foods like kangaroo meat, oatmeal, venison, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes.
• Provide dog allergy medicine or dog allergy supplements while your dog transitions to the new diet.

Treating Environmental Allergies in Dogs:

• Avoidance is probably the most reliable way to steer clear of your furbaby from environmental allergies.
• You may consider limiting your dog’s time outside, depending on if is dog seasonal allergies or year-round. Dog seasonal allergies can also benefit from supplements or dog allergy medicine.
• Regularly wash and clean your dog’s belongings⁠—bed, blanket, chews, crate, bowls. Be sure to use pet-safe detergents so that they do not further irritate your dog’s allergies.
• Ask your vet about allergy shots for dogs. If a common allergen, like grass, is causing severe problems, allergy shots for dogs might be a great solution.

Dog Contact Allergy Prevention:

• Keep all harmful substances in your home away from your dog’s reach. You can either place it on shelves that are too high for your furbaby to reach or lock it away on cabinets that they wouldn’t be able to open.
• If your dog gets in contact with any harmful substances, rinse the area with soap and running water immediately.

Dog Allergies from Parasite and Insect Bites:

• A flea allergy in dogs can usually have a reaction prevented by keeping your furbaby’s tick and flea vaccinations up to date.
• Always keep your house clean to avoid dust build-up and to get rid of insects.
• Make sure your lawn is always well-trimmed to reduce ticks and fleas. Ticks love to stay on bushes & long grasses and they definitely find dense vegetation a suitable place to live in.

Other Preventative Ways to Manage and Treat Dog Skin Allergies:

• First things first, consult your veterinarian. If you notice some signs and symptoms of dog skin allergies in your furbaby, visit your vet as soon as possible.
• Have your dog tested for allergies. Dog allergy testing is an exceptional diagnostic tool that will help determine what your dog is allergic to. Do not self-diagnose. Your vet will perform dog allergy tests and bloodwork to determine the underlying causes and allergens of why your furbaby happens to be feeling or acting this way.
• Get a special dog food for skin allergies or add in supplements that contain ingredients like salmon oil to help soothe itchy skin.
• After bathing your dog, make sure to dry your dog thoroughly in specific areas, particularly the ears, neck, tail, and where there are folds like the face!
• Help your dog out with allergy pills for dogs, Allergy SoftSupps®,or Benadryl.
• For more information, on the prevention and treatment of dog skin allergies, read Dog Skin Allergies.

DOG ALLERGY SUPPLEMENTS

Pet Parents® is with you in every dilemma you face, especially with dog allergies. There are tons of dog allergy supplements in the market today that claim to be allergy-fighting but only a few are of high-quality and from trusted brands.

Provide your furbaby with Pet Parents® Allergy SoftSupps®. These are premium dog allergy supplements that are specifically made to aid with your furbaby’s allergies. Pet Parents® Allergy SoftSupps® contain:

Unlike certain allergy pills or dogs or allergy meds for dogs, these SoftSupps® can be given daily to help aid in dog allergy relief without a prescription from a vet.

In addition to providing a quality dog allergy supplement, you can also add Pet Parents® Skin and Coat SoftSupps® to your dog’s daily dose of supplements. These supplements aim to support your furbaby’s skin and coat health. These two supplements pair perfectly to help provide allergy relief for dogs. Pet Parents® Skin and Coat SoftSupps® contain:

Dog allergies are one of the most common problems a pet parent will go through. But with proper education, dog allergy tests, a proper vet diagnosis, and Pet Parents® SoftSupps®, no allergy can come in the way of your furbaby living that happier and healthier life. Be sure to check out our other blogs for more on dog allergies, tips, and prevention.

"Pet Parents® Allergy SoftSupps® are premium dog allergy supplements that are specifically made to aid with your furbaby’s allergies."