Keep your dog free from dog allergy- Complete facts on dog allergy

Dogs are not just man's best friend but they are, most often, treated as one in the family. In certain homes, they are the most loved members of the family! This makes it extremely heart wrenching to watch your dog suffering from some kind of dog allergy. Constant itching and scratching will create unease for the dog as well as for the doting owner. Most often, dog allergies are caused due to dust mites or they could be due to dog food allergies. In order to understand the extent of discomfort that one's dog is undergoing, it is advisable to visit the vet as soon as possible for a complete diagnosis and to rule out any other abnormality.

Dog food allergies elicit some of the most severe symptoms that include vomiting, watery stools leading to loss of weight and lethargy. The most common cause for dog food allergy is commercially prepared dog food that is generally composed of a mix of various meat and grains. Many big dog food companies have been found to add intestines, udder and sometimes even parts of animals that were infected. The grains that are included in the dog food are usually deemed unfit for human consumption and therefore could also lead to dog food allergies. Since the last place that one would suspect a source of allergy to be from is the dog food, these forms of allergies go unnoticed for long periods of time. The best way to test if the dog allergy is caused due to dog food is by changing the food and checking for any changes in symptoms that are exhibited by the dog. The best dog food for allergies is home prepared food that would contain the right meat and the right amount of grains. There are many recipes that are av ailable for those who do not know how to make a dog meal at home and these may be used to make a meal that your dog would love eating. Alternatively, if making homemade meals are out of the question, then switching to organic meals are the next best dog food for allergies.

Apart from dog food, there are a large number of allergens that are present in the air and that can cause an allergic reaction in dogs. Dust mites, pollen grains and some reports even claim human hair as allergens that could cause dogs to itch and sneeze. Cleaning the whole house and keeping it dust free are some of the things that can be done to ensure that your pet remains allergy free.

Dog skin allergies are usually very severe near the paws, groin area, ears and even the flanks. Constant itching could lead to thickening of the skin and an unpleasant odour. Other dog allergy symptoms include red eyes that are watery, a stuffy nose and sneezing. When dog allergies are caused as a result of parasites like fleas and ticks, the dog allergy symptoms could also include a loss of hair and an excessive urge to itch especially on the tail, the inner legs and the stomach.

The treatment for dog skin allergies and hot spots that are newly formed involve the immediate use of over the counter cortisone creams to prevent spread and to avoid aggravation of the condition. A prescribed shampoo on consultation with the vet will ensure that the skin allergy symptoms slowly subside and over time the use of such shampoos can be substituted with the use of a good medicated soap that can be used at least twice a week. Dog allergy symptoms that are caused due to parasite attack should be treated with the application of a good anti flea shampoo, the concentration and the frequency of use is dependant upon the size and weight of the dog.

In order to keep one's house free from dust mites and other air borne allergens, constant vacuuming and cleaning should be undertaken. This will ensure that there is no accumulation of dust and therefore would keep one's dog allergy free. Avoid taking the dog out for long walks when the pollen grains are aplenty or instead give the dog a good wash with a water pipe to remove all traces of pollen after the walk.

Dog allergies are common in certain breeds of dogs like golden retrievers and Labradors and so such dogs should be monitored more carefully and treated with greater care to prevent the onset of allergies.

Dog allergies are treatable and can be cured. There is no reason for the dog to suffer for long periods of time. The essence lies in early detection and treatment thereafter. Many studies have suggested that nearly 15% of dogs suffer from some form of allergy and this number is said to be increasing.

A vet should be consulted for proper diagnosis of the allergy condition. Careful study of the behaviour of one's dog as well as recognition of periods during which the dog allergy symptoms are evident or aggravated should be keenly noted and reported to the vet. Such in depth understanding will help in identifying the cause of dog allergy as well as provide clues to the discomfort that one's dog faces. Once the correct diagnosis has been made, it is possible to keep one's dog allergy free and happy for the rest of its life with the correct support and care afforded.

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