Does your dog or cat have pet allergies? Do they sneeze, sniffle, or scratch his ears more than enough to make you go “hmmm”. Your pet may have allergies. Just like us humans, pets can suffer horribly from different types of allergies. As a pet parent, your first line of defense against allergies is being able to identify that your pet does, in fact, have allergies. Recognizing the signs and symptoms can help prevent your pet from prolonged suffering.
Possible signs of pet allergies:
- Rubs his face on floor and/or furniture
- Sneezing Coughing
- Wheezing
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Chronic ear infections
- Sniffles/runny nose
- Scratches ears frequently
- Chews on his paws or other body parts
- Rash
- Open wounds/hot spots
- Watery or oozing eyes
If your pet displays any of these symptoms, it’s quite possible that he has pet allergies. Your next step is to make an appointment with your pet’s veterinarian. Your veterinarian will fully examine your pet and discuss your pet’s medical history with you. Also, be prepared to discuss how long the symptoms have persisted as well as what possibly may have triggered the allergy. The doctor will then run bloods tests and administer an allergy skin test just as your doctor would do for you if you were being screened for allergies!
There are 3 types of pet allergies:
Airborne allergies, Food allergies, and Insect allergies
Common Airborne Allergies:
- Tree pollens
- Weed pollens
- Grass pollens
- Dust mites
- Mold
Possible treatment:
- Allergy shots
- Benadryl
- Limit exposure
Common Food Allergies:
- Beef
- Chicken
- Corn
- Wheat
- Soy
Possible Treatment:
- Strict diet – particularly in the early stages of identifying the exact ingredients that your pet is allergic to
Common Insect Allergies:
- Spiders
- Ticks
- Fleas
- Horseflies
- Mosquitos
- Ants
Possible Treatment (prevention):
- Topical or oral medicine
- Flea collars/sprays
- Natural repellents such as peppermint or citronella spray
- Bathe and brush your pet regularly
- Vacuum every few days
- Wash linens once a week (including pet bedding)
- Maintain your pet’s overall health as fleas are more prone to feed off of an animal with a compromised immune system.
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