Many dogs suffer from dog skin allergies. The symptoms can be mild, an extra sensitivity that causes the dog to rub his face or body against a rough surface. Severe cases may lead to skin biting, infections and can be a real source of misery for the afflicted dog.
Dogs, like people, have allergic reactions to various irritants. The irritants cause the body to produce histamines. It is the histamines that cause the itching and irritation.
Fleas are a major source of skin allergic responses. Their saliva carries an anti-coagulant which mixes with the dog’s blood when he is bitten. This anti-coagulant causes the allergic response in many dogs. One bite is enough to cause minor to intense suffering depending on the individual dog’s response.
If fleas are not present, then look at the ingredients in your dog’s food. Check at your pet food store for the various sensitive food products they carry. You’ll want to eliminate the common nutritional culprits like corn, wheat and grain. If that doesn’t improve the situation, consider one of the single protein source formulations. Salmon and sweet potato dry food is extremely low in allergic food response, as are duck and turkey. You should be able to get the right food by trying small bags of each formulation in a process of elimination. Dogs with food allergies have swift reactions to the allergens so he will be telling you there’s still a problem.
Veterinarians can recommend steroidal medications, lotions and baths to calm the irritation. If you are lucky enough to live near an ocean or other body of salt water and have a dog who swims, then a weekly trip to the beach is a fun and effective solution. If there are fleas, they’ll not survive the water and salt. The salt helps heal the skin and the exercise will allay some of the dog’s anxiety. Oatmeal baths are another aid. Aromatherapy with sweet orange oil and massages with an almond oil and sweet orange oil combination are calming and the orange oil is a natural pesticide.
Once you find the food your dog can eat without suffering an adverse reaction, keep him on it. Never finish one bag and start a new one. There may be slight changes in the proportions of ingredient between one batch and the next. A new bag may provoke a response unless you gradually mix and replace the old food with the new.
If fleas are the culprit, they must be eliminated from the house, yard and, of course, your dog. Orange oil products are remarkably effective and totally safe, plus the smell is cheery and quite wonderful. Dogs do not shy away from a massage with orange and almond oils. Take the essential orange oil and drip it onto the dog’s collar for protection against any fleas outdoors. Buy borax and sprinkle it around your house. Fleas love carpets. Push the borax into your carpets with a stiff broom, wait a few minutes and then vacuum it up. Then sprinkle lavender and peppermint leaves around. They also repel fleas and make your house smell wonderful.
Dog skin allergies should be dealt with promptly to alleviate the discomfort and suffering of your dog. With the right information, you can easily take the steps to removing the allergens that cause these problems.
I’m a family pet health guru who specializes in dogs with skin problems.
How To Cope With Dog Skin Allergies
Dog Care Tips : Soothing Itchy Skin for Dogs
Compare_______________________________________________
|
|
Natural Pet Pharmaceuticals Allergies Dog Homeopathic 4 oz $29.99 Designed to provide fast relief of allergies affecting the eyes, ears, nose, throat and skin of your pet. |
|
|
Health Concerns Skin Balance Dog & Cat Herbal 90 Tablets $22.49 A Chinese herbal remedy for flea allergies, inhalant allergies, skin and coat problems. |
|
|
I Know Someone With Allergies (Hardcover) $41.08 Presents basic information about what allergies are, what causes them, how people deal with them, and what it is like to have a friend with allergies. |
|
|
Food Allergies/Dairy 1 oz: HF $9.53 Dairy Allergies provides relief for the symptoms of stomach upsets, diarrhea, congestion, rashes and dry, itchy skin assosiated with dairy allergies. |
|
|
Allergies For Dummies® Pocket Edition $4.99 Manage and control your allergies! Don’t let allergies stop you or your loved ones from leading an active life! This handy guide gives you easy-to-follow information you can put to work immediately. Nationally recognized allergy expert Dr. William E. Berger fills you in on what you need to know to: Control allergic symptoms safely Deal with allergic skin conditions Prevent or manage allergic reactions Allergy proof your home |
|
|
Allergies For Dummies®, Pocket Edition $3.35 Manage and control your allergies!Don’t let allergies stop you or your loved ones from leading an active life! This handy guide gives you easy-to-follow information you can put to work immediately. Nationally recognized allergy expert Dr. William E. Berger fills you in on what you need to know to:Control allergic symptoms safelyDeal with allergic skin conditionsPrevent or manage allergic reactionsAllergy proof your home |
______________________________________________________
Mail this post
