Dogs & Carpet Allergies

Dogs can be allergic to chemicals in carpeting.

Just like humans, dogs can experience allergic reactions. To protect your dog's health, it is important to determine what is triggering the reaction. If your dog is allergic to your carpet, not only could it be itchy, it could also be at risk for secondary skin infections.

Dog Allergies

Every day, your dog is exposed to substances called allergens. Most dogs do not react to allergens, but if your dog's immune system is sensitive to them, it will perceive the allergens as a threat. The immune system will try to expel the allergen from your dog's body, which causes an allergic reaction. Examples of allergens include pollen, dust, cleaners and chemicals found in carpeting.

Symptoms

If a dog is experiencing an allergic reaction after coming in contact with a carpet, it will show symptoms of contact hypersensitivity. These symptoms include a moist, red rash on a dog's belly or feet. The rash is itchy, so the dog could scratch its belly or spend a lot of time licking or chewing on its paws, according to the ASPCA.

Causes

If a dog experiences an allergic reaction after coming into contact with a carpet, it is usually allergic to either a cleaner that has been used on the carpet or to chemicals in brand new carpeting. If the carpet is new, then it is likely chemicals. If you have recently changed cleaning products, your dog could be sensitive to the new carpet cleaner you used, according to "The Complete Healthy Dog Handbook."

Treatment

The best way to deal with a carpet allergy in a dog is to remove the carpet from the dog's environment. If this is not possible, vacuuming the rug and using a cleaner that has not previously caused an allergic reaction in your dog will help remove the irritating agent. Bathing your dog with a colloidal oatmeal shampoo will remove the chemical from its skin and help to soothe its skin.

Considerations

An antihistamine can help relieve your dog's allergic symptoms. If the allergic reaction persists even after cleaning the carpet, contact your veterinarian. She can perform allergy testing to see if anything else is triggering the reaction. If your dog scratched itself during the allergic reaction, keep an eye on the scratches to be sure your dog does not develop a secondary skin infection.

References

• "The Complete Healthy Dog Handbook;" Betsy Brevitz; 2009
• ASPCA: Dog Allergies