Typical and Atypical Allergies in Dogs

Many dogs suffer from allergies.

Humans are not the only ones who suffer from allergies -- dogs do, too. More often than not, these allergic reactions are more irritating than life-threatening.

Exposure to Allergens

Exposure to allergens can occur by ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact.

Types of Allergens

Many types of allergens can affect your dogs, including grass, trees, weed pollen, mold, animal dander, household dust mites, fleas, feathers, certain types of bacteria, various chemicals, and even certain foods.

Atypical Dog Allergies

Certain animal foods can allergies in dogs.

The three most atypical (abnormal/uncommon) forms are food allergies (offending foods usually includes beef, chicken, milk, eggs, corn, wheat, and soy) and bacterial allergies (abnormal response to normal skin bacteria called genus Staphylococcus. Dogs may develop ringworms, skin lesions, and hair loss), and contact allergies (localized skin reactions causing swelling, redness, itching, and hair loss. It can occur from flea collars, pet sweaters, food bowls, and wool bedding).

Typical Dog Allergies

Although dogs may develop all different sorts of allergies, the most common are inhalant allergies and flea allergies.

Symptoms

Symptoms include itching, scratching, respiratory problems, wheezing, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, red and watery eyes, vomiting, and diarrhea.

References

• Dog Allergies: Everything About Dog Allergies
• Petwellbeing.com: Dog Allergies - Signs and Symptoms

Resources

• How to Manage Dog Allergies With Home Remedies
• American Veterinary Medical Association: Animal Health for Dogs