How to Care for a Dog Who Has Allergies

Canine allergies are a lot like human allergies - dogs can react to things in the air, in their food or on their skin. Learn to recognize canine allergy symptoms, then provide your dog with needed relief. Here are a few steps to alleviate your furry friend's allergies.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Look for allergy symptoms in your dog. The most common signs of an allergy to inhalants or fleas are frequent itching, chewing and biting, especially on the tail, the stomach, and the insides of the hind legs, as well as licking and chewing the paws. Inhaled allergies can also result in sneezing, coughing and watery eyes. Vomiting and diarrhea are usually symptoms of food allergies. Hives and rashes can be symptoms of various types of allergies.

2. Consider the season: Inhaled allergies erupt in the spring and fall. Flea allergies are most prominent during the flea season. (Summer is flea season in most areas.)

3. Take your dog to a veterinarian if you observe any of the above symptoms, especially vomiting or diarrhea, as they could be caused by a more serious underlying medical condition.

4. If you suspect an allergy to food, realize that typical canine food allergens include corn, beef, dairy products, wheat and soybeans. Talk to your veterinarian about putting your dog on a special protein diet to determine which food your dog is reacting to. Follow the veterinarian's guidelines to gradually introduce other foods into the diet until the allergen is found. Your veterinarian may also recommend food allergy tests to find the allergen.

5. If you suspect an allergy to inhalants, vacuum and dust frequently. Culprits include dust, mold spores, pollen grains, and household chemicals such as carpet cleaner and air fresheners. Treat your dog to a cool bath, and shampoo or rinse with aloe vera or oatmeal to help soothe the itchy skin. Your veterinarian may also recommend antihistamines or drugs to keep the itching at bay while the skin heals and the allergen is diminished.

6. Check your dog for fleas, as your dog could be suffering from flea bite dermatitis (an allergy to a flea's saliva). Careful grooming and frequent examinations, not only for fleas but flea droppings, can help alleviate this allergy. Ask your vet about flea products such as sprays, shampoos, topicals and pills. Again, an oatmeal or aloe vera bath can help soothe the itching.

7. Consider the possibility of contact allergies. Some dogs are allergic to bedding (cedar wood chips and wool are two possible offenders), grass, or plastic food bowls. If your dog has acne on his chin and uses a plastic feeding bowl, consider switching to a steel, glass or ceramic feeding bowl.

Tips & Warnings

• It only takes one or two flea bites to set off a dog's allergies to fleas.

• Certain dog breeds are more prone to allergies than others. If buying a purebred dog, ask the owner whether the parents have allergies, since allergies are inherited.

• Bring your dog to the veterinarian when the itching first manifests itself to avoid the possibility of secondary skin infections, which can be caused by excess chewing and scratching.

• Never apply flea products to irritated or broken skin; the chemicals could further irritate and injure the skin.