Allergies...Does Your Pet Have Them?

Many people are allergic to animals but what about your pets having allergies?  I'm sure some of you know what it is like to have a pet with allergies and what has to be done to figure out what they are allergic to but let's go through the process for those who may not know what's involved and are curious.

First, let me start out by saying if your pet has a tremendous amount of fur loss and appears to be suffering from severe itching, won't eat or is not eating normally, etc. please take him/her to the vet immediately. 

Now, lets look at some of the signs and symptoms of allergies.  Obviously itching is one of them.  Itchy watering eyes and red patches/pustules on the skin or between the toes are two more.  Here is what that could look like:

So how do you figure out what your pet is allergic to?  Well the first thing to think about is whether or not you have just introduced a new treat, food, shampoo or chemical into your home.  Having the carpets in your home cleaned can aggravate sensitive skin and your pet may be allergic to the chemicals used during that process.  Also, if you have started using a new pet shampoo your pet may be allergic to one of the ingredients. 

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-allergies.aspx

http://happytailsspa-blog.com/2009/11/18/what-is-my-dog-allergic-to/

Of course there is the obvious and that is food and treats.  It is completely possible for your dog to be allergic to rawhide (if you give them), bully sticks or literally any treat or food on the market.  Even if it says it's hypoallergenic there is always that possibility. 

So you haven't introduced anything new?  Well allergies can develop over time and are most common to appear between the ages of 1 and 4 years.  So how do we figure it out?  Well the first thing is to cut things down to the basics.  Cut out all treats, chews, etc. down to their food and water.  Do this for at least eight weeks.  It will be hard but it is necessary to figure out what's going on.  If the signs and symptoms go away then you know it's one of the treats or chews.  If it doesn't go away, then you know it's an ingredient in the food.

Assuming it's not the food, begin introducing one thing at a time for eight weeks at a time.  For example, introduce a training treat back into their diet for eight weeks  and if the symptoms do not return then you can introduce another treat or chew they are used to until you find the culprit.

If it IS the food then it is time for a trip or call to the vet to see if s/he can do some testing to find out what ingredient your pet is allergic to and go from there.  Food allergies, while common, can be difficult to diagnose without testing.  Sometimes it takes a dermatologist to do further allergy testing.
http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/caring-for-a-dog-that-has-food-allergies

 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=74

It is also possible that your pet is allergic to the same things you may be allergic to such as grass, mold, pollen, dust, etc. and will need allergy medication.  While this is not as common it is completely possible and something you should rule out when talking with your vet.

Above all, if you are nervous about your pet's appetite or condition please call your vet because there is nothing more important than their health so you shouldn't risk it if they are not eating and/or drinking normally or not acting appropriate or something just "doesn't feel right" to you as their parent because you ultimately know them best.

Let us know your thoughts, comments or questions.  We'd love to hear from you!  Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and Flipbook!  Your family and friends who have pets or are just curious about animals might want to follow us so be sure to tell them about us too.  As always, thanks for reading!