Allergies In Dogs

Just as humans experience an assortment of allergies, many pets, such as a dog may experience an allergy as well. It is agreed among professionals that specialize in the health of dogs, that there are at least five specific allergy types that a dog may experience in their lifetime. Common types of allergies in dogs include food allergy, reactions to fleas, and various forms of bacteria. A dog may also experience allergies that are related to inhaling certain irritants. Then, there are many dogs that may even suffer from allergies related to coming in contact with certain materials such as plastic, certain types of plants, and even grass. nnnWhen a dog experiences an allergy, they may display an assortment of symptoms. One of the first signs that a dog owner may recognize is that their pet seems to be scratching a lot. When an allergy occurs, it is quite common for the dog to experience a period of time in which their skin becomes extremely itchy. The next symptom that is often recognized by dog owners when their pet is experiencing an allergy is hair loss. The hair loss may be localized to one spot on the body, or it may occur in patches over the entire body. nnnAs you can see, the skin of a dog usually becomes quite sensitive when an allergy is experienced. Many pet owners will see their dogs licking their paws quite often when an allergy is occurring. This is a natural method that the dog uses in order to soothe the symptoms and discomfort of the allergy that they are experiencing. You may notice that your pet is starting to experience redness, swelling, and rashes on the surface of their skin when they are allergic to something. These symptoms are quite common. nnnIf a pet owner suspects that their dog is experiencing an allergy, the first thing that they should do is research the diet of the dog. There are many ingredients that are used in various types of dog foods that may cause reactions in the pet. Most of these ingredients are included in generic or cheap versions of dog foods. Just as many humans ingest toxins as a result of the way that particular foods are grown or processed, dogs suffer from allergies as a result of foods that are processed and created cheaply in order to sell the product at a discounted price. nnnThe digestive system of the dog is sensitive. It requires key ingredients and nutrients in order to function appropriately. When selecting food for your pet, it is important to select premium foods that are loaded with “real” ingredients that can provide the highest level of nutritional value possible. It is vital to avoid foods that contain products such as wheat and soy. If a dog experiences an allergy associated with generic and/or processed ingredients, they may suffer from some very uncomfortable symptoms. nnnApart from skin irritation and discomfort, an allergy related to poorly created food products can cause serious symptoms in a dog. These symptoms include severe vomiting, an increased amount of bowel movements each day that may become painful, and diarrhea, itching in the area of the anus, dehydration, and even seizures. Problems with the ears, such as infection and inflammation, are another common and uncomfortable symptom associated with food allergies in dogs. nnIf you are a pet owner, there are numerous ways that you can help to prevent allergies in dogs. It is important to ensure that you provide your animal with only the highest quality in foods. A dog should receive food that contains ingredients that are not processed. Having a diet with a high amount of nutrients, vitamins, and important minerals will help to allow your pet to remain healthy.nnCertain test can be done at your vet’s office or you may have to go to a specialist. From there, numerous tests can be performed to find the exact issue. Some tests will show certain ingredients in food, ingredients in cleaning products, or dust etc. It may be a process to weed out the exact cause but will be worth it in the long run for the comfort of your pet and your sanity.nnLori Matthews studies health, nutrition and wellness. She enjoys writing articles on health for both people and pets. Please visit Lifes Abundance Healthy Dog Food for more information.