Dog Allergies

Dog allergies are common but usually undetected health issues in our canine friends. Just like in humans, dogs develop allergies when their immune systems react to something in their immediate environment. Dogs suffering from such allergies portray some obsessive scratching either through out the body or on specific body areas, regurgitation of food, breathing issues, jerky motions or loose bowels. Some dogs develop ocular (eye) or nasal discharges. Unless a pet owner is very keen on the dogs behavior, most of these can be easily ignored.

The five vet-identified causes of dog allergies are Inhalant, bacterial, food, flea and contact. Such include molds, pollen, dust and mites. Digestive allergies are mainly caused by contents of commercial dog foods, which may contain digestive parasites. Bacteria allergies may be more serious causing loss of hair on the dogs skin. While visiting the vet is advisable, pet owners can start by trying some of the home remedies that may ease the seriousness of the dog allergies.

An oat meal bath is a proven relief for allergies manifested through scratching. This involves mixing oatmeal in cold water and using this mixture to wash the skin of the dog. The oatmeal relieves the scratching by providing a lubrication layer on the dogs skin. Allergies related to insect bites are easily relieved using baking soda, aloe Vera, eucalyptus or Epsom salts. Whatever remedy the pet owner decides to use should be dissolved in cool water and the dog bathed in the same. A dog that suffers from flea-related allergies should have a flea repellant applied on its skin. Home-made flea repellant solutions include boiled and cooled rosemary leaves. One cans also use apple cider vinegar as a flea repellant. Crushing garlic into the dogs food may also help drive away fleas. When the scratching is around the ears, swabbing the ears with cotton swabs soaked in mineral oils will help relieve the allergy, which is most probably caused by mites.

The good news to dog owners is that dog allergies are less common than cat allergies. More to this, dog allergies are more manageable with or without the intervention of a vet. Some of the effective ways of managing the dog allergies include bathing the dog regularly, wiping it with a wet towel on days when its not bathed, and ensuring that the air in a room where the dog lives is clean. Additionally, carpets in the room should be vacuumed or washed regularly. Dogs suffering from bacterium allergies should be treated with the appropriate antigen.