Like humans, pets can have allergic reactions. Your pets typically exhibit their allergic reactions by scratching or licking themselves excessively, sneezing, or suddenly vomiting, or having diarrhea. Pet allergies, especially those in dogs, are one of the primary reasons why people visit the vet. Allergies in pets, much like humans, will usually affect both their skin and ears. Humans might outgrow their allergies as they get older. However, the reverse is normally the case in your pet, as allergies in pets will typically get worse as they get older.
Common Pet Allergies
A common pet allergy is a flea allergy. It will affect your pet's skin. Being bitten by just one or two fleas every seven days is enough to make your pets itch. It is believed that the flea's saliva is what causes the allergen.
Your pets can experience seasonal allergies. These can be triggered by substances in your home, in your yard, and other places where your pet spends time. They may inhale pollen or absorb the allergens through their skin.
Food allergies are prevalent. Your pet may be okay eating a particular food for many years and then suddenly develop an allergy. The most common food allergy for dogs is the protein source used in pet food. If you think that your pet has allergies, you should take them to the veterinarian to get them evaluated.
How to Know If Your Pet Has an Allergy
Indications that your pet has an allergy include constant licking or rubbing their face. If your pet is losing its fur or has reoccurring infections in its skin or ears, this might be caused by constant scratching due to allergies. Red, itchy, or irritated skin is another indication of allergies.
Before determining that your pet has an allergy, your vet will try to rule out other reasons your dog may have specific symptoms. It is challenging to use allergy testing to determine if your pet has environmental allergies, but allergy testing may show that your pet is allergic to something in particular, meaning something that you and your pet can avoid.
Testing your pet for allergies will require that your pet be sedated. Small amounts of different allergens are injected into your pet's skin. Based on the allergic reaction, the vet will determine how allergic your animal is to different substances. They will then be able to begin a treatment protocol to help your furry friend.
Anyone who lives with untreated allergies knows how frustrating it can be to struggle day to day while feeling itchy, sore, and constantly uncomfortable. Your furry friend feels the same way. However, they are not able to communicate with you that there is a problem. Therefore, as a good pet owner, you want to monitor your pet's behavior. If you notice signs that they might have allergies, take steps to help them feel better.
