How to Deal with Pet Allergies as a Pet Owner
Aug 29, 2023
It is common for people to have allergies to animals, foods, and environmental influences. You may not have heard about it before, but it is also common for dogs to have similar allergies! Dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages are susceptible to having or obtaining an allergy.
From the cause to types, to the treatment of an allergy in your dog, we'll cover it all in the following blog.
Types of Allergies in Dogs
What does an allergy look like in dogs? Allergies are misguided bodily reactions to foreign substances. The immune system sees something and responds in what it deems to be the right way, but it gets the formula wrong, so the body suffers. Here's a quick look at the different types to look for.
Food Allergies in Dogs
You may not think twice about giving your dog training treats or certain meals, but a food allergy is not out of the question. In dogs, though, most people identify food intolerances and mistake them for allergies. An allergic reaction means there's an immune response. This could be diarrhea, vomiting, gastrointestinal issues, skin conditions, facial swelling, etc.
With food sensitivity, an offensive flavor or ingredient will gradually cause a non-immune-based reaction in your bet. The problem is that these reactions can sometimes mimic those of an allergy.
If you've given your dog or puppy treats or food and notice a strange reaction, your best bet is to see a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis.
Dogs with Skin Allergies
Another name for skin allergies is allergic dermatitis. Of all the types of allergies a dog could have, these are the most common. You'll find it happening for three main reasons:
- Environmental allergens
- Flea allergy dermatitis
- Food allergies
Mold, dust, pollen, and other substances tend to be responsible for the first kind, also known as atopic dermatitis. These tend to be seasonal allergies that will likely affect the paws and areas but may also affect other sites.
Flea bites are responsible for flea allergy dermatitis since dogs can be allergic to the saliva of the insect. An affected dog will be very itchy, and this will typically happen at the tail's base. Skin reddening, inflammation, and scabbing may also occur.
There can be skin-based food allergies too. The ears and paws are usually affected as they become itchy. Gastrointestinal signs may also be present.
Acute Allergic Reactions
An acute allergic reaction is the one that requires the most significant level of concern. A dog can end up in anaphylaxis, just like a human being, if there is any severe allergic reaction. Left untreated, it can be fatal.
These reactions can come from vaccines, bee stings, and more. Keep an eye on your dog after any new vaccine, medicine, food, or treat (even if it's a "healthy treat"). Thankfully, anaphylactic reactions in dogs are infrequent.
Signs of Allergies in Dogs
Whether puppies or adult dogs, the symptoms of allergies differ and will often be based on the source of the problem. For example, if there's an acute anaphylactic reaction, the dog will experience a blood pressure drop followed by shock. Of course, this is quite different from a gastrointestinal condition, for example.
Generally speaking, any of the following may be signs of an allergic reaction:
- Sneezing
- Itchy ears
- Inflamed, red skin
- Swelling in the eyelids, ears, face, or earflaps
- Hives
- Itchiness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Runny and itchy eyes
- Consistent licking
- Chronic ear infections
Bear in mind that other conditions may also be responsible for similar systems, so it's highly recommended that you make an appointment with your veterinarian to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
How Dog Allergies Are Treated
The best treatment for allergies is always to avoid the cause going forward. If your dog is developing itchy skin from exposure to pollen, you may want to make whatever changes you can to prevent pollen exposure going forward. Similarly, if certain dental treats or dog chews are causing gastrointestinal issues, avoid feeding them to the dog going forward.
As far as the current systems go, the veterinarian will often prescribe a relief medication to provide comfort by alleviating the signs that have presented themselves.
A Healthy Diet Is an Important Part of a Long Life
Being on the lookout for allergies and making changes is one way to ensure that your dog remains healthy and happy. Even outside of allergies, though, nutrition deserves proper attention.
Complete and balanced meal options are essential, and this is one of the reasons hormone-free dog treats are recommended.
The healthiest dog treats are those that contain natural ingredients such as sweet potatoes, corn, meat by-products, berries, and more! These are also the safest dog treats since they're free from unhealthy additives and artificial ingredients.
Bully Sticks Are Healthy Dog Treats to Consider
You can't go wrong with the best bully sticks for dogs on the market! Sure, there are a lot of them on the market, but you're already in the right place at Bully Sticks Direct for treats that your dog or pup will love and that present the greatest health benefits.
Bully Sticks Direct provides all-natural dog treats in flavors that have the advantage of being steroid-free, antibiotic-free, hormone-free, and preservative-free!
These natural ingredient dog treats made in the USA are easy to chew and digest, even for pets that have sensitive stomachs. Additionally, they taste better and are consistently of high quality.
You Can't Go Wrong with Single Ingredient Dog Food Made in the USA
If you want even more reasons to opt for treats such as Bully Sticks Direct's offerings, these a probably some of the safest treats for dogs with allergies.
Don't take that to mean that a dog cannot be allergic to natural ingredients. However, it's a lot less likely that you see a reaction to something made from natural single ingredients than you are to see a reaction from a food that's a combination of natural and artificial compounds.
Look No Further Than Bully Sticks Direct for Your Healthy Dog Treat Needs
Bully Sticks Direct is more than just a place for dog treats that are healthy. We believe in the principle of family, and we understand that's what your pet is to you. When you are buying our treats, you want to know that your family member is being nourished and is enjoying them.
We get it because we have pets, too. We wouldn't be selling bully sticks for puppies or big dogs if we weren't comfortable feeding them to our own pets. There are way too many training treats and other foods out there that aren't catering to the health and longevity of pets, and that's our difference.
Your Dog's Health and Wellness is of Utmost Importance
One of the best things to do to prevent food allergies is to eliminate the interactions between your dog and the offensive ingredients. Nutrition is also important where non-allergy-causing foods are concerned.
Remember that the best treats for dogs are those that come from the best natural sources, which is what you get at Bully Sticks Direct. Too many treats out there don't cater to pet health and dog parents who care. Thankfully, we do care, and our catalog will show you that!
