Think back for a moment to the last time you suffered from an intense bout with acne. Not even just a full blown case, but maybe the last time you had a pimple you worked tirelessly to cover up before it turned into more, or worse, a rash of them. Hopefully you are thinking back to a time long gone, such as high school before senior picture day. Putting the embarrassment factor aside, those bad skin reactions were tough just medicate on their own. While it may not be the most natural segue, try thinking about what it would be like to be have dog skin allergies. As a dog you don't get the luxury of applying medicine calmly or locating the spot. All you can do is scratch and rub your back hoping to soothe the itching. Does not sound fun does it?
Only, dog skin allergies are really just as severe as a human's problem and can be a burden.
The worst part is that they have a broad and confusing range of symptoms and side effects. This makes the problem rather undetectable as most dogs are fit with protective coats of hair all over. Sometimes their scratching problems do not actually appear to be major problems but just the habit of an animal.
That is how dog skin allergies seem to turn up. The dog might attract the allergy from a random source, and then the days go by that he or she is experiencing the effects of the allergy. Only no one exactly notices because there is nothing visible, and there is nothing out of the ordinary about a dog taking its hind leg to the back of the ear. In fact, it could be more alarming if your pet is not demonstrating such a habitual love.
But, dog skin allergies are serious and can be brought on by many factors.
First of all there is the ever popular intrusion of fleas. These usually cause the greatest form of scratching for a dog. As well, this is the assumed problem for most dogs. That said, one might just go ahead trying to treat an allergy problem as if it is just another flea problem.
Next, we have the weirder, less obvious allergens that come in from dust mites left behind, weird bugs in the grass, or just regular pollen. There is no telling what they can do at an exterior level considering dogs don't have to ingest a potential allergen for it to cause a serious reaction.
Lastly, there are your basic food allergens. These can result from the brand of food you have your dog on, whether it is wet food or raw food. Or, they can result from giving your dog that table scrap he or she begged so intently for.
Just so you are not left in the dark though, let's talk about some quick symptoms in addition to the causes other than increased scratching. Those would include swelling, which will be most noticeable around the eyes, hives, and rashes.
And that's it. Now, we know this means you have a whole other can of worms to work with, but it is for good measure. By having a handle on dog skin allergies, one can hopefully prevent distress for their dog and bolster the kind of life he or she leads. We think that is something that counts.
Only, dog skin allergies are really just as severe as a human's problem and can be a burden.
The worst part is that they have a broad and confusing range of symptoms and side effects. This makes the problem rather undetectable as most dogs are fit with protective coats of hair all over. Sometimes their scratching problems do not actually appear to be major problems but just the habit of an animal.
That is how dog skin allergies seem to turn up. The dog might attract the allergy from a random source, and then the days go by that he or she is experiencing the effects of the allergy. Only no one exactly notices because there is nothing visible, and there is nothing out of the ordinary about a dog taking its hind leg to the back of the ear. In fact, it could be more alarming if your pet is not demonstrating such a habitual love.
But, dog skin allergies are serious and can be brought on by many factors.
First of all there is the ever popular intrusion of fleas. These usually cause the greatest form of scratching for a dog. As well, this is the assumed problem for most dogs. That said, one might just go ahead trying to treat an allergy problem as if it is just another flea problem.
Next, we have the weirder, less obvious allergens that come in from dust mites left behind, weird bugs in the grass, or just regular pollen. There is no telling what they can do at an exterior level considering dogs don't have to ingest a potential allergen for it to cause a serious reaction.
Lastly, there are your basic food allergens. These can result from the brand of food you have your dog on, whether it is wet food or raw food. Or, they can result from giving your dog that table scrap he or she begged so intently for.
Just so you are not left in the dark though, let's talk about some quick symptoms in addition to the causes other than increased scratching. Those would include swelling, which will be most noticeable around the eyes, hives, and rashes.
And that's it. Now, we know this means you have a whole other can of worms to work with, but it is for good measure. By having a handle on dog skin allergies, one can hopefully prevent distress for their dog and bolster the kind of life he or she leads. We think that is something that counts.
About the Author:
Jennifer is a dog health consultant who specializes in hot spots treatment. Check out her Website for more information!
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