Dog Allergy Symptoms

 Dogs have been Man’s best friend since the dawn of time, providing us with security, companionship and and assistance for so little in return. All they ask of us is food and attention which we are more than happy to give, but what about the things they don’t ask for? For instance, did you know that dogs can fall victims to all kinds of allergies just as you and I can? It’s true, and not always apparent to even attentive dog owners. The best thing you can do as a dog owner is to always be alert to your dog’s behavior and look for the various dog allergy symptoms.

 Before we look at dog allergy  symptoms, we have to first look at the types of allergies and their causes. The allergies themselves can be broken up into five main groups: contact, flea, food, bacterial and inhalant allergies.

Common Dog Allergies

• Inhalant allergies are aggravated the same way regular human allergies are by inhaling pollens, dust or other irritants into the nose or mouth.

• Flea allergies are those caused not just by a flea infestation, but the dog’s allergic reaction to the bites themselves.
• Food allergies are another allergy humans and dogs have in common, brought on by ingesting foods that the dog is allergic to.
• Contact allergies are caused by physically coming into contact with an irritant
• Bacterial allergies are similar to contact in that they are caused by coming into contact with a bacteria that causes irritation.

Once we understand where these allergies come from, dog allergy symptoms can be rather easily recognized. The most common symptom that dogs show is itching of the skin which can cause your canine companion to scratch, bite or lick the affected area. This is most commonly caused by flea, contact and bacterial allergies but can be present with any kind. The second most prevalent symptom involves the dog’s respiratory system where you will see your dog “coughing” or “sneezing” and can also be seen as discharge from the eyes or nose. The third symptom most commonly seen with allergies is an internal symptom which will not show until your dog vomits or has a case of diarrhea. The third symptom is most often found with food allergies.

 One thing to remember with all of this, however, is that the breed and age of dogs can easily cause changes in how the symptoms present themselves or whether or not it will be an abnormal behavior for the breed or even the particular dog. Some breeds with different fur lengths or skin types might be prone to dry skin or excessive itching without being an actual symptom or an allergy. Another key fact is that dogs become more susceptible to allergies manifesting or seasonal allergies turning into year round allergies as your dog gets older. The easiest most important way to diagnose whether or not these are dog allergy symptoms or just a peculiarity of your pet pooch is to consult your local veterinarian for a professional opinion.

 Through vigilance and attentiveness, even a casual pet owner will have little trouble distinguishing when their furry friend is displaying dog allergy symptoms . Whether the symptom is itching and scratching, respiratory distress or diarrhea/vomiting it is up to the owner to see these symptoms and make the important decision to see a vet. Just remember that your pet is guaranteed to be grateful that you are looking after them just as they are looking after you .