Dogs and Allergies - The Facts By Geoffrey English At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

If your dog is scratching himself all of the time, the culprit may be allergies. Just like humans have allergies that cause them to feel itchy, so do dogs. Dog allergies are a most likely cause if your dog is itching all year long and does not have fleas. There are other causes as to what causes an allergic reaction in your dog:

Dog Food

People are often allergic to some type of food. Dogs can also have food allergies, although this is the lease likely explanation when it comes to why a dog has allergies. One product in foods that can cause a reaction in dogs is soy. If you suspect that food allergies are the culprit, then eliminate dog foods with soy.

Try another type of dog food that has a different source of protein. Try this for a period of six weeks to see if there is any difference in the itching.

Mold

If you live in a humid climate and have an unventilated kitchen and bathroom, you may have mold spores in the house. Mold spores can cause a dog to itch. If the basement gets flooded, you can get black mold that can make everyone in the house very sick, including pets. There are many different types of mold that can grow in the house. You should try to avoid having mold in the house by keeping the humidity at a low level, fixing any leaks and using exhaust fans in the kitchen and the bathroom. Be sure to clean out dust and mildew in the bathrooms and other areas of the house.

Other Animals

Do you have a cat? Your dog may be allergic to your cat. Just as many people are allergic to cats, so are dogs. This is especially true if the cat is male and long haired. If you find that your dog is allergic to the cat and has reactions around her, you can use products that are made for cat allergies to bathe the cat on a regular basis. Cats do not like getting bathed, but this routine can provide relief not only for your dog, but others in the house as well.

Could It Be You?

If could be you! Yes, our skin flakes off and is an allergen. A great deal of dogs are allergic to humans. If this is the case, you can see if your vet will give your dog canine allergy shots. This can help him build up an immunity to your allergens.

If your dog is scratching and itching all of the time and the culprit is not fleas or dust mites, it may be you, other animals in the house, mold or his food. You should make sure that there are no underlying problems such as mites before you start to treat your dog for allergies. As is the case with humans, many dogs will outgrow their initial allergic reaction once they have been exposed to it repeatedly. Problems such as mold, however, should be addressed immediately, not only for the safety of your dog, but also for the safety of the family.

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