Does Your Dog Display Signs of Allergies?
We have a dog that has been to the vet for a regular check-up and is in good health. She goes for her walks every day in the morning and usually whichever one of us, myself or my husband, have to almost run to keep up with her. She’s a beautiful, energetic, loving creature. And she has little quirks that are endearing. When she sleeps, sometimes she makes a ‘mmm mmm’ sound. I mentioned this to my husband the other day and he laughed. He likes it when she makes that sound too. I think it means that in her dog world, she’s content. Sometimes, if we’re at the door to go our for our walk, she barks to say “Come on already!”. I think it’s here way of showing who’s boss. More recently, I noticed she licks her paws. I couldn’t figure out how to interpret this. I’ve just found out that means she might have a dog allergy.
Here’s what I’ve found out about dog allergies so far. Dog allergies are increasingly common.
Dogs can be allergic to, among other things, pollen, food additives, mites, flea bites and insects. Allergens that are inhaled, eaten or that get on dog’s body cause the immune systems to produce a protein called IGE, which releases histamines. The no. 1 dog allergen, called Can f 1, is primarily found in dog saliva. Then there’s dog albumin, a protein found in the blood. Even dogs that are considered allergy-free can suddenly come down with them.
Here’s what you want to be on the look-out for with your dog. A dog that sneezes or scratches itself, not surprisingly, possibly has an allergy. Similarly, a dog that licks its feet or rubs its face on the carpet probably has an allergy as well. This is your dog’s way of trying to relieve the itch associated with the allergy. Flees, hair loss and scabs and sores are also red alerts for allergies.
Regular dog baths, at least once or twice a week, helps reduce much of the allergens released from the animal. It’s also a good idea to wipe the dog with a wet cloth or hand towel daily. You also need to read the ingredients in canned dog food. One solution is to buy hypoallergenic dog food from the vet’s. Typically you can only buy this kind of specialty dog food from the vet’s. Another is to use homemade dog food.…