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Different Types and Causes of Dog Allergies

There are many different kinds of dog allergies. The classifications are based on the underlying cause of the allergy. Dog allergies differ based on the allergens, or whatever it is that caused the allergic reaction from your dog’s system.

* Allergies to inhalants

Your dog may get irritated by factors that can be found in its surrounding environment. This can be a pretty challenging type of allergy to manage. If your dog is allergic to dust, it would be a bit hard to make sure your dog is safe from inhaling dust. This is also the hardest type of allergy to diagnose.

* Allergies to food

Your dog’s system may not be readily compatible with some dog foods. Since dog foods contain a variety of ingredients, your dog may have an allergic reaction to one or a number of ingredients in the dog food that you give it. Mostly, the ingredients of dog food include beef, chicken, pork, milk, wheat, and many others. Also, if you serve other kinds of food to your dog aside from dog food, be careful about the ingredients as well.

* Allergies to fleas

Flea allergies are pretty easy to diagnose. Aside from excessive scratching, flea allergies are usually characterized by scabs and sore spots. If your dog has fleas, then there is a pretty high chance that it also has flea allergies.

* Allergies to bacteria

Most dogs are exposed to bacteria. However, if your dog is highly sensitive, it can have allergic reactions to bacteria. This can also lead to more serious infections, so it should be treated as soon as it is diagnosed.

How to Know If Your Dog is Allergic to Something

Dog allergies are very much like human allergies. Both allergies show the same set of symptoms. The top symptom of dog allergies is scratching, which is a very common symptom of human allergies as well. If your dog is constantly scratching itself such that it already causes concern, it might already be an allergy. Your dog may also react to the itchy feeling by licking the infected area. Be sensitive enough to know when your dog’s scratching and licking are out of the ordinary. You can also detect dog allergies through other symptoms such as sneezing and any abnormality pertaining to its eating habit, bowel movement or breathing. Some types of dog allergies can also cause hair loss. Another telltale sign is when your dog becomes teary-eyed or suffers from a runny nose for no reason at all.

Treating Your Dog’s Allergies

To treat allergies in dogs, identifying the main cause of the allergy is very important. Food allergies can be treated by identifying which ingredient is the main cause of the allergy. Atopy or allergies caused by inhalants can be treated in several ways. If it is not possible to avoid the main cause of the allergy, antihistamine medications, allergy vaccines, and cold baths can relieve the allergy. Flea allergies, on the other hand, should not just be relieved. This is a pretty irritating type of allergy, so it is better to completely remove the cause fleas. Consult your veterinarian for medications that can help eliminate fleas. Bacterial allergies can also be treated in the same way by eliminating the main cause. Antibiotics are your best bet against bacterial allergies.