Common Pet Allergies and How to Treat Them

Common Pet Allergies and How to Treat Them

Did you know your pet can have allergies, just like people do? Read on to learn the common causes of pet allergies and how to treat them.

Is your pet dealing with allergies?

It’s something every pet owner has to deal with eventually. All of a sudden, your friendly critter has come down with a serious case of pet allergies!

It can get rocky, and the reasons your pets have allergies vary, but staying at home is a major cause. This leads to their immune system not recognizing harmless substances. This makes their body slower in fighting against these.

Your fur babies won’t know why they’re having an allergic reaction. But you’ve got a secret weapon; down below we’ve listed some common pet allergies.

Read on to make sure your furry friend gets better in no time.

1. Food Allergy

Food allergies are some of the most common pet allergies among dogs and cats. 

While often mistaken for food intolerance, there’s a difference between the two. Food intolerance may lead to being averse to food, but it doesn’t involve the immune system. 

The real problem of food allergies is when the immune system fights the enemy (food) each time. This often ends up resulting in worse health problems for your pets.

Pet allergy symptoms but not limited to:

• Eye discharge
• Ear and paw infection
• Red eyes
• Itchy skin and rashes
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Our pets, being pets, may have eaten almost anything that could trigger an allergic reaction. The cure is more of a method than a one-time cure-all. The most common way to treat food allergies is with an elimination diet. 

The elimination diet is where you try to identify exactly what kind of food they are allergic to. It often takes days or even weeks to know the source of the allergic reaction. This is best done with veterinarian help to minimize risks and to make your pet more comfortable.

2. Seasonal Allergy

If you notice your pet getting rashes and itching around certain times of the year, it could be seasonal allergies acting up.

The allergens that could be causing it could range from pollen, grass, and mold to fungi. If your pet is active outside, then they may have had a run-in.

Things can get serious here if your pet tries to lick their skin to relieve the itchiness. That’s a quick way to receive a bacterial infection. If that happens, it’s advisable to go see your veterinarian immediately to get it treated.

Symptoms include but are not limited to:

• Watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Frequent sneezing
• Ear infection

To treat this, a skin test helps veterinarians create a serum to grant your pet immunity to allergens. This could stop the allergic reaction from acting up again. Regular bathing your pet also helps wash away most allergens that might stick to their fur and skin.

Some medications help ease their symptoms like antihistamines. But keep in mind that it’ll have different reactions depending on the pet. As an option, you can use CBD oil for dogs with allergies to reduce itching, inflammation, and anxiety.

Remember, always consult with your veterinarian before trying any medicine on your pet.

3. Inhalant Allergies 

This is an airborne allergy also known as atopy or atopic dermatitis. 

Inhalant and seasonal allergies are often compared to one another. But the leading difference between them is that an inhalant allergy can happen all year round.

An inhalant allergy also occurs when the allergen is constantly around your pet. This makes diagnosing the specific reason why difficult because it could be anything. It may get worse as inhalant allergies often develop, later on, making your pets allergic to something they weren’t before.

Symptoms might include but are not limited to:

• Red bumps on the skin
• Itchy skin
• Hotspots in certain parts of the body
• Biting and licking at their skin
• Hair loss

The pet allergy treatments for inhalant allergies will vary depending on the severity of the symptoms. Pet allergy tests often have the vet injecting an allergen inside and waiting for a response. 

The more direct method is to do some blood tests by getting samples from your pet and finding the antibodies. If the numbers of antibodies are high enough, then you can determine what is causing the allergy.

In the case of airborne allergies picked up through the skin, there are procedures like shampoo therapy. Here, you wash your pet with a hypoallergenic shampoo your vet recommends.

Keep in mind, however, that frequent washing dries out your pet’s skin and may lead to other problems.

4. Flea Allergy Dermatitis 

Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is a hypersensitivity to pests like a flea. Fleas thrive in various climates and are not easy to get rid of. 

When fleas bite, they inject their host with their saliva. This saliva feels irritating and itchy for your pets, but this doesn’t always mean that they have a flea allergy. 

With that said, you may still want to check for allergies. After all, it only takes one bite to trigger an allergic reaction.

Flea allergy symptoms can include:

• Severe itching
• Frequent scratching
• Flea bites
• Hair loss
• Skin Rashes

If you see signs or symptoms of a flea infestation, immediately take action. Visit your vet so they can do some skin or blood tests. This determines whether your pet has fleas or not.

Fleas could live anywhere, so make sure to clean and vacuum every nook and cranny of your house. A flea collar also helps get rid of fleas because it exudes a scent that repels them.

To soothe your pet’s itching, use a topical or injected medicine that heals damage done by excessive scratching. You can use pet shampoo to help ease the itching and reduce rashes.

How to Treat Pet Allergies: Now You Know 

Here are the common pet allergies and how you can treat them the right way!

We do recommend talking to your vet first before taking medications and treatments. In this way, you can be sure you get the best medical care for your pets.

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