Canine allergy symptoms often tend to be similar, distinct from the cause of the allergy, and this doesn’t help when it comes to figuring out the cause of the problem. However, there are small indicators to be aware of if you think your dog has an allergy, and these can be used to determine a probable cause.
Dogs are no different than humans when it comes to allergies, and dog allergy symptoms are very similar to ours: sneezing, itchy, watery eyes. However, we humans generally have a rough idea of what is causing our allergy, and we also know we have it, but your poor dog has no idea what is causing that horrible itch.
It sure can’t tell you, so let’s take a look at the most common canine allergy symptoms and how they can be used to determine what’s causing them. ‘Maybe’ is used because dog allergies are notoriously difficult to diagnose, but the dog itself might help you.
Itching, redness, and scratching
The itching is caused by skin irritation and causes the dog to scratch the affected area. This turns it red and maybe even inflamed if the dog starts snapping and biting in irritation. As the inflammation develops and the immune system kicks into gear, the dog can get really agitated and distressed. The skin may break and be subject to bacterial contamination causing pustules to form.
There are two main causes of these dog allergy symptoms: contact allergens, such as fleas, and food allergies. It is not so much the ‘flea bite’ that causes these symptoms, although it can be irritating, but the flea saliva. A flea bite is not an allergic reaction, but many dogs will have an allergic reaction to the flea’s saliva, which is used to prevent blood from clotting while the flea feeds.
Other contact allergens include detergents, hair (including human hair), and some airborne allergens that land on the skin, such as pollen, dust mites, and other types of dust; They affect dogs in the same way as humans. The behavior of dogs suffering from any type of irritating itch is to scratch and rub their fur against the ground, especially a rug or something a bit rough. Dogs sometimes sit and walk with their front and back paws on the ground when they have an itchy backside.
Unfortunately, food allergies in dogs can cause the exact same symptoms, but the “sign” here is that a dog may also vomit, have loose stools, or the abnormal behavior can often coincide with a change in food. If you notice this and change the food back to normal then the problem should go away. Alternatively, try only canned food, preferably organic if you can afford it, and that should cure a food allergy.
Teary eyes, paws licking
Just as humans are affected by pollen, hay fever is also a form of allergy to dogs. Their skin can become irritated, so they can scratch with most of the above symptoms, but the “sign” here is that bitches are more affected than dogs, and their eyes tend to water just like humans. Not only that, but another specific symptom of canine allergy is paw licking.
They do this to relieve itchy paws, and you should carefully examine your feet because ticks and fleas can be picked up from grass, and of course dogs don’t usually wear shoes, so they can get all sorts of infections when they do. are out, not just the allergens. However, when walking in fields of clover, or even among daisies and buttercups in your garden, they may experience severe pollen itching, in which case their eyes may not water but they will be seen to be licking their paws excessively, and sometimes even. nibbling on them
So while it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of dog allergy symptoms, you can reduce it by keeping your eyes open and observing your dog’s behavior. You can usually tell a contact allergen from a food allergy, and hay fever can often be diagnosed based on the time of year, your dog’s exposure, and the way his eyes water or he licks his paws .
However, if you are unsure and your dog is suffering from and exhibiting extreme dog allergy symptoms, you should play it safe and visit the vet.