The most frustrating feeling as a dog parent is not being able to communicate with your pup when they’re uncomfortable. How much easier would it be if they could just tell us what’s bothering them?

The sad face and whining or withdrawn behavior can be a major cause for concern, and rightfully so!

While a talking dog doesn’t seem like a possibility for us anytime soon, it’s best to keep yourself informed on certain things that cause significant discomfort in dogs, namely allergies.

How Allergies Work

Allergic reactions occur when a body’s protective cells mistaken harmless substances present around us as a threat. To eliminate the supposed threat, these cells start to aggressively produce antibodies that are specialized cells equipped to fight off bacteria and viruses.

The attack on harmless substances leads to your body getting inflamed and itchy, which can cause allergy symptoms which range from mild to severe. This is the case in both humans and dogs. So, it’s important to be a diligent dog parent and understand the different kinds of allergies that dogs are likely to suffer from.

Flea Allergies

One of the most common causes of discomfort and allergies in dogs is flea infestation. Flea saliva tends to have a protein that could significantly irritate the skin of sensitive dogs, and it could take as little as one small bite for your dog to be itching all over their body. While flea infestations occur the most during the warmer summer months, they’re not exclusive to one particular time of the year and can develop in other months as well.

The rear half of your dog, immediately near the base of their tail, is one of the itchiest spots if they’re dealing with a flea infestation. Flea allergic dermatitis will send your dog into a scratching frenzy and make them very irritable. Additionally, if you have other dogs in the house, the flea infestation can spread through flea eggs and significantly increase the problem at hand. It’s essential to take your dog to a vet immediately and find the best treatment for their condition.

Inhalant Allergies

Just like humans, dogs can also suffer from allergies caused by environmental allergens. This could lead to a lot of itching for your dog, just like we go into a sneezing frenzy when we are exposed to environmental allergens like pollen and dust mites.

For dogs, many natural substances can be causing them to feel uncomfortable and itchy. It could include anything including dust, dust mites, pollen, grass, mold, and various plants. Due to it affecting nearly 20% of dogs, it’s the second most common allergy dogs face.

One of the disadvantages of inhalant allergies is that you can’t avoid things like grass or pollen in the air. This is a nuisance even for humans! The best you can do is get a veterinary diagnosis and use the advice they give to soothe the itching anytime it occurs.

Food Allergies

Food allergies, unlike flea and inhalant allergies, are not as common for dogs. More often than not, the reason behind your dog’s food allergy might be a protein found in most commercial dog food. It’s essential you buy high-quality food that will not irritate or upset your dog or make your meals yourself. Just ensure your dog gets the proper nutrition it needs.

A common confusion for dog owners is when they conflate an allergic reaction (which causes itchiness) to being the same as a dog’s extreme reaction from eating toxic food. Most allergic reactions will cause itchiness and discomfort; however, eating food that can be toxic, such as a cherry that contains cyanide, can be potentially lethal if consumed. Additionally, cherry pits can even cause blockages in your dog’s intestines. So, it’s important to take extra precautions when it comes to what your dog may be eating.

Contact Dermatitis

One of the least common allergies found in dogs is contact dermatitis, which is when your dog’s body is irritated or inflamed when they come in contact with an allergen. This usually isn’t a problem dogs face due to their fur, which acts as a protective layer to their skin. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not something that could occur.

Most contact dermatitis will happen in thinly furred areas, and you can make it out from the obvious inflammation. The easiest thing you can do is take your dog to the vet to ensure the inflammation isn’t too severe.

Originally posted 2021-07-16 09:24:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter