Itch, scratch, shake….. It bothers you that your dog will not sit still all day and spends his or her night restlessly pacing with those itches. South Africa has a moderate climate all year round, but we can still feel the season changes. Because of our warm climate our allergy risk period can sometimes be up to nine months of the year.
You might be wondering why I am talking about allergies on a pet site. Well guess what, your dog can suffer from allergies as well and can pose as a constant nuisance and irritation to dogs. Over 50% of allergies in dogs are caused by their environment and can be found anywhere and at any time of the year.
Human and dog can celebrate as there are some simple solutions to assist you and your dog keeping those allergies at bay. You may not be able to eliminate them completely, but enough to add to your pets comfort and happy lifestyle.
Dog Allergies prevention Tips
- Food, glorious food…..must be the best.
Feeding your dog the right food can have a significate difference to their allergic reactions. If the food is scientifically formulated it can reduce their exposure to allergens as it contains vitamins, zinc and fatty acids to support skin rejuvenation. Even if your dog is not prone to allergens, feeding them the right food will keep them in optimum health with a strong and shiny coat. - Keep your dog clean.
Keeping your dog clean is essential to avoid nasty allergens and bathe them at least one a week. Use a good allergen shampoo and bathe them in cold water, (luke warm if they really object) There are good hypoallergenic and gentle medicated shampoos available from your vet or local pet store. If your dog goes to a dog parlour, make sure they use the correct shampoo or even better take your own. - Keep your dogs bed clean
Washing your dog’s bedding every second week will really help with allergens. Wash them in hot water and make sure that are completely dry before you replace them on to the doggy bed. Vacuuming them in between will help keep them fresh and hair free. - Visit to the Vet
If you have tried all other methods it really is time to seek advice from your vet. Your vet can assist you with doing tests which may simply include using a tick and flea product. If that is not a solution they can do a smear test to look at the skin. This will be able to diagnose parasites, fungal or bacterial infections. They might prescribe pills, creams and even vitamins if your dog requires them.
Your dog is your best friend so keep them healthy and shiny by ridding irritants. Not only will their coats shine but their personalities will shine too.
