Allergies in Dogs and Cats

What You Should Know About Pet Allergies in Dogs and Cats

So many people talk about having a pet allergy, where they have some type of allergic reaction when they are around pets or pet dander. What about when it is the other way around, when it is the pet that actually has the allergies?

If your pet has allergies, you will definitely want to make sure that you focus on ways that you can help to alleviate them. Allergies in pets are simply when their immune system has an inappropriate reaction to something. It can be caused by exposure to certain agents that are known as allergens. It is important for you to understand the causes of these allergies, because that will help you to find the best solution for your pet.

Causes of Allergies
Pet allergies can be caused by a variety of different things. Sometimes they can occur based on genetic disposition, but that usually isn’t the only factor that plays a part in it. Your pet’s environment and their nutrition are also important factors that can lead to allergies. There are four main ways that pets can be exposed to certain allergens that may cause an allergic reaction:

Many pets will have allergies to fleas and flea bites. Some people assume that a flea infestation is necessary in order for dogs and cats to have a reaction, but that isn’t the case. Sometimes all it takes is just one flea bite.

They may also have a reaction when they come into contact with something they are allergic to and it touches their skin. Commonly pets are allergic to grass, hay or certain chemicals.

Then, you have allergens that are inhaled, such as pollen, mold spores, dust or smoke.

Finally, they may have an allergy to certain foods that they eat.

Symptoms of Allergies
It is important to know the signs and symptoms of pet allergies, so that you can recognize them and treat your pet appropriately. While people will experience signs like a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes - pets don’t have the same signs. They usually have itchy skin, hair loss, and other issues with their skin. If you see them scratching, chewing and licking their skin, or losing patches of hair, then they may have an allergy to something.

When to See Your Vet
You may not feel the need to contact your Vet right away when you start to see the symptoms, but you really shouldn’t wait. After all, you don’t want your pet to have to a severe reaction because you let it go untreated. Talk to the Vet about your concerns, and they will likely be able to lead you in the right direction. It may mean making changes to your pet’s diet, or making adjustments to their environment. Either way, you don’t want to let it go untreated.

Treatment Options
There are a few treatment options to consider, but before you can even begin to treat the allergies you need to make sure that you know what they are allergic to. This can sometimes be easy to determine, but more often than not it will be quite tricky. There are certain tests that can be done, but this is something that your Vet will have to conduct. Once you know what they are allergic to, it is important to keep them away from these allergens. If you already know their allergies, then you can treat it with an antihistamine or a steroid, which are both prescribed by your Vet.

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