Can Pets Have Allergies?

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You’re not the only one suffering from allergies this summer! Your pet may be experiencing uncomfortable seasonal allergy symptoms as well. 

Your pet needs appropriate medical care to prevent and minimize the discomfort that develops due to seasonal allergies. Here’s what you should know to keep your furry friend comfortable during allergy season and beyond.

Signs Your Pet Has Allergies 

Pets experience allergies a bit differently than humans. Rather than the respiratory tract symptoms that people experience, dogs and cats are prone to skin irritation and inflammation called allergic dermatitis. 

You may notice your pet struggling with very itchy skin and the following symptoms: 

  • Scratching excessively
  • Biting and chewing certain spots
  • Rubbing against vertical or horizontal surfaces to stop itching 

Unfortunately, this itch and scratch cycle causes your pet’s skin to become even more inflamed and tender to the touch. Your pet will eventually experience hair loss, scabbing, and open sores on the skin if his allergies are not treated. 

How to Treat Your Pet’s Seasonal Allergies

There are many steps you can take at home to fight your pet’s allergies. First, give your pet weekly baths with a grain-free shampoo. This helps to wash away allergens on the coat and skin. Baths are best for dogs who spend time playing outside every day. 

It’s important not to over-bathe your dog and cause dry skin, so try supplementing full baths with foot soaks. Soak your dog’s paws each time he returns inside. This will reduce the amount of allergens being tracked into your house and spread through the indoor environment. 

Other at-home preventative steps include carefully vacuuming and cleaning the places in your home where your pet spends the most time, using an anti-inflammatory diet that is low in grain content, and adding omega-3 fatty acids into your pet’s diet to decrease inflammation. 

Of course, taking your pet to his vet is another essential step to fighting seasonal allergies. Your experienced and compassionate vet at Affordable Pet Hospital in Tampa, Florida. will help you identify which supplements, enzymes, diet choices, and other changes will help your pet enjoy the most relief possible. Call Affordable Pet Hospital today at (813) 991-9898 to make an appointment.