by admin | March 16th, 2010
Dog skin allergies are more common than you might think. When your dog is scratching, it may not be from fleas but from allergies. These allergies can be difficult to handle, so here are some tips that will help you.
There can be many sources of dog skin allergies, so your first task is to identify what is causing the itching. What shampoo do you use on your dog? Is it hypo-allergenic? Do you use a flea spray on your dog? If the itching has suddenly started, it may be caused by a product you are applying to your dog. Or, it may be from a product that your dog is being exposed to such as a new laundry detergent or carpet freshening powder. So if you have changed laundry detergents and are washing your dog’s bedding with it, and then the dog lays down on or snuggles under the blanket, this can cause the problem.
Dog skin allergies can also be caused by something the dog is eating or ingesting. Have you changed your dog’s food lately? Are you giving your dog a new kind of treat or putting something in his water, such as a breath freshener? These items can lead to skin problems if the products don’t agree with your dog.
Insects can also cause allergies. Many dogs are allergic to fleas, so not only do they scratch the flea bites, but then the bites get infected and become red and irritated. The dog scratches even more and keeps the cycle going. Sometimes a medical condition is causing the allergy. In this case, you need to take your dog to the vet and she may prescribe an oral medication or cream to put on your dog. Sometimes all that is needed is adding a supplement to the dog’s diet or giving him a daily pill.
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