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Being a pet owner, you consider your dogs or cats often as much a part of the family as any other member. For some, pets are their furry babies whom they nurture and grow with care and love. In some aspects, pets share similar physical traits and conditions as human beings.
Skin allergies and itching are the common similarities between humans and our furry friends. If your dog or cat is constantly scratching, rubbing his face on the carpet, or licking himself all the time, he may have allergies just like you do.
In dogs, allergies are one of the most common health issues. One way to keep your dog healthy is to understand the causes of allergies and how to reduce allergy symptoms. You can also use Apoquel for your dog’s itching and allergies.
Moreover, below are some of the tips that can help you take better care of your dogs and avoid issues like skin allergies and itching.
Table of Contents
Be Aware of What Causes Allergies
Before you dig into the solutions and medicines for skin allergies and itching in your dogs, you need to know the causes of these issues in the first place. Allergies are an unstable immune response that happens when your dog’s body identifies something as a foreign element or threat. Then, the immune system introduces antibodies known as IgE (immunoglobulin E) to fight off this perceived threat.
This can lead to skin allergies and itching if your dog has been exposed to something he has been allergic to. Dust mites, pollen, and food are some of the most common allergens – but the list doesn’t end here. Allergies can also be caused by chemicals like flea shampoo or insect bites like those from mosquitoes and other insects, as well as irritants like certain fabrics or even natural sunlight exposure.
Ask Your Vet About Treatments for Dogs With Allergies
If you witness skin allergies or itching in your dog, your best bet would be to visit your veterinarian. Your vet will perform some required tests to confirm whether your dog actually has an allergy and which one(s) he is reacting to.
In addition, you can ask your vet about the possibility of fleas and ticks and their treatment and prevention methods. This is because fleas and ticks can lead to skin irritation and allergies. If left untreated, these diseases can cause secondary infections such as yeast infections in the affected areas where fleas are present.
Therefore, it becomes essential to keep your vet in a loop about any possible issues your dog might be facing.
Dry Your Pets Thoroughly After Their Baths
Make sure you dry your dog thoroughly after every bath. You can do this by using a towel to get rid of the excessive water from the body parts that are more susceptible to dry skin and allergies (generally the tail, legs, and belly). Ears and face are also prone to itching. So, don’t forget to dry them too.
You can use a hair dryer if you find any trouble drying your pet thoroughly with a towel. Be careful not to use the blow-dryer on them directly, as this will cause their fur to become tangled up in knots that can irritate their skin even further.
If you do want to use this method, make sure that any heat setting is set lower than what would be used on human hair because dogs’ skin is much thinner than ours.
Use Wipes and Baths That Are Specially Formulated for Dogs
A dog’s skin is vastly different as compared to human skin, so it’s essential to use products that are specially developed for dogs. Today, the market is awash with a huge number of products, but this may be one area where you want to think twice before purchasing something off-the-shelf.
If a product is touted as equally beneficial for both humans and dogs, chances are it won’t be as effective at treating your pup’s skin allergies as one specifically designed for him or her.
Some common ingredients found in allergic dog treatments include aloe vera gel, coconut oil, tea tree oil, oatmeal, green tea extract, vitamin E oils (like Jojoba oil), alfalfa sprout extract, lavender essential oil, chamomile essential oil—and more. You can use these ingredients individually or together, depending on what works best for your pup’s particular allergy needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I would say your dog’s skin allergies and itching are all about keeping a healthy balance. Similar to humans, dogs need a healthy diet that consists of all the essential vitamins and nutrients to keep their immune system strong enough to fight against external agents.
Also, make sure your dogs don’t eat foods having an excess of sugar or fat, as they can make things worse for them. Lastly, proper nutrition improves the quality of life, longevity, and happiness. And a happy dog would mean more happiness in your life, too.
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