Post written by Beyond Holistic Blog of Holistic Select

It is not uncommon for your dog or cat to be allergic to certain things. The most important thing is that you be able to recognize the symptoms, know how to treat any allergic reaction, and also to learn about ways that you can possibly prevent these allergies. This knowledge will help you to deal with any allergies that your pet may have.

Signs and Symptoms

Recognizing the signs and symptoms that your pet exhibits is a very important part of determining what type of allergy that your pet may have.

Atopy

This is the most common allergy among dogs and cats and is often seasonal. Common sources of this type of allergy are pollens, molds and dust mites.

• Pollen allergies tend to surface around April and May
• Dust mite allergies are usually at their worst in the winter time
• Ragweed allergies are more common in the fall

Common symptoms for these allergies are –

• Red or inflamed ears or recurrent ear infections
• Chewing of the feet
• Facial scabbing in cats
• Rubbing face against carpet or furniture
• Wheezing in cats
• Flea allergy dermatitis – This is a common allergy and it is a direct result of flea bites.

Contact Dermatitis

This includes allergies to carpets, cleaners, or plastic and are much less common than Atopy. Symptoms of contact dermatitis allergies can include –

• Red bumps or blisters on areas of the body with less hair, such as the belly
• Excessive scratching
• Hair loss in serious cases

Food Allergies

Food allergies only account for a small percentage of allergies in pets. Symptoms can include –

• Recurring skin infections
• Ear problems
• Chronic itching
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea

Treatment

If you suspect that your pet is dealing with allergies, the first thing that you should do is schedule a visit with your veterinarian. They will do a complete history workup and physical examination to try and determine the source of the allergic reaction. If needed, they will do some skin and blood tests and possibly even an elimination diet to get further answers. Once the source of the allergic reaction is determined there are many different treatment solutions –

• Flea control medication for all of the pets in your home
• Weekly bathing with prescription shampoos for skin allergies
• Frequent washing of your pet’s bedding to keep it free of potential allergens
• For suspected food allergies, consider placing your pet on a grain free diet.
• If the source of  your pet’s allergic reaction is something that cannot be removed from their environment, allergy injections are available
• Antihistamines such as Benadryl  can be used, but only after consulting with your veterinarian and determining proper dosage amounts
• Topical solutions containing hydrocortisone
• Oral and injectable steroids

Prevention

There are some things that you can do to avoid some of the triggers of allergic reactions.

• Keep pets in uncarpeted rooms
• Keep pets indoors during high pollen season
• Use dehumidifiers in the room that your pet sleeps in
• Avoid stuffed toys
• Keep grass cut short
• Choose a diet for your pet with wholesome and natural ingredients and less additives

Watching your pet struggle with the symptoms of allergies can be painful. The best thing that you can do as a pet owner is to educate yourself about pet allergies so that you can recognize the symptoms early and even learn how to prevent and lessen the chances of certain allergies developing