Skin conditions can be extremely irritating and painful for our faithful companions and, according to surveys, are the number one reason we take our dogs to the vet. Costing around $183 per visit they are also probably one of the most expensive, in the long run, conditions we take our dogs to the vet for.
There are many types of skin conditions our dogs may be suffering from and many treatments we can use for them. However, we need to be entirely sure what is causing our dogs to itch, scratch, and bite at themselves before we start any treatment.
Common causes of skin conditions can include:
Poor quality dog food
Parasites
Toxic environmental factors
Pollutants
Vaccinations
Psychological Factors
Suppressed disease
Skin allergies
Bacteria
How they display themselves is wide and varied and it can be difficult to diagnose and treat them correctly.
It is probably best to start with the knowledge of the main skin disorders in dogs there are out there.
All the above will have symptoms in common. It is a virtual 100% guaranteed fact that the initial signs of a skin problem will be your dog itching and scratching.
They all will however have subtle and not so subtle differences in symptoms too. So how do you check what your dog’s symptoms are?
How to Examine Your Dog
If you think your dog has a skin condition you will need to examine them and gain as much information as possible. To do this get your dog to sit or lie with you whilst you gently part their hair with your hands and examine the skin underneath.
Look out for the following and make a note of all your findings:-
Sores
Redness
Dandruff
Parasites
Rashes
Lumps
Bumps
Bald spots
Next ask yourself the following questions and make a note of your answers:
When did the itching begin? Was it at a certain age, time of year?
Does your dog itch all the time, or is it just at certain times of year?
Can you link the itching to somewhere you go, or something you do?
Have you tried any treatments and did they work?
Common Symptoms of Common Skin Diseases
Once you have listed your dog’s symptoms you can now check them against the table and list below. This should hopefully give you a diagnosis. If your dog does not match anything below you should seek the advice of your vet.
Flea Allergy
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11
Inhalant Allergy
1, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Food Allergy
1, 8, 10, 12, 13
Contact Allergy
1, 14, 15
Dry Skin
1, 7, 19
Bacterial Infection
1, 4, 16, 17
Yeast Infection
1, 17, 18
Dandruff
1, 5, 16, 19
Mange
1, 2, 5, 12, 16
Constant itching.
Inflamed skin, severe itching.
Itching at the base of tail and the rump.
Chewing at the affected areas.
Skin scaly and dry. Hair loss.
Itching in warm weather (seasonal).
Itching in cold weather (seasonal).
Rubbing the face.
Licking the stomach.
Licking the paws.
Ear infections (recurrent).
Itching and scratching (non-seasonal).
Small red bumps and raised patches. Rashes.
Itching suddenly.
Skin becoming inflamed and or having red itchy bumps.
Scratching of the ears. Shaking the head and holding it to one side.
Smelly and greasy skin.
Flaky skin.
Understanding a Skin Condition and Treating It
Once you have diagnosed your dog’s skin condition you will need to understand it and how to treat it. There are many ways in which you can treat the various skin conditions, it is just a matter of finding what is right for you and most importantly your dog.
If you have any doubts about your diagnosis or how you should treat your dog it may be best to contact your vet.
1. Allergies
This is simply when your dog is allergic to something he has come in contact with, inhaled or eaten.
2. Flea Allergy
This is probably the easiest allergy to spot. Fleas bite on your dog and crawl around looking for the warmest spots on their bodies to settle, they are hard to miss. This causes your dog to itch, scratch and even bite at themselves as these little parasites drive them crazy.
Prevention is the best way to deal with these pesky critters and a simple topical flea treatment every month will do just that. However if your dog is unlucky enough to get fleas there are a couple of remedies you can try.
The first is a medicated flea bath, a simple shampoo that should rid your dog of his visitors. Not all dogs like baths though and it can be a struggle to get them in the water. So if you have one of those dogs why not try a flea spray that will kill them off just as effectively?
It would be useful here to note that flea collars are not a particularly effective way to prevent fleas and are certainly not suitable to get rid of fleas. Also if your dog is distressed by his itching or is causing himself harm by scratching and biting you could try giving him some Benadryl. This should settle your dog and relieve his itch.
3. Inhalant Allergy
An inhalant allergy is when your dog is allergic to something that he has inhaled or has absorbed through his skin. The cause of this type of allergy can be varied but most commonly it is associated with grasses, dust mites, molds, and pollens.
It can be extremely difficult to pin point what your dog is allergic to with this allergy and even harder to avoid the cause of it. For example, imagine never allowing your dog on grass again. You could however ask your vet to perform tests which will pin point the allergy.
These can be expensive though and may not end in a solution to the problem. It is nigh on impossible to avoid pollen for example or dust mites for that matter. Probably the best you can do is give your dog regularly medicated baths and Benadryl to ease the itching.
It would be useful here to note that inhalant allergies can increase as your dog gets older and you may find he becomes allergic to more and more things and possibly more intensely.
4. Food Allergy
Food allergies are not all that common in dogs, but when they do occur it is generally natural components of dog foods such as meat, milk, eggs and grain that they are allergic to. A good indication that a dog has a food allergy would be if Benadryl does not relieve the itching.
Diagnosing exactly what food they are allergic to is no easy feat, there are no tests that can be run to pin point the food that your dog is allergic to. Discovering the culprit is a matter of running a food trial cutting out any possible foods one by one until you hit the jackpot.
It should be noted that there are no treatments for food allergies other than discovering and cutting the food out of your dog’s diet.
Also, it can take one to two years for a food allergy to develop so be careful not to rule this possible allergy out just because your dog has been eating the same food for a long period of time.
5. Contact Allergy
Contact allergies are exactly what they say are, an allergy to something your dog has touched. Common causes include carpet cleaners, air fresheners, shampoos, some plants and stings from wasps and bees.
You may be thinking this sounds very similar to an inhalant allergy that has been absorbed through the skin, but there is a difference. A contact allergy is usually instant.
Treatment of this allergy can vary dependent on what has caused the reaction. If it is something like carpet products then using a gentle shampoo and stopping the use of the product will usually be sufficient. If it something like a plant or sting reaction your dog may need antibiotics or corticosteroids. A trip to the vets or consultation with your vet is imperative with the latter.
Worthy of note is that severe swelling and possible breathing difficulties can be a consequence of this type of allergic reaction. It would be sensible to remove your dog’s collar and to monitor them carefully for the first few hours. If your dog show any signs of struggling to breathe take them to the vets immediately.
Skin Infections
Skin infections are usually a secondary condition to allergies caused by fleas and mites, but can also be caused simply by your dog having certain breed standards.
Bacterial Infections (Pyoderma)
Bacterial infections are usually the result of having an allergy and if your dog develops one they will scratch and bite at their skin spreading the infection further over their body. Also as well as scratching their ears they may develop a yellow / green discharge.
Treating the original allergy will not clear up the infection unless your dog has been prescribed antibiotics. If you think your dog has got infection you should take them to the vet.
Fungal Infections (Yeast)
Characterized by the smell your dog will omit, fungal infections are usually found in the more moist areas of your dog’s body such as the ears, armpits, feet and skin. It will also often be accompanied by a brown waxy discharge from the ears.
Commonly caused by an already existing allergy in your dog this condition will again need a vet’s consultation. This is because they will more than likely need medicated creams to clear up this problem. Other dogs to suffer with fungal infections include dogs with floppy ears and lots of skin folds such as the Sharpei and the Bulldog.
Dandruff and Oily Skin
It is not only humans that suffer from dandruff and oily or greasy hair, dogs do too, and just like different ethnic groups who typically fall into one category or the other, dog breeds can too.
Dry Skin (dandruff)
Oily Skin (greasy coat)
Dachshund
Basset Hound
Doberman Pinscher
Cocker Spaniel
German Shepherd
English Springer Spaniel
Irish Setter
Labradors
Sharpeis
West Highland Terrier
Dandruff
Dry, flaky skin is the main symptom of dandruff but as any human who suffers from this condition knows, it can also lead to an incredibly itchy skin. The best way to deal with this is to use a dandruff shampoo for dogs.
Usually a dog dandruff shampoo will contain sulphur, iodine, salicylic acid or a mixture of these ingredients. How often you use this shampoo will depend on the extent of the condition. For severe cases the dog should be bathed every other day for a week to ten days before decreasing to twice a week for a month. After this once a week then once a month should suffice. If the symptoms return start the schedule again.
To try and avoid dandruff on your dog altogether you can check and rectify (where possible) the following:-
Over/under bathing
Under grooming
Nutrient deficiency in the diet
Dry climate / forced heating
Neutering/spaying
Cheyletiella (Walking Dandruff)
It sounds crazy I know but walking dandruff is an actual condition that is caused by mites that live on dogs. Eradicating these is simple and can be done by using a topical flea treatment.
It should be noted that all pets in the house will need treatment if one has contracted walking dandruff. It is also possible for humans to get this condition so contact your doctor if you are worried you may too have it.
Oily Skin
Should your dog be suffering from oily skin you should choose a shampoo that contains coal tar, benzoyl peroxide, selenium sulphide or a mixture of. The regime for bathing should be the same as with if your dog has dandruff.
There are two different types of mange, sarcoptic and demodectic, with the latter having three subcategories. Both are caused by several species of mites and common external parasites.
Sarcoptic Mange
This type of mange is transferred easily between hosts, even mothers pass it to their pups when they are cuddling. Most of these puppies however live harmoniously with these mites, never suffering any consequences.
The unlucky few however will need vet attention which will include fortnightly skin scrapes and oral, topical, injection or shampoo dip treatment.
Demodectic Nange (Localised)
Localised cases are when the mites proliferate in one or two small areas, commonly the face. It is mainly associated with puppyhood and will generally resolve itself with no treatment of any kind. However if treatment is needed you should seek the advice of your vet.
Demodectic Mange (Generalised)
Generalised demodectic mange affects larger areas of the dog, possibly even his entire body. This is usually accompanied by secondary infection which makes this an extremely painful and itchy condition for your dog.
This type of mange can also be a sign of underlying problems such as a compromised immune system. Treatment will vary depending on the age of the dog needing treatment but will usually involve one or more of the same treatments used for sarcoptic mange.
Demodectic Mange (Pododermatitis)
This type of mange is confined to the foot and is always accompanied by a bacterial infection. Unfortunately it is the most resistant form to any kind of treatment.
Again you should consult your vet if you think your dog may be suffering from pododermatitis and they will help you manage this condition. It should be noted that younger dogs may fully recover, but older dogs will probably need long term treatment.
Other Skin Conditions and Considerations
Ringworm is a fairly common fungal infection that especially affects puppies under the age of six months. Recognised by inflammation of the skin, scaly patches, hair loss and a small red ring that grows it requires immediate veterinary attention.
This is because people can also become infected quite easily. Puppies can also suffer from bacterial infections and mange as already covered.
Middle age dogs or young adults are most prone to skin allergies and dandruff, whilst older dogs or senior dogs are liable to develop alopecia and skin tumors.
You should seek immediate advice from your vet if you think your dog has developed a tumor.
“Happiness is having a scratch for every itch,” said Ogden Nash, and probably there is no dog in this world who wouldn’t agree with this statement. Pruritus (itching) and skin problems in dogs can be caused by different causes, however, itching represents one of the most typical symptoms of dog skin allergies.
You’ll notice that your dog is scratching the ears, the face, and the armpit area frequently, or it is licking and chewing the skin in the area of the stomach and hind legs…
But, first, let’s explain the way how allergic reactions occur in the dog’s body… Probably you have witnessed a situation when an angry dog is running after a car, attacking ordinary passers-by without some reason, barking at the postman, or trying to fight with another dog during a walk.
Actually, we talk about extremely aggressive behavior in ordinary situations when there is absolutely no need of aggression. This may help you understand the way allergies occur in the body. Allergic reaction is a synonym for an extremely aggressive response of the immune system to substances from the environment which in fact are not dangerous for the health.
Different substances from the environment may be responsible for causing allergic reactions in dogs, and the most common among them are food and some food ingredients, pollens, dust and dust mites, fleas and flea control products, and different groups of medications, cigarette smoke, cleaning products etc.
These substances are called allergens and when a hypersensitive dog comes in contact with them a series of events occur in the dog’s body creating an immune response known as an allergic reaction.
The body creates specific antibodies called immunoglobulins E (IgE) against those allergens. The antibodies bind to special cells in the blood called mast cells.
When allergen links with an antibody, the mast cells which are connected to the antibodies start producing histamine, a substance that causes inflammation and is responsible for all of the symptoms typical for allergic reactions. Allergies in dogs include atopic dermatitis caused by airborne allergens from the environment, flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) caused by proteins found in the saliva of the fleas, and food allergies which can be caused by different food ingredients.
Allergic reactions may occur in dogs of any breed, in males and females at any age. The main characteristic is that dogs in most of cases react with skin problems and itching is the most typical sign. The symptoms of skin allergies in dogs include frequent scratching and chewing of the skin, hair loss, skin lesions, bad smell of the skin, and possible occurrence of the syndrome of hot spots. Keep in mind that allergies can be hereditary, so the breeding of animals with significant allergy problems is not recommended!
Airborne Allergies in Dogs
Atopic dermatitis (allergic skin disease due to environmental allergens) is the most common type of allergy in dogs. Common environmental allergens include dust mites, fleas, molds, and pollen from flowers, grasses, and trees. Itching is the most typical symptom of this airborne allergy and the intensity of scratching is individual for each animal.
Anti-itch therapies will help your dog feel better for a while but you must have in mind that this medication only eliminates the symptoms but they don’t fix the root cause of the problem. Besides the frequent scratching, you can also notice symptoms like hair loss, scaly areas, or acne-like bumps on your dog’s skin.
Foul odor from the dog’s skin can also be present in cases where bacterial skin infection has developed. German Shepherds, retrievers, brachiocephalic dogs (breeds with short noses), west highland white terriers, and Shih Tzu, are the most predisposed dog breeds to atopic dermatitis, but this disease can occur in any other dog breed including mixed-breed dogs.
The symptoms may be present seasonally or throughout the whole year, depending mostly on the fact if the suspected allergen is found indoors or outdoor. The scratching can be more pronounced in certain body areas but it can also occur all over the dog’s body. The frequent scratching and biting can cause skin lesions and wounds where secondary bacterial infections can develop.
Other signs of atopic dermatitis may include licking and chewing the paws and rubbing of the face and the eyes. This type of allergy can also cause problems with a dog’s ears and has a significant role in the development of chronic inflammation of the inner ear. This type of allergy can be managed but not cured, and long-term medical treatment and re-checks are required.
Immunotherapy is the most common method to manage the course of this disease nowadays. It is usually implemented through a series of allergy vaccines that gradually increase the amounts of the allergen in the dog’s body till the immune system becomes accustomed to these substances and its reactive responses become reduced, making the symptoms of the allergic reaction less pronounced.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD)
This type of reaction is not caused by the flea itself but by the proteins coming from the flea’s saliva and feces. In most cases, this problem appears in dogs that are occasionally exposed to fleas, rather than dogs that are constantly infested.
The dog will scratch and chew the skin making skin lesions and wounds without hair that sometimes can bleed. This condition is known as the syndrome of hot spots in dogs.
Having in mind that this allergy is actually caused the flea saliva, it is recommended to bathe your dog to eliminate all traces of flea saliva and feces. Bathe your dog often, at least once a week, and always use proper shampoo because clean animals are less attractive to ectoparasites, including fleas. Have in mind that using the wrong shampoos may cause problems with the dog’s skin and coat.
Do your best to prevent the flea infestation of your dog and your home. Pick a good quality flea control product for your dog and the environment recommended by your veterinary doctor.
When it comes to skin allergies, the best way to take care of it is with a quality shampoo. Read our handy list of some of the most helpful dog allergy shampoos on the market.
Food Allergy in Dogs
Dogs may also be hypersensitive to some foods or certain food ingredients, such as beef, chicken, fish, soy, eggs, etc.. The key thing in the whole issue is locating the substance that the dog’s immune system is considering an allergen.
Speaking on this topic we have to mention the difference between food allergies (that are based on the immune response to specific nutrients) and food intolerance, which represents a digestive problem that occurs when the dog’s body doesn’t have a specific enzyme required for the digestion of certain food ingredient.
If it is suspected that the allergic reaction is caused by a substance present in the food or the dog treats an elimination diet in consultation with your veterinary doctor is recommended.
It means that your dog will be put on a 12-week exclusive prescription diet based on proteins from meat sources that your dog has never consumed before and are less likely to cause an allergic reaction. This diet can also be provided by using a commercial hypoallergenic dog food made from novel food ingredients consisting of proteins from limited sources.
If the allergy was really caused by food the symptoms will start disappearing very soon.
The next step is to gradually introduce your dog to the food he used to consume previously and try to conclude the type of food that caused the problem by noticing the first symptoms of allergic reaction which usually appear between one hour to two weeks after the allergen was ingested.
There are a few nutrition tips that can help you prevent the appearance of allergies. Always use different sources of protein in the diet of your dog and rotate them constantly in order to reduce the chances of occurrence of hypersensitivity. It has been proven that puppies fed with food reached with probiotics are less likely to develop food allergies in the future as adults.
Besides this, a significant role in allergies controls plays using fish oil in your dog’s diet as well as minced flax seed. Essential fatty acids such as omega-6 and omega-3 showed very good results in the treatment of many atopic dermatitis cases. Vitamin C addition to the dog’s diet is also recommended.
There are other kinds of allergies too that can affect your dog’s way of life. Interested to know what those are? Read ahead in our article about common dog allergies and how to treat them.
Diagnostics – the Most Important Part
You must have in mind that many skin problems require long-lasting medical treatments so the exact diagnosis plays a key role in solving dermatology issues. Remember that a good veterinarian will never rush with a diagnosis trying to impress you with his knowledge and security. He will always approach the issue very carefully and patiently and he will use all the available diagnostic methods before he sets the final diagnosis.
Your trusted vet and his ability to recognize and locate the real cause of the allergy is of the utmost importance for allergy treatment. Therefore, one of the favorite veterinarian quotes says that the diagnostic in veterinary medicine is an art that requires passion, while therapy is just a boring duty.
If you’re not sure what’s going to be involved when you get your dog tested, you can adequately prepare yourself and your pooch by reading our article on testing your dog for allergies.
After a general clinical examination of the dog, if it is necessary your veterinarian may recommend additional tests and diagnostic methods in order to determine the main cause of the allergic reaction.
These methods may include different blood tests and if it is considered that the allergic reaction is caused by a substance present in the dog’s environment, indoor or outdoor, the vet can recommend additional tests such as an intradermal allergy test, very similar to the allergy test used in the human medicine that should help to detect the root cause of the allergic reaction.
The intradermal allergy test consists of series of intradermal shots that contain samples of the most common allergens from the environment. After that, the veterinary dermatologist will simply check which substance caused the most significant skin reaction in order to detect the main cause of the immune response. Then you and your veterinarian should carefully develop a long-term treatment strategy in order of successfully deal with this complicated health condition.
A good treatment strategy will consist of plan for avoiding exposure of the dog to the allergen, providing immunotherapy (allergy vaccines), anti-itching symptomatic treatment that should help your dog feel comfortable, and a wide spectrum of antibiotic therapy.
Corticosteroid therapy has the effect is to turning off the immune system and thus stopping the allergic reaction. It is often used in combination with antihistamine therapy (the most commonly used drug is Benadryl), but however, this treatment only works for eliminating the symptoms and it doesn’t fix the root cause of the problem.
The use of these drugs is very risky and carries many side effects which could be dangerous for the dog’s health, so therefore the long-term use of this kind of therapy is not recommended unless necessary.
A good vet will certainly avoid the use of these drugs unless the case requires their use and there is no better solution available. It must be noted that corticosteroid therapy can interrupt the reproduction cycle in females (heat) so the owner must be informed of the consequences, especially if it is a breeding female.
Cyclosporines as immunosuppressive drugs are very effective in the treatment of many cases of atopic dermatitis and have fewer side effects than corticosteroid/antihistamine therapy.
If the dog makes scratching skin lesions and wounds it is necessary to apply antibiotic therapy to prevent complications in form of secondary bacterial infections of the skin. Topical antimicrobial therapy (sprays with antibacterial and antifungal effect) are often used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
Prevent Your Dog’s Exposure to Cigarette Smoke!
Cigarette smoke is irritating for most of dogs and some of them can also develop an allergic reaction to it. As a veterinarian by profession. but first of all, as a conscientious dog owner, I became allergic to the behavior of certain smokers which concerned that smoking in presence of pets is normal and can not be harmful.
I personally believe that there is nothing wrong if you politely ask smokers to avoid smoking in the presence of your pets just as you would ask them not to smoke in the presence of your children. At least this is a type of allergy where you really have a chance to take the allergen away of your dog.
Be up to date with your dog’s vaccination protocol and don’t allow over-vaccination of the dog as well as excessive use of medications without any important reason because these things significantly affect the state of the dog’s immune system.
Always provide good hygiene of the dog’s coat, the place where the dog resides as well as his toys, dishes and water bowls because it plays a major role in preventing of different environmental allergies.
Make sure you perform effective dust mite control because dust and dust mites represent a very common cause of allergies in dogs that live indoors. Bathe and brush the dog’s coat often and use proper products. Consult with your veterinarian when picking a shampoo for your dog, because long-term use of inappropriate products for dog bathing can cause dry skin and lead to dermatology problems.
The Flea Control Products
Make sure your dog is free of ectoparasites such as fleas and ticks. Always use proven flea control products. Indoor allergens can cause allergic reactions in dogs during the whole year and the best solution would be to identify those substances and eliminate them from your home if it is possible. Outdoor allergens usually cause problems with seasonal allergic reactions.
Make sure you brush and bathe your dog often enough, at least once a week. It is also recommended to clean your dog’s paws after returning home from walks, to make sure the dog does not convey a specific substance with him in the house from the outside.
Hygiene Maintenance
If your dog is sensitive to pollen limit the dog’s outdoor exposure during a season when pollen counts are high. Try to eliminate indoor moisture if the dog is sensitive to fungi and mold.
Maintain hygiene and always use clean food dishes and water bowls. Reduce carpeting and upholstered furniture to prevent possible allergy to dust mites. Vacuum the dogs bedding often. It is recommended to do it at least twice a week.
Try to do everything in your power to eliminate the substances that can irritate your dog and cause allergic reactions because prevention is always a better solution. Inform your trusted veterinarian as soon as you notice that some unusual changes have appeared at your dog’s body or in his behavior.
Make sure you do everything you can for your dog to be healthy and happy because your dog absolutely deserves to feel good in his skin!
If you are asking yourself, “What can I give my dog for allergies?” then it means that your doggy is suffering from some sort of allergy. Before you start worrying too much or panic, you must know that dog allergies are as common as human allergies. Alike humans, dogs develop allergic reactions because their immune system has an overreaction on contact with certain allergens.
Almost any particle that is foreign to a pup’s body such as pollen, dust or something from its food, as well as a chemical substance or an insect bite, can trigger a reaction of the dog’s immune system. This reaction causes the release of white blood cells, hormones and other substances such as histamines (responsible for inflammations) in the pup’s bloodstream, which, in turn, triggers hypersensitivity or allergy.
Allergies are chronic problems that cannot be healed for good. A dog with an allergic reaction will keep having symptoms for the rest of its life. The best solution is for the allergic pooch to be kept away from that allergen. However, there are other treatments and vaccines that can be recommended by an experienced veterinarian.
Types of Allergies in Dogs
There are 4 categories of allergies that can occur in dogs, as it follows:
Contact allergies
These are the most common types of allergies that a dog can be the victim of. They occur when the pup’s skin comes in direct contact with an allergen.
For example, the chemical substances from random anti-parasitic collars can cause such problems. The pooch’s skin starts looking irritated.Also, it can thicken or become discolored.
Eventually, it can emanate a strong smell and the fur might fall off from the affected area. In this case, the affected dog will feel itchy and start scratching all over. These types of allergies can be diagnosed fairly easy thanks to the demarcated area from the puppy’s body. Thus, the allergen can be removed and replaced with an allergen-free one.
Food allergies
Most dogs are not born with food allergies, but they can develop them in time. These represent reactions to one or more ingredients from special dog food or even cooked food.
The most common food allergens are found in beef and chicken products, milk, eggs and cereals such as wheat, corn and soybeans.The exact cause that triggers the allergy is not known. The most probable guess is that a modification from a pup’s immune system determines the perception of certain ingredients as foreign, thus initiating an inflammatory response meant to fight it. This type of allergy can have a series of clinical manifestations, including itching or scratching, digestive issues such as diarrhea and shortness of breath.
In addition, external otitis and skin problems often occur in case of food hypersensitivity. Regardless of the dog’s age, these symptoms can appear randomly. In order to diagnose such affection, the dog’s diet must be changed with a hypoallergenic one for 8 to 12 weeks. If the symptoms start getting less severe or disappear, the case is considered closed.
Allergies to fleas
This is also a common allergy in dogs. Allergic contact dermatitis is a skin problem caused by an allergic reaction to a flea’s salivary protein. One single flea bite can cause intense itching to a dog for more than 5 days. Dogs that were bitten might scratch hard and end up harming themselves and developing skin infections. In such situation, the establishment of a possible diagnose is based on clinical signs and physical examination too.
Among the physical signs one can count skin inflammation and skin infection, scratched skin and the presence of fleas and flea feces on the pup’s skin that look like small black dots. Scabies and lice do the same damage, so a specialist must look into it.
The best way to prevent such allergy is to use products meant to keep the fleas away such as Advantix or Frontline.
However, the vet should recommend a certain product that is most efficient for your pup. If you choose a product that is too strong, then you can intoxicate your pooch. This intoxication might have severe consequences. The prescription for flea infestation consists of corticosteroids, antihistamines and essential fatty acids that reduce the irritation. Also, bathing an infested dog using special shampoos can help.
Atopic allergies
Atopy is a genetic tendency towards the development of allergies present in some dogs. The allergens list contains pollen, dust, mites, mold and microscopic debris that generate breathing problems, eczemas and sometimes anaphylactic shock.
One of the symptoms that appear in this case is scratching.A dog that scratches its face, legs, chest and tummy might have an allergy. Depending on the cause, this type of allergy can be seasonal or it can last throughout the year. Intense scratching may lead to chronic irritation and hair loss.
If you’d like to learn more about the symptoms and treatments available, please read our article on dog allergy treatment so that your dog won’t suffer with itchy skin or an upset tummy.
Medication and Treatment for Dog Allergies
Based on these 4 types of allergies, you can identify the one that is causing a dog to scratch a lot and determine what you can give a dog for allergies.
However, although you might be able to identify the type of allergy your pup suffers from and treat it accordingly, you should not skip over the confirmation of a vet.
As it follows, there are 4 categories of therapies used to treat dog allergies.
Corticosteroids
The corticosteroids are substances that have the effect of suppressing the immune system of a doggy and thus leading to less severe allergic reactions. The treatment with corticosteroids can help a dog immediately, when the vet cannot determine the exact cause of its allergy.
The downside of this treatment is that it causes the occurrence of adverse reactions such as increased appetite, thirst, frequent urination and, ultimately, weight gain. Each organ is in danger if this treatment is prolonged. The corticosteroids are usually prescribed for a short period of time, until the test results are ready.
Immunotherapy
This is one of the safest ways to treat allergies because it has only one disadvantage, which is that it requires a long time of administration. A dog with an allergy is vaccinated weekly with small amounts of the substance it is allergic to.
Thus, its immune system is gradually becoming less sensitive to that allergen.With time, its immune system will not have a negative reaction to that allergen anymore. This therapy starts working after 6 to 12 months after the first administration and it does not protect a pet from the occurrence of future allergies to other allergens. No medication can.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are drugs that are often used by people too, not only for dogs. They block the release of the mediators that sustain the occurrence of an inflammation, which are called histamines. By administering them, the inflammation and the itching sensation are radically reduced. Using antihistamines is relatively safe. However, they might make your pup feel very sleepy and tired all the time during the treatment.
Local treatments
There are a series of soothing shampoos that contain Epsom salts and oatmeal, as well as ointments and sprays that help a doggy feel more comfortable. You should ask a veterinarian about these and have him/her recommend a certain product that best fits the needs of your sick pooch. We have a great article you should read on the best doggy shampoos for the treatment of allergies.
Choosing a product by yourself is not inspired because it can aggravate your doggy’s allergy symptoms. It takes only one bad ingredient to ruin all your good intentions and make your pup’s condition worse than it was in the first place.
If you’re interested in more natural options, we have a great article on natural home remedies for your dog’s allergies.
In conclusion, patience and perseverance are really important in case your dog develops any kind of allergy. As shown above, the available treatments for allergies do not have an immediate effect and they are definitely not curing your dog for life or preventing it from having an allergic reaction ever again.
Therefore, the reoccurrence of any type of allergy is possible. So, it would be ideal to identify the causes and the best treatment for your canine friend’s allergy and do what it needs to be done when the symptoms come back. Observing and knowing when your pup is about to have an allergy is important because you can ease its discomfort by starting to treat it early.
Of course, you can also learn how to avoid these nasty allergens and keep your pooch happy and allergy-free for the rest of its life.
However, such factors are hard to control, so keep yourself informed and spoil your dog with the best there is.
Remember to also clean the areas of your house where your dog spends time, not to only wash it and leave its bedding, toys or favorite blanket for later.
If you let your dog stay in bed or on the couch, you must also disinfect or wash these two furniture pieces because they might be infected or filled with allergens that are bad for your lovely canine friend.
Finding natural remedies for dog allergies can be the best step that you could take towards healing your dog’s condition as well as improving their overall health. Not only will it provide relief from the various irritating and annoying symptoms of dog allergies, it will help improve their immune and digestive functions.
We are not saying that the use of natural remedies do not have its own risks as most companies do. These ingredients also need to be used in their proper amounts as an overdose or wrong use can also lead to health problems.
What is good about them however is that they do not pose the same health risks that pharmaceutical and conventional allergy treatments have towards the organs and the health of your dog?
Remember that dogs, just like us, need natural food and treatment in order for their bodies to thrive. The presence of a wide variety of nutrients in their composition allows the natural body to function more properly and to heal properly. You may not be able to see immediate results, as you can experience with synthetic drugs, but they can provide a longer effectively compared to conventional drugs.
Aside from that, they also help to address other health concerns such as digestion and circulation. Going for a more holistic approach to your dog’s treatment can provide you with better results in the end aside from the fact that they also cost a lot cheaper.
There are plenty of common allergies that could be responsible for your dog’s suffering, so please read our article on what those common dog allergies are so you can help your dog find the best treatment.
Methods of Using Natural Remedies for Dog Allergies
There are different ways in which you could apply or use these natural remedies on your dog’s allergy. The method will usually rely on the type or “school” of treatment that you prefer. You can choose between dietary, traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathic treatments, soaks and baths, and even the use of acupuncture.
So whether you have a large amount of time or if you need to hurry to go to work, there are natural treatment options for you. What you would need though is the resources and the availability of the products right on hand and most of the time, they may be sitting in your home without you knowing it.
If you want to take the dietary way then you would only have to remove or add a specific food to your pet’s diet. This includes adding some vitamins or supplements as well to your pet’s food in order to provide the nutrients that they need.
Another method is through the use of traditional medicine which involves the use of herbs or other unconventional ingredients in order to treat the disease. One of the most commonly used method is traditional Chinese medicine which is based on the principles of Yin and Yang. Chinese herbs are commonly used in order to get the “balance” between the hot and cold effects on the body.
Homeopathic approaches have some similarities in its application with traditional medicine although the difference is that you will have to make use of some unconventional ingredients. Since homeopathy is based on the idea that “like treats like,” you can expect the use of powdered fleas or dried dog saliva with rabies as a type of cure.
If you are quite sensitive with this stuff then perhaps you may try the soaks and baths which involve more normal ingredients. You will make use of tinctures, oils, and essences of herbs as well as salts and other types of natural ingredients. Lastly, you can choose acupuncture treatments for your dog. Now, you may think that it could be hard to get your dog to lie down or sit still during the treatment, but the fact is that your dog will actually be put into a kind of daze or stupor by putting needles in the proper acupuncture points.
Benefits of natural remedies:
Lesser or no risks of side-effects
One of the best things about using natural remedies is that the amount of health risks are minimized or even removed. This is due to the fact the only natural ingredients are used which the body can recognize and assimilate without causing a lot of negative reaction. Aside from that, they also contain additional nutrients which help to balance the effects and the body’s reaction to the said remedy. Since natural remedies are not highly processed, you can expect to get other nutrients together with main ingredient.
Easy to find
Although this may not hold true for some ingredients, most can be easily gotten at home and this makes them an easy go-to whenever you are in need of an allergy treatment.
This is true since most of the treatment ingredients used are also staples for everyday use such as salt, vinegar, oats, etc. In the case of herbal medicines, they can also be easily bought from health or natural food stores as well as from traditional Chinese medicine stores. However, more exotic ingredients such as those used for homeopathy can only be found on homeopathic practitioners or centers.
Cheaper than conventional allergy medicine
Aside from providing your dog with other nutritional benefits, natural remedies for dog allergies also cost a lot less compared to the hundreds of dollars that you will have to spend not only for visiting the vet but also for the various sets of treatments that you will have to buy.
Most of these home remedies for dog allergies will only cost you a few dollars whereas pharmaceutical drugs will cost you hundreds. Aside from that, you will also have to purchase a month or a year’s worth of supply which will definitely cost a lot in the end.
However, it’s always important that you have your pet tested first before you try these solutions. You can find out more about what the process entails in our article about having your dog tested for allergies.
Your Natural Treatment Options
There are several ways and treatments that you can choose from in order to treat your dog’s allergies. Some of them are directed towards the immediate symptoms while others help to improve your dog’s overall health and hence help it fight against their unstable immune system, which is the root cause of the allergy.
Remember that these treatments may not act as quickly as conventional medication but you can be sure that the process to healing has already started. It is therefore important to continue applying the natural medication and wait for days or weeks to see the results that you want.
There are some options need to be considered:
Epsom salts
This is definitely one of the most well-known treatments that is available not only for humans but for dogs as well. Their main use for treating allergies is in their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. They help minimize the consequent itching and flaking of the skin by eliminating the bacteria that is present and therefore aiding the body in the healing process.
Epsom salts are also known for removing toxins from the body. By helping your dog dispose of said toxins, their immune functions are improved as well as their overall health. To use, pour a cup of Epsom salts in a tub half-filled with warm or cold water and let your dog soak for 5 to 10 minutes.
Apple Cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is also another popular natural treatment for various human ailments but you can use it for dog allergies as well. If your dog has a tick or flea allergy, then this ingredient should be your number one priority.
You can also use it in a number of ways:
Create a one-is-to-one ratio of the vinegar and water and use that either as a last rinse on your dog’s bath or as a spray for hotspots and other problem areas except for the ears and the eyes,
And lastly, use in pure form to provide relief from itching and hotspots.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal has several properties that make them an ideal treatment for skin allergies or for manifestations of the allergy on your dog’s skin. First, it has antibacterial properties that help to remove the presence of any bacterial infection. Second, it helps to slough off the flaky skin that dogs develop during allergies. Third, it contains glycoproteins that help to provide moisturizing effects on the skin making it feel less itchy for your dog.
These glycoproteins are also the reason why you should take extra care in applying this treatment. Their sugar content will help the bacteria to propagate if left after rinsing. Boil 1 cup oatmeal into 3 to 4 cups of water and then let it cool. Use the water to rinse your dog or scrub the sludge on your dog and then rinse with cold water.
Fatty acids
This is perhaps one of the most significant treatments that you can provide for your dog since they address not only the symptoms of dog allergies but the underlying causes as well. Essential fatty acids can be found mainly in fishes and nut oils so if you want to go more natural, you can simply feed these types of foods to your dog.
But, if you want a more concentrated effect then you will need them in capsule form. You can either apply the oil directly on the affected skin, add them on your dog’s food, or allow them to swallow it whole. Essential fatty acids help to improve the immune system, control inflammation, fight bacteria and fungi, and provide moisturizing effects on the skin.
Herbs
Now this can come in a lot of forms: tinctures, essential oils, teas, dried and powdered leaves and other parts, as well as in the form of soaks and baths. Herbal concoctions are also available in which you can find a wider range of benefits.
Some of the more commonly used herbs for treating dog allergies are calendula, Echinacea, lavender, rosehips, chamomile, nettle, aloe vera, comfrey, juniper, peppermint, and various tree barks such as cedar and oak which are good for repelling fleas. These can be applied as tinctures, baths, capsules, or they can be added to your dog’s diet as supplements.
Homeopathic treatments
Homeopathic therapies are based on the principle that like treats like. Hence, they make use of herbs or other ingredients that can bring about the same reactions as those that your dog is experiencing and use that to combat the allergy. Their approach is to dilute the ingredient in water to the desired effectiveness and then give that to your dog to be ingested.
They can also be given in capsules and the contents diluted in your dog’s meal or drink. Although some of the ingredients may seem to be quite untraditional such as dog fleas and animal parts, they do produce some desirable results. This however, is an option that dog owners will decide on individually.
Acupuncture
Although we often associate this type of traditional treatment only with humans, veterinarians have created their own maps of animal bodies in which they can stimulate the same nerve areas and produce the desired results.
Your dog will be put into a kind of stupor or daze in which they will easily lie or sit and allow the vet to place the needles in the necessary areas which can trigger the nerves and produce the necessary chemicals and reactions that will inhibit inflammation. This type of treatment is often used in conjunction with traditional Chinese herbal medicine in order to gain the best results.
When push comes to shove, however, your dog may still be experiencing some discomfort when it comes to his itchy skin. Why not consider our article on the best dog allergy shampoos? It could be just what your pooch needs.
Advantages of Natural Remedies Over Synthetic Drugs
There are several advantages in using natural remedies instead of pharmaceutical drugs in treating dog allergies. One of them is that they don’t develop dependencies on the treatment. Natural remedies help to improve your dog’s immune system so they can slowly regain their own body’s defense against the allergy and not rely on it for a long time.
Allergy medications on the other hand will only address your dog’s symptoms immediately, but with side-effects that can make them dependent on the drug as they tend to worsen the symptoms in the long run due to the suppression of the immune system functions.
Aside from that, synthetic drugs also tend to negatively affect the functions of the other organs such as the liver and the kidney. Since these contain substances which cannot be assimilated by the body, these substances can accumulate in the liver where they are “screened” and in the liver as well. This in turn will affect the efficiency of these organs and will affect the overall “cleaning” system of the body.
If these organs are not functioning well, then the entire body will suffer with various toxic wastes running throughout the body through the bloodstream. In some way, these drugs tend to “overload” your dog’s system making it quite unable to cope with the new demands that these drugs are putting on it.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
It is important to remember that your dog’s body can only function at its optimum level without future health risks if they are given the proper natural ingredients that their body can use to heal itself. Unlike synthetic drugs, these treatments only contain biological components that the body can recognize and assimilate without causing further harm on their bodies.
Aside from that, they are not processed with toxic ingredients that are commonly found in synthetic drugs. Modern synthetic drugs are often processed or produced with toxic chemicals and ingredients that are not even fit for human consumption.
Another thing to keep in mind is that your dog’s allergy has developed over time and treating it will also take a significant amount of time. An allergy is caused by a faulty immune system and in order to stop it, you will have to fix your dog’s immune system. As we all know, healing in biological things will require some significant amount of time in order to set things right. Synthetic drugs may appear to cure things easily, but what you don’t understand is that it only targets the outward symptoms of the allergy and not the health of the immune system itself.
What would you rather have, instant relief with long-term side effects or a slow process of healing which will remedy the root cause of the problem? Would you rather that your pet suffers for a little while now or that he suffer worse problems in the end?
Natural remedies for dog allergies are your best option in terms of dealing with these types of problems. They offer you several advantages that you may not know of. First, they provide additional health benefits for your dog. Second, they pose lesser health risks. Third, they are significantly cheaper than pharmaceutical medications.
Lastly, they help to target the root cause of your dog’s allergy that is the immune system and help that regain its former ability to function properly. They help to strengthen what is weak in order to give your dog their own defense from allergic reaction instead of relying every time on an external drug to treat the symptoms. Getting your dog’s health back should not be done at the cost of a very expensive treatment or of sacrificing his future health for immediate relief.
You have noticed that your dog is scratching more and more often… Itching is obviously annoying him… It is clear that something is going wrong and you are worried because your four legged companion is feeling uncomfortable.
You are determined to help your dog and solve the problem at all costs. The veterinarian has just finished the clinical examination of your dog, and you are expecting to hear the diagnosis… You get his answer — it is allergy!
Before you hurry to ask him what the best dog allergy medicine is, please don’t imagine that your veterinarian is a wizard who will cure the animal in a minute by using some omnipotent magic pill, because things will not go that easy.
Allergies in dogs are actually a complex health issue and therefore the strategies for their management are very complex too.
To help make the problem easier, read ahead in our article about the most common dog allergies.
What Does It Mean?
It means that you must get prepared for a long and serious mission! It is a mission in which your role will be of utmost importance, as well as the role of your trusted veterinarian.
Make sure you have entrusted your dog’s health to the best possible vet, the one you can trust and the one who will access the entire issue responsibly, patiently and carefully.
Your dog, you and your veterinarian will create a circle of trust, and you will actually become teammates in a dream team that will have to face this health issue and solve it successfully.
The Story Behind
But, let’ s start from the beginning… As in any other battle, the better you know your opponent the better are your chances for successful outcome, especially if you are able to find his weaknesses and know how to use them in your favor.
For this purpose you must first completely understand the processes that are taking place in allergic reactions.
Some of them can be managed by using allergy medicine for dogs in order to control the course of the allergic reaction and eliminate the typical symptoms or at least decrease their intensity.
Allergic reaction represents an extremely aggressive, abnormal response of the dog’s immune system to substances from the environment, called allergens that are actually not dangerous for the dog’s health.
The main goal is to detect the allergen and try to avoid the dog’s exposure to that substance that is causing the problem, so therefore the right diagnosis is crucial thing at this stage of the allergy management.
In addition to the medical history and the clinical examination of the dog, your veterinary doctor will, if necessary, recommend additional tests and diagnostic methods to detect the allergen that is responsible for the occurrence of the immune response of the dog’s body.
These methods may include elimination diet or use of hypoallergenic dog food if it is suspected that some food ingredient is responsible for the allergic reaction. There are blood tests and intradermal allergy tests also available for detecting allergens coming from the dog’s environment.
Once you have detected the cause of the problem, it is time to prepare a good tactics that will lead you to a successful outcome. A good veterinarian will elaborate a wise strategy that will bring under control the aggressive response of the dog’s immune system, which in fact lies behind the whole problem with the allergic reactions.
This strategy will be composed of several parts, including the maximum possible reduction of the dog’s exposure to the allergen, implementing effective allergy treatment including symptomatic therapy and immunotherapy, as well as proper care advice for the owner in order to provide long term control of this abnormal health condition.
Right Questions and Right Answers
The creating of effective allergy management plan can be similar to the contemplation of a fire management. Have you ever asked yourself what would you do first if there is a fire in the house?
Would you concentrate on putting the fire out, would try to eliminate the main reason of the fire, or would you try to stop the spread of the flame by removing things in the environment that could encourage the fire even more?
What is the smartest to be taken in this regard? Well, similar questions are going through the mind of every veterinarian who is facing a case of dog allergies. How to avoid the dog’s exposure to the allergen? Which dog allergy medication to be used? How to prevent the occurrence of similar problems in the future and how to keep this problem under control in the long term?
Taking into consideration all thesee questions, your vet will put in order all the pieces of the puzzle and create an effective allergy management plan. Allergy medications will be his necessary tools to put this plan in action and expect a successful outcome.
Avoid the Dog’s Exposure to the Allergen
Actually the best possible way to regulate allergies in your dog is to find an effective way to avoid the dog’s exposure to the allergen completely. If you have detected the exact substance that is causing the problem, you have great advantage and things will go much easier…
But how do you know what to look for? Stay informed with our article on the symptoms of dog allergies and how you can effectively treat them.
When dealing with FAD (flea allergy dermatitis), a type of allergy that is caused by flea bites, or actually caused by the proteins contained in the flea saliva, you must do everything in your power to get rid of fleas completely by using proven flea control products for your dog and the environment.
You should also bathe the dog frequently to eliminate all the traces of the flea saliva and feces left on the dog’s coat. Clean animals are less attractive to parasites. Special ant parasitic dog shampoos should be used to make sure that all the ectoparasites from the dog’s skin are destroyed.
If the dog is suspected to be allergic to some food or nutrient ingredient, your vet will recommend implementation of elimination diet that should help you detect the type of food that causes the problem.
Commercial hypoalergenic dog food is also available and are used for this purpose too. If your dog is suffering from this type of allergy you must take strict care of your dog’s diet by avoiding the use of the particular nutrient for the rest of his life.
Do your best to prevent your dog’s exposure to cigarette smoke and warn smokers to avoid smoking in the presence of your pet because it is irritating for most of the animals, and it is also one of the main causes of allergies in dogs.
Make sure you maintain good hygiene of your dog. Regular bathing will remove substances from the dog’s fur that may be causing problems with skin allergies. Wash the dog’s toys, the food dishes and the water bowels regularly and vacuum the dog’s bedding often.
Try to eliminate indoor moisture as much as possible to prevent the occurrence of allergies caused by fungi and mold. Provide effective dust mite control and remove the objects that are potential dust collectors.
In a season when the amount of pollen is larger decrease the walks with your dog, and after returning home from walk in nature always wash the dog’s feet because this way some allergens from the outside can be brought inside the house.
Allergy Treatment Options
Talking about dog allergy medicine in general, the most of the drugs used in the veterinary practice work immediately and effectively but they provide only temporary relief of the symptoms. Some of these drugs, such as corticosteroids and antihistamine drugs have several side effects on the other organs to, so their long-term use carries risks for the dog’s health.
Therefore every responsible veterinarian will avoid the long term use of these allergy medicine unless not necessary. These drugs are in most of the cases designed for use in humans and therefore their use in dogs must be provided under special guidelines of a doctor of veterinary medicine.
Experienced veterinarian will use combination of different medications in the allergy treatment and he will determine the right dosage and the duration of the therapy according his experience. In addition to symptomatic therapy, antibiotic and antifungal therapy is used to suppress concurrent infections caused by bacteria and yeast.
Pros and Cons of the Steroid Therapy
Corticosteroid therapy (medications such as dexamethasone, prednisone, cortisone etc.) works by “turning off” the immune response of the dog and thus leads to disappearance of the symptoms typical for allergic reaction. This therapy effectively reduces inflammation and itching. However, steroids have also effects on other organs and there are potential risks for the dog’s health if long-term corticosteroid treatment is provided.
Symptoms such as polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria, and even more serious diseases such as pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, and Cushing’s disease may occur as a result of a long-term steroid therapy. There are two ways to administer this medications, injectable steroids and steroids for oral use. It is recommended to use oral medications because of the possibility of discontinuation of the therapy if any unwanted effects occur.
Dosing must be carefully determined by a veterinary doctor in order to avoid unwanted consequences. It is proven that steroid therapy shows better results when combined with antihistamine therapy and essential fatty acids.
Antihistamine medications (the most used are Benadryl, Atarax, Chlortrimetron etc.) provide inhibitory effect on histamine, the main substance that is responsible for the symptoms of inflammation during allergic reactions. Their effectiveness is successful in the treatment of about one third of the cases of allergies in dogs.
Best results are obtained in combination with steroid therapy. This treatment can cause several side effects and the most common are sedation, lethargy, dry mouth and diarrhea. These drugs are designed for use by humans so therefore the use in the veterinary medicine and the drug dosage is strictly determined by your veterinarian’s guidelines.
Therapy with Cyclosporines (Atopica, for oral use) is relatively expensive anti-allergy treatment. The immunosuppressive effect of these medications is successfully used in the treatment of certain allergies in dogs such as atopic dermatitis, which is the most common form of allergic reactions in dogs. The therapy is effective after a several week’s treatment. This type of therapy in dogs can cause vomiting and diarrhea but it has significantly fewer side effects than steroids and antihistamine treatment.
Veterinary dermatologists use diagnostic methods such as intradermal allergy test similar to the one used in humans. This method can examine the dog’s sensitivity to 60 different substances from the environment and allows detection of the exact substance that is responsible for the allergic reaction. Immunotherapy is one of the most effective ways to manage the course of the allergies.
It is implemented by increasing the amounts of the allergens in the dog’s body through series of so-called “allergy vaccines”. The immune system of the dog gradually becomes accustomed to this substance and its reactive responses become less and less pronounced. Your role as an owner will be very important during this therapy. Your vet will give you instructions how to administer the allergy shots to your dog by yourself at home properly.
Apoquel (Oclacitinib) is a new type of anti-allergy treatment available for veterinary use. The effects of Oclacitinib are to prevent itching and stop the inflammatory processes that occur during allergic reactions by selectively inhibiting Janus kinase-1 (JAK-1) and Janus kinase-3 (JAK-3). This drug should not be used in dogs younger than 12 months of age, in breeding and nursing females, as well as in dogs with severe skin infections problems.
Symptomatic topical therapy is consisted of medicated shampoos, rinses and anti-itch solutions. It has immediate but temporary itching relief effect. Cool baths with medicated (hypoallergenic or colloidal oatmeal) shampoos are often used for dogs suffering from atopic dermatitis. Hydrocortisone shampoos can temporarily reduce the itching and help the dog feel less uncomfortable.
Topical sprays and lotions containing cortisone are commonly used for localized itching (Cortispray is a non-systematic cortisone spray with local effect which is not absorbed in the bloodstream).
Frequent bathing is recommended because it removes the allergens from the dog’s coat and prevents them to be absorbed in the body through the skin. Make sure you do your best to prevent the dog to lick the topical medications administered on the skin.
Topical Therapy
Topical antimicrobial therapy for local use is required against concurrent secondary bacterial or yeast infections that develop on the skin wounds which are made by scratching or chewing of the skin caused by the itching. Foul odor of the skin can sometimes be present as one of the symptoms of the bacterial infections. In some cases systemic broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy is required.
During FAD (flea allergic dermatitis) there is possibility of occurrence of so-called ‘hot spots’, hairless areas on the skin which in some cases can bleed. Topical ointment therapy must be administered in order to prevent infections and facilitate wound healing in these areas.
If you’d like to read more about other treatment options, we have a great article on how to treat various kinds of dog allergies.
Some Useful Nutrition Tips
There are some nutrition guidelines that may help you to prevent the occurrence of allergies or help you regulate their course. Probiotics (Lactobaccilus cultures) in the puppy diet can substantially reduce the chances of occurrence of food allergies in the future as adults.
It is recommended to use proteins from different sources in your dog’s diet and rotate them periodically. Food supplements rich with essential Omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil are often recommended in cases of allergic reactions such as atopic dermatitis.
These natural anti-inflammatory substances can support the anti-allergy treatment of atopic dermatitis by reducing the effects of histamine and some similar substances produced in the body that are responsible for the symptoms of inflammation during allergic reactions. Vitamin supplements (especially vitamin C) in the dog’s diet are also highly recommended in the allergy management.
The Most Important Thing
Every dog can respond differently to each of the medications used in the allergy treatment. Experienced veterinarian will make a prudent assessment regarding the choice of medications that will be used in the treatment, taking into account the necessity of application of a particular drug and the side effects that may be caused by its use.
Beside the therapy you should try to avoid the dog’s exposure to the allergen as much as possible. You should always inform your trusted veterinarian about all the unusual changes you will eventually notice in your dog or the dog’s behavior.
Remember that you can do a lot to help your dog to successfully overcome this health issue, with a lot of patience, with a lot of perseverance, and above all with lots of love…
There are many dog skin problems that can affect your furry friend’s life if you are not careful enough when it comes to its health. Pets can be affected by the same diseases as humans, such as bacterial infections, fungi, parasites and allergies to environmental stimuli. Diseases affecting dogs’ skin can be divided into 2 categories, namely pathogenic skin diseases and pathological skin diseases.
The first group directly affects a dog’s skin, for example, scabies. The second group initially affects other organs and then a quadruped’s skin.
An example in this regard could be hypothyroidism. Diagnosing and treating these skin diseases require a fairly lengthy process which is not always easy.
Factors That Trigger Skin Diseases in Dogs
Every known skin problems in dogs are caused by 4 types of factors, namely bacterial infections, fungal infections, parasites and allergic reactions.
Bacterial Infections
If a dog has not left the house it can still be susceptible to bacterial infections. Staphylococci can occur at any time and cause problems to any pooch. The staph bacteria can appear from nowhere and make your dog’s life very uncomfortable, as well as your life.
If you notice your dog scratching, especially all over its head and then its itchy areas slowly extend all over its body, this might be a sign that a staph is causing all these problems. The treatment of bacterial infections usually consists of washing the affected dog with antibacterial shampoo or applying antibacterial ointment.
Fungal Infections
Fungal skin diseases usually occur in puppies. Hair loss and skin lesions are common symptoms of such infection. If it is left untreated for too long, it extends and the symptoms get worse. This type of infection may occur anywhere on your dog’s body and it requires medical treatment with antibiotics or antibiotic shampoos.
Since puppies are more vulnerable than adult dogs, you should pay extra attention to any change that occurs in their behavior or on their bodies. Fungal infections are as serious as any other types of infections and they should be treated according to their severity and symptomatology.
Parasites
Parasites such as fleas, ticks and mites can attach to your dog’s fur anytime. Fleas and ticks need fresh blood in order to lay their eggs and to feed. They find a dog’s fur really comfortable because it keeps them warm and provides shelter. As for dust mites, they feed on dead skin cells that are all over you dog’s skin.
All these parasites can infect your pet with various diseases that they carry. If your dog starts scratching more than usual and it has different rashes or bumps on its body, then you should take it to the vet as soon as possible. Most treatments against parasites consist in ointments that are applied externally.
Allergic Reactions
Most allergic reactions that lead to the appearance of skin problems are caused by what your dog inhales or eats. Pollen, dandruff, mold, dust and a variety of chemicals can cause skin problems to a dog. Moreover, mosquito bites or other insect bites can also cause allergic reactions to pooches.
Changing their diet and eliminating allergens from their environment is usually a necessary part of their treatment. However, determining the stimuli that causes allergies can be quite a lengthy process. The vet can only recommend a set of tests and try to identify the cause of the allergy based on the results.
Types of Dermatitis in Dogs
The simplest definition of dermatitis categorizes this disease as an inflammation of the skin. In case of dermatitis, irritation produces itch, is red and may, or may not, be well defined on the skin. Acute dermatitis causes blisters while a less rapid type of dermatitis causes excess dead skin and a form of mange. Chronic dermatitis causes the hardening of the skin or the formation of a crust produced by excessive rubbing.
Among the many causes of dermatitis in dogs are bacteria, parasitic infections, allergies to different foods, flea bite, contact with toxic substances, predispositions of different breeds and adverse reactions to medications.
There are several different types of dermatitis defined by the factor that produces them and by the cellular mechanism responsible for irritation. The most common types of dermatitis met in dogs are allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, pyotraumatic dermatitis and flea allergy dermatitis.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis occurs in dogs that have a hypersensitive reaction to some allergens from the environment. This type of dermatitis is rare and is caused by the contact of a dog’s skin with certain substances. These substances can be metals such as nickel, materials such as rubber, wool and plastic.
Also, among the possible factors that could trigger this disease are paint and carpet deodorant. Allergic contact dermatitis affects only those animals with a hypersensitivity to a certain molecule.
Symptoms of this type of dermatitis are lesions on a dog’s skin that have little hair such as abdomen, nose, lips or back paws. The affected areas have small bumps or blisters on them that are very itchy and red.
The best thing you can do to help a dog with allergic contact dermatitis is to find what exactly makes it allergic. If you fail to identify the source of dermatitis, then you can try to avoid any source of illness. Sometimes vets recommended steroid therapy, but this method is not always effective.
Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when a dog’s skin is exposed to environmental toxins, such as the sap of poison ivy or the salt from the roads. Compared with allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis often occurs in young dogs because they approach toxic substances out of curiosity. Irritant contact dermatitis has the same symptoms as the allergic one, but ulcerations may also appear. There are a few measures to reduce the exposure to allergens in both cases as it follows:
Use glass or stainless steel bowls for food and water because otherwise the exposure to plastic or paint can cause contact dermatitis
Use hypoallergenic detergents and hypoallergenic shampoos to wash your dog’s sheets and toys and to wash it too
Limit access to your dog on grass and choose sidewalks and paved surfaces when you take it out for a walk
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis in dogs occurs between the age of 6 months and 3 years. It is caused by an allergic reaction to one or more substances found in the dog’s environment, which are usually in grass. The genetic construction of a dog may also be a factor that triggers this disease. Some dog breeds are prone to developing eczema, such as Fox terrier, Shar Pei, Dalmatian or Schnauzer.
Among the symptoms of this disorder are itching, scratching and redness, as well as the appearance of scale and local hyperpigmentation of the skin due to scratching. This can cause a type of eczema that is easily confused with mange or ringworm.
The only correct diagnosis can be established after taking intradermal allergy tests. A dog’s face and legs are most often affected by atopic dermatitis, but ear infections are fairly common too. In order to treat this disease you must try to isolate and remove the allergen.
One way to get rid of the allergic reaction that causes atopic dermatitis in dogs can be the subcutaneous administration of certain doses of the allergen. The vet is the only person knowledgeable enough to do this procedure. This method can yield results only after 6 months or a year of treatment.
Pyotraumatic Dermatitis
Pyotraumatic dermatitis is also known as “hot spot” and it manifests through the appearance of a red lesion that is moist on a hairless portion of a dog’s skin, which occurs suddenly. Pyotraumatic dermatitis is caused by bacteria that normally live on the skin.
Dogs scratch a lot overnight, fact which might end up in waking up with a visible wound. Once they have it, they continue to scratch it, bite it or lick the affected area, making it all get worse. This type of dermatitis may occur near a flea bite, but it can also be triggered by an allergic reaction or a contact with an irritant. This disease is most common in warm and humid climates.
Dog breeds with long and thick hair, such as Golden Retriever, Newfoundland, Bernese Mountain Dog and German Shepherds are especially prone to the development of one or more hot spots. Besides taking proper care of a dog’s fur, regular visits to the veterinarian are also recommended in order to identify early signs of disease and receive treatment.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis
Flea allergy dermatitis is the most common allergy in dogs that is caused by a flea bite. Diseased animals develop an allergic reaction to the chemicals found in flea saliva. A single flea bite can cause a lot of suffering to a dog. Dogs with this type of dermatitis may lose their hair from the affected areas, back and tail. Because it is a disease that causes itching, dogs resort to excessive scratching that can expose them to other skin conditions.
Oddly, most animals suffering from this type of dermatitis have few fleas. Dogs scratch a lot and lick themselves a lot on a regular basis, but one flea bite every 2 weeks can determine them to do so permanently.
Diagnosing this type of dermatitis is based on clinical signs. The vet should check the dog thoroughly to find flea bites, fleas and affected areas. Flea allergy dermatitis is treated in 3 phases, namely preventing new flea bites, treating secondary infections of the skin with antibiotics and anti-fungal solutions and the administration of steroids for a short period of time in order to stop the itching.
Other Skin Problems Present in Dogs
Dry Skin
Dry skin is a sign of dog allergies, parasitic infestation and other diseases. However, in most cases, dry skin does not announce anything serious. As in humans, dogs get dry skin during winter.
Candidiasis
If your dog is continually scratching its ears and toenails it is likely to have candidiasis. Symptoms of this infection include irritated skin, discoloration and itching. This infection is present in the ears of a dog because that environment is conducive to development.
Discovered in time, it can be easily treated with the help of special creams.
Folliculitis
Folliculitis is an infectious bacterial disease that causes bumps, wounds and itching. These signs are easier to detect in dogs that have short hair. In those dogs with long hair, folliculitis can be discovered thanks to the fact that their fur loses its brilliance and in some cases they suffer from massive hair loss.
In general, folliculitis occurs together with other skin problems, such as allergies. This infection is usually treated with antibiotics and antibacterial shampoos or creams.
Impetigo
Impetigo, another form of bacterial infection, is more common among puppies. It is characterized by the occurrence of skin blisters filled with fluid, which burst and form a crust. These bubbles are usually formed on the hairless areas of a dog’s abdomen. This is a serious infection that should be treated quickly with various antibacterial creams.
Herpes
Herpes is caused by a fungus and is characterized by circular spots that form anywhere on the body of the dog. Usually occurring on a dog’s head, ears and paws, this inflammation causes hair loss too. Most dogs are prone to this infection, which spreads rapidly if not treated using antifungal agents.
Alopecia
Poor nutrition, stress, disease or allergens cause hair loss in dogs. These quadrupeds suffer from major hair loss in a short period of time. That hair might not grow back depending from case to case.
Seborrhea
Seborrhea is characterized by weight gain and the occurrence of dandruff. In some cases, this condition is genetic and is triggered when dogs are very young.
However, this disease is often caused by other medical problems, such as allergies or hormonal abnormalities. Moreover, it is a functional disorder of the sebaceous glands characterized by excessive secretion of sebum.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a condition that is manifested by redness around the nose, but it can also occur in other parts of the body like head, legs, ears or hips. This fungus is very problematic because it can be transmitted from dog to man. The veterinarian’s intervention is needed in the shortest amount of time possible.
Discoloration or Blemishes
If you notice discoloration or dark spots on your dog, this could be alarming. They might represent serious hormonal or metabolic dysfunctions, among which is cancer.
Skin Neoplasms
Although this sounds like a really bad affection, it is actually not. The only necessary treatment in order to remove skin tumors in dogs is cauterization.
This means that the affected skin will be burned with the help of special tools and in conditions of maximum comfort for the dog.
Eczema
Eczema can occur on dogs’ tails, chests and hips. In general, eczema is caused by a wrong diet, allergies or insect bites. The only person able to determine the main factor that caused eczema is a veterinarian.
Mange or Scabies in Dogs
Mange or scabies is a parasitic disease, highly contagious, determined by the mite parasitism on a dog’s skin. It can be on its skin’s surface or in depth and it can produce skin lesions, scabs, pruritus (itching) and partial or total hair loss.
The mites can be transferred from a sick animal to a healthy one. The dog that carries the mites could also show no signs of affection. Other than that, a dog could get mites from grass, kennel, shelter and so on.
These mites can live up to 15 days in favorable conditions, at temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius and high humidity. Often, puppies take mange from their mother. Nursing females are prone to scabies because their bodies are weakened and their immune systems are not as strong as they were before pregnancy.
Dogs that have high risks of becoming infected are those that receive insufficient food or bad quality food.
In addition, they might be kept in crowded shelters where the humidity is high. Also, dogs receiving prolonged treatment with corticosteroids are prone to getting infected.
Symptoms of mange appear after an incubation period of 14-21 days and are:
Pruritus, which means excessive itching. Dogs scratch so much until they hurt themselves
Crusts, which initially appear on a dog’s head, nose, around its eyes, on its chest and abdomen, followed by its entire body
Areas without hair appear more and more often
Dogs stop eating, lose weight very quickly and the may eventually die
Sarcoptic mange is a form of mange that can be transmitted to humans too. It would be enough for a person to touch an infected dog, cow or goat in order to get it. In addition, it is transmissible between dogs and other animals. Contact is not necessary if the animals sit or share the same shelter, bed or mattress and go there in different moments of the day without meeting.
The treatment for mange consists of bathing, and applying different special substances locally, by injection, or orally. It can also be completed with antibiotics in order to prevent lesions from getting infected. As an adjuvant treatment, there are stimulants for a dog’s immune system, Omega acids, 3, 6, and 9, vitamins A, D3 and E.
When it comes to the duration of the treatment, this varies from dog to dog, depending on the degree of the infestation, the immune status of the dog, and the accuracy of treatment administered by the owner. The duration of this treatment may last from several weeks to several months.
The Importance of Dog Skin Affections
Whether it is scabies or other dog skin affection, dog owners often make mistakes because they do not understand how serious these diseases are and how much they can affect a dog’s general health condition.
Dog owners tend to wait for too long before taking their dogs to the vet. Dogs are often already weakened by injuries. Not to mention that dog owners apply different treatments without knowing what they are doing, listening to neighbors, and so on.
A vet can simply explain all about the disease that affects one’s dog, about how to treat it and what to expect in terms of treatment, which can last for a long period of time. The treatment should not be stopped immediately after a dog shows signs of improvement regardless of which skin affection it suffers from.
Its treatment should be continued until the veterinarian decides it is totally healed. Relapses have a good chance to reoccur if the hygiene and nutrition conditions are not met, so there is a lot of responsibility on a dog owner’s shoulders.
Conclusions for Affected Skin in Dogs
Dog’s skin is prone to injury more than any other part of its body. Whether a dog faces dry skin or oily skin problems, or its skin is stripped of irritations and eczema caused by allergy or dermatitis, there is a natural remedy that can be safely used.
Vitamin E is known to do wonders for tissue repair. It can be added in the water used for bathing the dog and then gently massaged into its skin in order to penetrate deeper layers of its epidermis. Also, if the dog’s skin is severely affected, vitamin E tablets can be administered orally or other supplements with vitamin E.
Remember not to wait too long before taking your dog to the vet as soon as you see that something is wrong with its skin. A lesion will probably not heal if you do nothing about it, especially when it comes to hot spots.
Therefore, shorten the waiting time and immediately care for your dog’s skin diseases. Keep it away from allergens if those are the ones causing it trouble or make sure to feed it correctly in order to build up a stronger immune system that can protect it from any disease, not just a skin disease.
Dog shampoo for allergies may not be that easy to identify especially since there are differences in the type of allergies that they may be experiencing as well as in the dog’s health condition. It is important to determine your dog’s health condition and the source of his or her allergy before applying any shampoo to him.
There had been instances when the dog’s condition actually got worse after a veterinarian-recommended shampoo was used. A thorough examination and analysis of the allergy are extremely important so as to prevent any worsening of skin itches which is the most common manifestation of dog allergy.
Most dog allergies occur when the dog is about 2 or 3 years old. There had also been instances when it occurred much later on in life and has been usually brought about by dog aging. Allergies occur as the body’s immune system fails to correctly identify foreign objects as harmless and reacts as if the material poses a dangerous threat to the body.
Veterinarians attribute the appearance of allergies to a weak digestive system, problems in the immune system, as well as to heredity. The good news is there are steps that you can take to help alleviate or even treat your dog’s allergies.
The whole treatment includes a healthy diet, proper bathing, and grooming, application of topical ointments, as well as the use of medications. But first, we need to understand…
What Are the Root Causes and Types of Allergies?
In order to treat dog allergies effectively, we need to understand its root causes. This way, we can effectively address what is actually wrong in our dog’s system and cut the root source of this problem.
You cannot just simply apply shampoo to dogs with allergies and expect the allergy to go away permanently. Most of the time, the symptoms will return after a few hours and you cannot bathe your dog every 8 hours.
So to better handle the situation, and to give you patience in dealing with the problem, you need to understand why your dog is suffering such a condition:
Genetic causes
Although allergies occur due to some significant exposure to the allergen over a long period of time, there are certain breeds of dogs that are genetically predisposed to allergies. Some of them include the Wire Haired Fox, Retrievers, English Setters, Dalmatians, Pug, Miniature Schnauzer, English bulldog, and Lhasa Apsos.
It is important to take extreme care of these breeds as they can easily catch allergies and the first thing that you will notice is the itch on their skin. This will then progress to the development of hotspots, loss of hair, and persistent scratching which will bother you a lot, especially at night.
Digestive problems
One of the major causes of allergies aside from heredity is the presence of problems in your dog’s gut. Most of the time, it is referred to as a “leaky gut” which is simply the leaking of food particles in your dog’s intestines which then enter the bloodstream and is treated by the body’s immune system as foreign invaders.
The immune system response triggers the creation of immunoglobulins that cause irritation of the skin. Another digestive problem occurs when your dog is put on medication and most of the good bacterial flora is killed. This leads to the increase of yeast and other bad bacteria which can lead to allergy-like symptoms. Take note, however, that most allergies can be accompanied and made worse by skin infections.
Immune system problems
Another possible cause of dog allergy is problems in the immune system. Dogs that have a problematic immune system can become allergic to a lot of objects ranging from pollens to even plastic or rubber materials. This often occurs with the degeneration of the dog’s health as he grows older.
Causes of a poor immune system can also be a poor diet, lack of exposure to the sun, and physical exercise. Due to the lack of necessary nutrients and physical exertion, the body’s immune system can be thrown into chaos and normal objects can be regarded as an allergen triggering various symptoms.
One of the great ways to determine if your dog has an allergy is to get him tested. If you’d like to know more, please read our article on the process of getting your dog tested for allergies.
Dog allergies are categorized according to the method by which the dog acquires the allergen. They are classified as Atopic or those that are acquired through inhalation of allergens, food allergies, contact allergies, and flea allergies. It is important to determine which type of allergy your dog has so you can provide the right type of preventative methods to alleviate the symptoms.
Knowing the source or cause of the allergy will help provide guidelines on what to do with your dog’s condition. Through this, you will know what activities to avoid and measures to implement in order to lessen the amount of allergen which may be present in their immediate surroundings.
Atopic allergies
These are the types of allergies that are acquired by your dog through the air that they inhale. These can vary from simple dust to pollen from grass and trees. Most of these types of allergies are seasonal, i.e. in spring, when pollen is considered to be high.
Some of the more common sources of pollen allergy are cedar, oak, ragweed, ash, and goldenrods. Grass pollens can be high when you are cutting or mowing your lawn as well. Other airborne sources of allergies are molds, dust mites, and mildew. Dogs who have atopic allergies exhibit itchiness on their feet, faces, and armpits.
Food allergies
Just like humans, dogs can also develop allergic reactions to certain types of food. There are no set types of food that are considered to be allergic to canines as they can come in all forms but the most common are just like those in humans: soy, corn, eggs, wheat, some types of proteins, etc.
It can be pretty hard to determine which type of food your dog is allergic to and the process involves what is called an elimination method.
Your dog will be fed a particular type of dog food for weeks or even months and then one by one, foods will be reintroduced and assessed whether your dog will develop an allergic reaction.
Contact allergies
These are allergies that develop when your dog’s skin comes into contact with a specific material or object. Some of the more common types of allergens in this category include beddings, grass, cleaners, plastic materials, detergents, and other types of chemicals. The areas that are most commonly affected by this type of allergy are the dog’s belly, feet, elbows, and muzzle.
You will commonly see a reddish patch of the skin due to excessive scratching and chewing off of the affected area. These can then develop into bumps and papules which is often the result of secondary infections as the skin becomes more sensitive and exposed due to wounds and bruises.
Flea allergies
These are the types of allergies brought about by the presence of ticks, fleas, or when other types of insects bite your dog’s skin. Your dog may not be allergic to pollen but when he gets bitten by these insects, they develop a serious rash and may persistently scratch their skin due to the irritation.
Symptoms include skin rashes and redness and can occur mainly on the dog’s tail, legs, and back. It is essential to carefully remove dog ticks and fleas as they can cause some injury when pulled forcefully. Ointments and shampoos can help you remove them aside from anti-allergy dog shampoos.
What Types of Dog Allergy Shampoos Can You Use?
There are different types of dog allergy shampoos that you can use just as there are varying causes of them.
You can choose from natural or medicated shampoos to help address the symptoms of the allergy. Treating the root cause of the allergy itself will involve other methods such as getting on a specific type of diet and taking nutritional supplements and medications.
It is important however to make use of both methods, treating the symptom as well as the root cause, in order to get the best results for your dog. Not only will it benefit your pet, you will also enjoy less stress, especially at night when they whine and scratch persistently.
Oatmeal shampoos – One of the most recommended and commonly used dog shampoos for allergies are those which contain oatmeal. Oatmeal is known for its moisturizing properties but it also has anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties. You have to be careful though since oats also contain sugars which are what bacteria and other microorganisms thrive on.
Some pets have experienced worsening allergies to using oatmeal. But, if your dog does not exhibit any negative reaction to oat shampoos, you can even create your own by boiling 1 cup of oatmeal in about 4 cups of water and combining it with shampoo for sensitive skin such as Selsun Blue.
Aloe Vera shampoos – Aloe Vera Shampoos are notable for their antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. They offer immediate relief from itching and provide moisturizing effects on the skin as well.
Aloe Vera however can be irritating on the soft tissues of the skin so it may need to be applied in a very diluted form or combined with menthol in order to prevent any itching that it can cause with exposed wounds. The eyes also need to be protected from the shampoo as well. But all in all, this shampoo is recommendable for all types of skin allergies and will also help to promote the healing of wounds.
Hydrocortisone shampoos – These types of shampoos are especially recommended for the soothing of allergies caused by insect bites. They help reduce inflammation as well as itchiness which often causes your dog to bite and scratch away at the area which had been bitten by the tick. This is a type of medicated shampoo and may not be available over-the-counter just like other dog shampoos due to the risks that are involved in case an overdose happens.
It may be recommended by your vet where you can also obtain it. The use of this shampoo is somehow limited as well compared to those containing natural ingredients.
Herbal shampoos – These are other types of shampoos that contain tinctures or essences of various herbs and even mineral clay. Some of the more commonly used herbs include tea tree oil which is known for its antiseptic properties, green tea, chamomile, rosewood, lavender, and bentonite clay which has detox and antibacterial properties, as well as geranium oil.
The benefits of herbal shampoos are often combined with aloe vera or oatmeal in order to enhance the results. They are recommended if your dog has very sensitive skin and could not endure medicated types of shampoos. Aside from their soothing properties, they also help the skin to heal and control the growth of yeast and bacteria which is commonly associated with dog allergies.
How Often Should You Shampoo Your Dog?
The answer to this question varies among veterinarians. For some, the recommended routine is about once or twice a week while others recommend more frequent bathing especially when your dog has a severe skin problem due to the allergy.
One of the reasons why some vets recommend everyday bathing is due to the fact that yeast and bacteria tend to accumulate at a much faster speed in dogs with allergies and the only way to control their growth is by frequently removing them by bathing.
Other vets, however, recommend about twice a week since regular bathing will strip the dog’s skin and coat of its natural oils which can lead to the worsening of skin problems.
But insofar as a dog’s convenience is concerned, they will benefit more from frequent bathing as it helps to soothe itchiness. The presence of dirt and bacteria on the surface of the skin will definitely affect how comfortable they will be for the rest of the day.
Aside from that, it will also help calm down your dog through the warm water and pampering that they receive from you. You will also be able to get to know which areas are problematic and will help you to address them early on. It will also help comfort your dog knowing that their owners care about them.
Do You Really Need to Use a Special Shampoo?
Dogs can also develop allergies just like humans and this can cause a lot of skin problems to them. Dry, itchy, red, and swollen skin are just some of the indicators that your dog may already be experiencing allergies which is why it is important to use a shampoo made specifically for addressing these problems without causing further harm.
Dog shampoo for allergies is formulated with properties that help control the growth of bacteria, yeast, fungi, and inflammation which can worsen your dog’s skin as well as provide healing properties to help them take back the natural oils that will nourish your dog’s coat and skin.
What is good about these shampoos is that they aid in the treatment of the symptoms of allergies and some of their components can be absorbed through the skin to help promote better well-being for your dog.
These include the vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols that help regulate the body’s inflammatory reactions as well as provide detoxifying properties to help rid your dog of toxins that may be hampering the immune system’s response as well.
So not only do they help soothe your dog from the itching, redness, and swelling that often accompanies allergies they also help strengthen their bodies as well.
It should be noted however, dog shampoos are not the end of the treatment process for allergic dogs. One has to tackle their overall health as well and this includes the provision of a balanced and healthy diet that will help restore the normal functioning of your dog’s immune system.
This includes adding vitamins that have antioxidant properties such as vitamin A, C, and E to help promote the health of the immune system; fatty acids to help decrease inflammation and to regulate the health of your dog’s coat and fur; as well as the elimination of foods that your dog may be allergic to.
Keep in mind that shampoos can only do so much. If you’re interested in learning about other treatment methods, we have a great article on the most effective dog allergy medicines.
Just like us, dogs can develop allergies which can greatly affect their quality of life. They can suffer from swollen and teary eyes as well as persistent itching skin which can lead to infections and other skin problems.
Not all dog shampoos are suitable for a dog with allergies as they may contain ingredients that can actually harm and worsen their skin condition.
Look for dog shampoos for allergies such as those that contain oatmeal, aloe vera, hydrocortisone, and herbal ingredients which provide a natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, moisturizing, and healing effect for their skin.
Aside from this, complement them with other treatments such as allergy injections, steroids, and drug medications which are made to inhibit allergic reactions to provide overall comfort for your dog.
It’s possible that your dog may have another underlying skin condition that is causing his itching. If you’d like to know, we have a great article on skin problems in dogs.
A sparkling coat, wagging tail, and bright eyes often take center stage when we think about a healthy and happy dog. However, an essential yet sometimes overlooked aspect of canine well-being is dental health.
Just like humans, dogs require regular dental care to maintain strong teeth and gums, ensuring a lifetime of comfort and vitality. In this guide, we’ll delve into practical tips to keep your dog’s teeth clean and healthy.
1. Regular Brushing
The cornerstone of good oral hygiene for dogs is regular brushing. Using a dog-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste, gently massage your pet’s teeth and gums. Begin slowly, allowing your dog to get accustomed to the process.
Making it a positive experience by offering praise or a small treat afterward can create a positive association with brushing. Aim for consistency, brushing your dog’s teeth at least two to three times a week to prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar.
This routine not only maintains dental health but also strengthens the bond between you and your furry friend. Remember to use toothpaste formulated specifically for dogs, as human toothpaste can be harmful to them.
2. Balanced Diet
A well-balanced diet plays a vital role in your dog’s overall health, including their dental hygiene. Choose high-quality dog food with a focus on dental health, opting for formulations that support strong teeth and gums.
Additionally, consider incorporating dental treats into your dog’s routine. These specially formulated treats not only provide a tasty reward but also contribute to reducing plaque and tartar buildup.
The combination of a nutritious diet and dental treats ensures that your dog receives the essential nutritional needs for overall well-being. Always consult with your veterinarian to determine the most suitable diet for your dog’s specific health requirements.
3. Professional Dental Check-Ups
Regular veterinary check-ups are essential for monitoring your dog’s dental health. During these visits, your veterinarian can identify any emerging dental issues and provide professional cleanings when necessary.
These cleanings involve scaling and polishing your dog’s teeth, ensuring a thorough removal of plaque and tartar. Professional dental care is crucial for maintaining your dog’s oral health over the long term, addressing potential problems before they escalate and cause discomfort for your pet.
Schedule regular dental check-ups in consultation with your vet to stay proactive about your dog’s dental well-being.
4. Dog Chews
Dog chews are a delightful way to keep your pet entertained while actively supporting dental health. Opt for natural and safe chews specifically designed for oral hygiene. An excellent option to consider is the use of beef trachea for dogs.
Besides being a natural source of chondroitin and glucosamine, which contribute to joint health, beef trachea’s chewing action effectively helps clean teeth by reducing plaque and tartar buildup.
Ensure that the beef trachea is of high quality, sourced from reputable suppliers, and introduce it gradually to monitor your dog’s reaction. This chew not only enhances oral health but also fulfills your dog’s instinct to chew, promoting a healthy and happy canine companion.
5. Water Additives for Oral Health
In addition to brushing and providing dental treats, consider incorporating water additives into your dog’s routine. There are specially formulated water additives available that can help control plaque and fight bacteria in your dog’s mouth.
These additives are easy to use; simply add them to your dog’s water bowl according to the instructions. While they’re not a substitute for brushing, they can be a valuable addition to your dog’s oral care regimen, promoting fresher breath and overall dental health.
Introduce water additives gradually and monitor your dog’s water intake to ensure they adapt well to the change.
6. Supervise Chewing Activities
While chewing is beneficial for your dog’s teeth, it’s crucial to supervise their chewing activities, especially with new treats or toys. Always introduce new items cautiously, observing your dog’s response to ensure they chew safely without any signs of discomfort or difficulty.
Monitor your dog to ensure they are not attempting to swallow large pieces or at risk of choking. Regularly inspect toys and treats for signs of wear, such as small or sharp edges, and replace them promptly as needed.
Providing a safe chewing environment helps prevent accidents and ensures that your dog reaps the full dental benefits of their chew toys without any associated risks. Additionally, consider choosing toys of appropriate size and durability based on your dog’s breed, size, and chewing habits.
If you notice any changes in your dog’s chewing behavior or suspect any dental issues, consult with your veterinarian for guidance on the best chew options and overall dental care.
7. Provide Dental Toys
Chewing is a natural behavior for dogs and an effective way to promote dental health. Offer a variety of dental toys designed to encourage chewing, as this helps remove plaque and tartar.
Look for toys with textured surfaces that can reach different areas of the teeth, providing a comprehensive cleaning effect. Durable rubber toys also serve the dual purpose of promoting mental stimulation for your dog, keeping them engaged and content.
Rotate different dental toys to keep your dog’s interest and ensure they receive a well-rounded dental care experience. Always choose toys made from safe materials and free from small parts that could pose a choking hazard.
8. Dental Wipes or Pads
In addition to brushing, consider using dental wipes or pads specifically designed for dogs. These products offer an alternative method to maintain your dog’s oral hygiene, especially if they are resistant to traditional brushing.
Gently rub the dental wipe or pad along your dog’s teeth and gums, focusing on areas where plaque tends to accumulate.
Choose wipes with canine-friendly ingredients that help control bacteria and freshen your breath. While dental wipes can complement your overall dental care routine, they are not a substitute for regular brushing. Incorporate them as part of a comprehensive strategy to keep your dog’s teeth clean and healthy.
Final Thoughts
As devoted companions, our dogs rely on us to ensure their well-being in every aspect, and dental health is no exception.
By incorporating these simple yet effective tips into your routine, you’re not just enhancing your canine companion’s smile; you’re investing in their long-term health and happiness.
Regular attention to your dog’s oral care not only prevents potential dental issues but also fosters a stronger bond between you and your furry friend.
Have you ever had to deal with an allergy? Be it caused by pollen, dander, or food allergens, humans have been plagued by numerous allergies that could have annoying and uncomfortable symptoms.
These symptoms may include red eyes, a runny nose, mild to moderate itching, redness, or even rashes. Scientifically, allergies are described as a reaction in which the immune system exhibits hypersensitivity to a certain substance in the environment that normally incites no negative reaction. Such substance is known as an allergen.
Over time, numerous medications have been developed to combat different types of allergies, and this has worked to the advantage of many people.
But did you know that dogs have allergies too? The symptoms that appear in dogs are highly similar to those in humans. These symptoms appear when your pet’s immune system starts to identify some everyday allergens as dangerous.
Despite the fact that allergens and symptoms are comparable between humans and our pets, dogs actually have it worse because they are unable to let us know immediately whenever they’re not feeling well. As a result, symptoms may go on undetected for days or even weeks.
Imagine how uncomfortable it must be for a dog to experience a prolonged manifestation of symptoms from an allergic reaction. You wouldn’t want that for your pet, would you? To prevent this from happening, this article informs all pet parents about common dog allergies and how to treat these ailments to ensure optimum pet health.
Allergens and Pre-disposing Factors
Dogs and humans have an uncannily similar list of common allergens. These allergens can be found in our environment every day and almost everywhere—from parks, to grocery stores, to our very own homes.
One thing to note about allergens is that they do not necessarily appear to be dangerous and are therefore not something that you would normally avoid. This may work to our disadvantage because when a substance appears to be dangerous, we automatically avoid it and keep our pets away from it.
In contrast, when something is apparently harmless, we make no effort to avoid it and we allow our pets to be continually exposed to it. Thus, our pets have a higher likelihood of being exposed to the allergen and of suffering from an allergic reaction.
Once an allergic reaction is activated, the symptoms that are associated with it may range from being mild to severe and, in some cases, may be difficult to address.
Below is a list of the most common allergens. This list could go a long way in terms of giving you a heads up on what you should prevent your pet from being exposed to.
Cigarette smoke. This allergen is very common in the environment and may often exist in your own household or in the places you and your dog often visit, such as the park. Smoke from a cigarette may trigger an allergic reaction when inhaled and may cause your pet to have a runny nose with frequent sneezing.
Cleaning agents. Isn’t it ironic that the chemicals we use to maintain the cleanliness of our surroundings could actually be the culprits behind allergic reactions in our pets? Many cleaning agents may have a strong odor that may trigger a nasal allergy. Aside from this, harsh chemical ingredients may result in irritation or redness when they come in contact with the skin.
Dander. You read that right. Do you have several pets of different breeds or species in your household? In some rare instances, this may pose a problem because some dogs may be allergic to the dander of other pets of breeds.
Dust. This is the most common substance that takes the blame for causing nasal allergies, even in humans. Exposure to this allergen almost always causes a negative reaction.
Dust Mites. These are the invisible creatures that inhabit our dwellings by the hundreds of thousands and even up to millions. The waste product of these creatures is a potent allergen that may cause mild to moderate reactions when inhaled.
Feathers. Is your home located near a wooded area frequented by birds? Or do you have a bird as a pet? If your answer is affirmative, please note that this may not bode well for your dog that may be allergic to bird feathers.
Food ingredients (like meat, corn, and soy). Food is a broad category, which makes it difficult to pinpoint exactly what it is that may trigger an allergic reaction in your dog. When your pet exhibits symptoms after food consumption, your best bet is to break down what your pet has eaten and try to isolate the allergen.
Perfumes. Similar to cleaning agents, some perfumes may have a strong odor that may activate an allergic reaction in your pet.
Shampoo (medicated or fancy scented). Although it may seem pleasant, the fancy scent of dog shampoo may result in nose itching or sneezing in your pet. Meanwhile, medicated shampoos may be harsh on the sensitive skin of your dog.
One interesting fact to note here is that dogs can exhibit symptoms at any age, which means that even if your dog had a generally healthy and allergen-free life as a puppy, there is still a chance for it to show signs of dog allergies in later years as an adult. When this happens, extensive history-taking may be required to isolate the allergen and identify its source.
This is why it is essential for you to be very honest with your veterinarian regarding your dog’s environment at home, the places that you bring it to, the pet products that you use, and what it usually eats.
Doing so, would ensure that proper medical management could be achieved. Being transparent regarding all relevant health information will expedite the process of determining the substance or substances responsible for triggering the allergic reaction and correspondingly identifying the most effective medical intervention.
If you’d like to know more about specific kinds of dog allergies, please read our article on dog allergy treatment and the different options that are available to you.
Breeds Requiring Special Care
All dogs serve as a source of love, affection, and companionship for their owners. Without exception, these pets bring much joy to their loving parents. However, when it comes to having allergies, not all dogs are created equal.
While it is true that as responsible pet owners, we must be vigilant about protecting our dogs’ health regardless of breed, it is important to note that there are a number of dog breeds that are more highly predisposed to having allergies than others.
If you are an owner of any of the breeds given in the list below, please note that your pet may require careful monitoring and special care, especially in terms of the food that they consume, the products you use on them and on your home, as well as the places that you bring them to. These breeds run a high risk of having a negative reaction to one or more allergens.
Setters: English Setter; Gordon Setter; Irish Setter; White Setter.
Flat-faced Breeds: Pugs and Bulldogs.
General Allergy Symptoms in Dogs
Allergens could be ingested, inhaled, or applied. Moreover, they may have simply come into contact with your dog’s skin. When your pet’s immune system triggers an alarm to remove the allergen, numerous symptoms can be observed.
Depending on the type of allergen and the means of exposure, dogs may exhibit different symptoms and signs of dog allergies. Moreover, given that humans and dogs share some of the most common allergy symptoms, identifying them as they appear can often be done with ease.
Generalized itching. In humans and dogs alike, itchiness of the skin is a common symptom that manifests immediately after an allergen is applied to, or comes in contact with, the skin. This is an uncomfortable sensation and may bring on a bout of scratching, which may result in the breaking of the skin and further inflammation.
Scratching that is more frequent than usual. Dogs are bound to engage in a fit of scratching every so often. However, prolonged and very frequent scratching may be an indicator that something is amiss. Scratching is highly related to itching and, as mentioned above, may cause further damage to the skin, especially when the allergen is not identified and treatment is not initiated.
Sneezing. This is a trademark of a nasal allergy. A number of allergens, including pollen, dander, dust, and smoke are very likely to cause a sneezing fir upon inhalation.
Vomiting. This symptom is alarming when it occurs, as it may be an indicator of an allergy or a more severe illness. When an allergen is ingested, vomiting often occurs. A high frequency of vomiting may result in a grave worsening of your dog’s condition, especially if not immediately addressed.
Swollen paws. Swelling may be an end-effect of the ingestion of an allergen. This may or may not be painful, depending on the severity. However, your best bet is to consult your veterinarian if you observe this symptom in your pet.
Continuous licking. Among all the allergy symptoms, this is something that may not be detected immediately, simply because it seems so normal. However, when you notice your pet doing this more than usual, you should examine the target area to determine whether any skin irritation is present.
These allergy symptoms can be observed moments after ingestion of, or contact with, an allergen. Due to discomfort, irritation and itching often result in certain behavioral changes in your pet.
Dog breeds that are short-tempered will seem to be very bothered and will become irritable and exasperated, whereas the more sweet-tempered ones may appear anxious or unresponsive. Because dogs cannot tell us what they are actually feeling, they only rely on their “body language” — such as scratching, licking, and whimpering — to inform us that something is amiss.
Your Vet is Your Friend
Upon observation of any common signs of dog allergies, you should pay a visit to your veterinarian. The earlier the management has been initiated, the sooner the treatment will be administered. There have been reported cases of deaths because the pet parent had the misconception that the allergy symptoms in dogs will just “go away.” This is usually not the case.
If symptoms are left unaddressed, more serious complications are likely to emerge. A quick visit to your veterinarian can reveal the important details related to the allergic reaction. Moreover, timely blood tests, administration of medication, and diet modification can go a long way toward getting your pet back in shape.
Diagnosing Dog Allergies
If the symptoms persist after the initial treatment, allergy testing can be performed by a veterinary dermatologist. This type of testing is similar to ones performed on humans. Skin tests may cause mild discomfort to your dog when the skin is pricked. Reactions may manifest if your dog is allergic to the tested substance. These reactions include itching, a stuffy or runny nose, red watery eyes, or a skin rash.
In contrast, diagnosing a food allergy may be more difficult because you would have to place your dog on a modified diet, the most common of which is the hydrolyzed protein diet. This diet should be given for twelve weeks or until the symptoms go away. A hydrolyzed protein diet is allergen-free.
Once your veterinarian clears your dog of allergic reaction, you can start reintroducing the usual foods that your pet consumes to determine which ones are triggering the allergic reaction. It should be emphasized that your dog should not consume anything outside the prescribed diet, which should include treats, human food, or any flavored medication. Pet parents should be stern with their dogs when it comes to discipline in relation to diet to ensure proper compliance, especially because dogs often cannot resist eating every morsel of food that is accessible or available.
You can learn more about the specifics of dog allergy testing so you know what to expect during your next vet visit.
Treatments and Medications
The best treatment for any allergy is the elimination of any existing or potential allergen that may activate symptoms in your dog. The removal of any or all allergens will significantly reduce the chance of triggering allergies, thereby improving the quality of life for both the pet parent and the fur baby.
Remember that prevention is always better than cure. If fleas are the culprits responsible for an allergy, you may initiate a flea control program for all your pets before the start of the season.
Always remember that regardless of how clear you maintain your home to achieve a flea-free environment, outdoor pets can always reintroduce fleas indoors. You may consult your veterinarian for advice regarding the best flea control products that are compatible for use with your dog.
Now if the problem is dust, you may schedule the cleaning of your pet’s bedding at least once a week. Vacuuming curtains, rugs, and other indoor materials that collect dust at least twice a week may significantly reduce the occurrence of dust-related allergies.
Hygiene is also important for dogs. Scheduled bathing not only relieves itching and removes potential allergens from your dog’s skin, but also improves comfort and health. You may consult your vet regarding the ideal bathing frequency and the ideal shampoo that is suitable for your dog’s needs.
Keep in mind that frequent bathing may actually be more harmful than helpful, as it may dry out skin, especially when using the wrong product. If the problem is food allergy, your veterinarian can prescribe a hydrolyzed protein diet until the specific allergen has been determined. Thereafter, your vet will recommend a specific food list or possibly a home-cooked diet.
There are certain substances that cannot be removed from the environment. However, your veterinarian may suggest medications that may alleviate any allergic reaction. Allergy injections can be administered to dogs that are sensitive to airborne allergens. The mechanism of these injections is that they enhance the resistance of your pet to the allergen. Immune-modulating drugs can also help.
Meanwhile, when fleas are to blame, there are numerous flea-preventing products that can be applied on your dog’s skin on a monthly basis. Supplements, medicated shampoos, and sprays can also soothe existing skin infections caused by allergies. A holistic treatment approach can be suggested by your veterinarian depending on the existing allergy symptoms.
If you’re interested in what shampoos work best on dog allergies, take a look at our article on how to find the right allergy shampoo for your dog.
With the amount of love and joy that they bring into our lives, our dogs deserve the best possible care from us. For many pet parents, any sign of illness or discomfort in our dogs would cause us to feel anxious and worried.
It is important that we understand the unique needs of our pets and that we take all the necessary steps to ensure that our dogs remain in optimum health. Like humans, dogs deserve the best quality of life, which can be achieved in a great home environment that is free from any health hazards.
Pet parents should work for hand in hand with a veterinarian to provide the best possible treatment for afflicted pets and to help ensure that the necessary precautions are taken to prevent any negative reaction from reoccurring in the future.
When dogs’ health needs are met, pet parents are sure to be rewarded with countless more years of loyalty and affection.
My dog won’t eat and there is no obvious reason why. Many dog owners get worried as soon as their dogs start refusing food. However, the reasons are so varied that you have to carefully observe your dog before panicking.
Although this might sound strange since dogs love to eat, there are some dogs that get bored of eating the same food every day and they simply stop. In these cases, their owners just have to find tastier food for them in order to solve the problem.
Conversely, a dog might suffer from an emotional disorder that can take away its appetite, such as moving to another house, being left alone for too long, and so on. All these factors may affect a dog’s mealtime and it might try to attract attention by not eating.
Moreover, loss of appetite can also be a symptom of the disease. If the situation persists, the best option is to take it to the vet for a clinical exam and some tests. If this phase lasts for too long, it can lead to serious health problems. Apart from not eating, dogs affected by this will also have the tendency to sleep a lot due to loss of energy.
Possible Reasons for Dogs That Refuse Food
Physical discomfort with symptoms of depression or stress is enough to determine a dog not to eat. If the rejection of food is temporary and its lack of appetite reverses in a few hours, you don’t have to worry, but you should keep in mind that this episode might generate subsequent problems.
However, if your dog presents other symptoms besides refusing food and water, then it is necessary to take urgent measures in order to determine what is wrong with it. While not all cases of disinterest in food are a result of illness, it is advisable to consult a vet.
When you see your dog acting lifeless and when its food bowl stays intact for more than half a day, you should check its body for any signs of injury and also take its temperature.
When a dog is inactive and it seems sad, it might have behavioral reasons to act this way. Of course, it might also suffer from a physical disability that prevents it from moving normally. That is why you should make sure it is not injured or in pain.
Obviously, there are many other reasons why a dog would refuse food. You might say, “My dog won’t eat or drink”, but have you tried to be firm about it? In order to encourage your dog to eat and make it feel safe, you can stay with it while eating or you can offer it a tasty reward every time it takes a bite.
Changing its food is probably the first recommended step that you could take. Keep in mind to choose a balanced diet and add extra vitamins if necessary. This is a matter that might not be good to try to solve alone.
Behavioral Reasons
The behavioral reasons for this issue are not too serious, but they still have to be solved. In general, anorexia in dogs lasts for one day during which they seem healthy.
If instead the dogs appear to be healthy, but their lack of appetite persists for more than one day, there may be an additional medical reason too. Among the behavioral reasons are:
Stress linked to new owners or a new living environment. A dog that changes homes or is adopted might refuse to eat until it accommodates
Stress that occurs when going in new places or on vacation
A new addition to the family, such as a baby or a new pet
Stress when a dog is housed in a kennel
Stress when a dog is left in the house of another caregiver when its owners go on vacation
Boredom because of eating the same thing every day
Medical Reasons
The medical reasons are usually serious, so dogs should receive immediate attention from a veterinarian. Some dogs get anorexia, but not eating for more than 24 hours is not acceptable.
A dog can live 3 days without eating, but you should take it to the vet after one day. A doctor can intervene with intravenous aid. However, waiting for too long will make it impossible for a vet to save an ill dog. Among the medical reasons are:
Digestive problems: Examples are diarrhea and vomiting
Liver diseases: Among these diseases, we can count cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis. The latter is not similar to the one in humans and it is not contagious either
Blood diseases: Anemia and blood loss are the most common reasons for this category, but there are also situations when the dog suffers from a stomach ulcers.
Infections: Different bacterial or viral infections.
Respiratory diseases: Asthma and the Kennel cough are 2 of the respiratory diseases that could affect a dog’s appetite. It loses its ability to smell what it is about to eat, so it loses interest.
Other medical reasons: The list may continue with dental or periodontal diseases, pancreatitis, kidney failure, inflammatory bowel syndrome, urinary tract infection, constipation, severe worm infestation, Addison’s disease, and pain due to injury.
Specific Reasons for Dogs That Don’t Eat
1. Anorexia in Dogs
Anorexia in dogs occurs when a pooch’s part of the brain that is responsible for its appetite cannot be activated. A physical disorder might influence a dog’s appetite radically to the point of not eating or not feeling like eating at all. Aging and head injuries are factors that can trigger anorexia in dogs.
However, bowel obstruction and severe symptoms of stress may also result in anorexia. Unlike in humans, cases of anorexic dogs are rare, even if they might go through situations that cause them anxiety and fear as often as humans do.
This is not a negligible issue even if it is not life threatening and it is usually curable.
2. Sick or Injured Dogs
If your dog is sick or injured, then it might be in so much pain that it cannot eat. In addition, you might have lost a tooth that you don’t know about, so check this aspect as well. A tooth loss can cause a loss of appetite.
Also, as a result of changing your dog’s food, it might have an adverse reaction and start vomiting all it eats, ending up stopping eventually. In such a case, the classic solution is not to feed it for 24 hours and then to put it back on its normal diet. Fresh water must always be at your dog’s disposal. You should change it every 4 hours and make sure it isn’t too cold.
3. Dogs That Are in Heat
Dogs that are in heat tend to forget to eat or they simply lose interest for food temporarily. Because of all the physical changes that take place inside a dog’s body when it is in heat, it is simply too preoccupied about finding a partner in order to reproduce instead of attending its regular meals. Of course, this should not happen to dogs that were sterilized or castrated.
The hormonal changes are no longer a possible reason. If your dog is in heat, do not worry about its appetite. It will be naturally restored in a matter of days. However, make sure to at least keep it hydrated.
4. Dogs That Are Older
Adult dogs that are older have less appetite than younger dogs. This is a normal thing to happen because as they grow old, their level of activity decreases and their physical necessities are no longer the same. A dog that gets older might start eating once per day instead of 3 times per day as it used to.
Also, it might not be as active as before and it might seem sad sometimes. In order to be sure age is the reason, you should take it to the vet. The similarity between the medical symptoms and these symptoms is worrying.
5. Digestive Tract Obstruction in Dogs
This may be the worst case of all, though it is less common. If your dog has swallowed a ball, a sock or a large piece of wood, it might be stuck somewhere in its digestive tract. Its stomach or its intestines might be obstructed by such an object.
Therefore, its transit is blocked because it cannot function properly, so a dog cannot eat and it is also constipated. If this is the case, only a specialist can take care of the problem. Surgery is sometimes the only option to solve this type of obstruction, but it really depends on its severity.
6. Boredom in Dogs
The most common reason why a dog stops eating is boredom. If we ate the same meal every day, we would most definitely end up disgusted and stopped eating in no time. The same applies to dogs that might get bored after weeks, months or even years of eating the same food.
This is a completely normal reaction and it can be handled by finding another type of food that has a different smell and a different taste compared with the initial one. In addition, there are a few tricks that you can use to determine a stubborn dog to eat.
Trick Your Dog to Eat
1. Find the Right Flavor
Sometimes, the easiest way to determine your dog to eat again is to buy another type of food that it likes better. For example, you could buy more types of food in small quantities and let your dog pick. Some people don’t care if the dog likes its food as long as they consider it good enough for the dog.
Moreover, if your dog has never been very enthusiastic about its food, try giving it different foods. You could even try to combine its regular food with a new kind in order to make its transition easier. If that doesn’t work, then you can alternate between the 2 kinds of food and avoid boredom in this way.
2. Human Food is Not for Dogs
Once a dog tastes human food, it might not want to go back to their regular food. A pork chop smells better and it tastes better than any dog dry food, but it is not good for the dog’s health.
Giving leftovers to a dog is not a good option for its health. Human food does not provide the nutrients a dog needs and despite that it contains salt and other spices that are strictly prohibited. A dog’s digestion might have to suffer if it ingests something its stomach is not used with.
In case your dog is too used with eating your food, then the solution is to combine it with dog food. At the beginning, the proportion has to be 80% human food and 20% dog food and increase proportionally in time.
3. Establish an Eating Schedule
A dog that has its food bowl full all the time might stop eating because it knows that food will always be there and it could eat later. However, it might have little interest in that food and eventually not eat it at all.
In order to determine your dog to eat, you should only leave the food bowl for a half an hour at its disposal. Then, you should take it away, thus teaching it that it does not have unlimited time to eat and if it is hungry, it should proceed when you offer it food, not when it pleases.
4. Prepare Interesting Meals
In order to make your dog curious about the food it has in its bowl, you could mix canned food with dry food. Moreover, you could alternate between these 2 types of food by serving one type in the morning and another type for dinner.
The food’s smell has much to do with its charm, especially for dogs that have a developed sense of smell. Dry food smells less, while canned food has a strong smell. Canned foods containing meat, fish and cereals are more aromatic than others. Make experiments and observe which combination is the most successful for your dog!
5. Administer Appetite Stimulants
A veterinarian can prescribe a few appetite stimulants for your dog if he or she concludes that there is nothing else wrong with your dog medically speaking. Supplements such as Omega 3 are known to be beneficial in case of appetite loss.
Also, salmon oil is known to make food more appealing for dogs. A teaspoon of salmon oil added to dog food could make wonders. There is no recipe that works for every dog, so you will have to try multiple solutions until you find the one that best suits your dog’s needs during critical moments like appetite loss.
Critical Situations That Need Immediate Care
As seen, for most dogs there is a critical period of 3 days when you can try different tricks to feed them, but there are some cases when you have to act immediately. These cases are:
Your dog loses more than 10% of its weight
Your dog has recently undergone surgery
Your dog suffers from nausea or diarrhea
Your dog has an infection, fever or has suffered a trauma
Your dog needs antibiotics or has a chronic disease
Your dog has a form of cancer
Dogs that eat very little could also die of starvation in approximately 10 days. A dog’s body is not that strong as it looks. If it doesn’t receive the needed nutrients for an extended period of time, its immune system might get weaker and its organs might not function properly.
Do not wait until your dog is visibly weaker and it barely moves. Take action before the situation aggravates. There are times when you can’t do anything but take your dog to the vet.
Appetite Loss Conclusions for Dogs
As with almost any other affection, appetite loss is not something that should worry you from the start. However, it is something that you should observe closely and that you should try to fix by doing what you can from the tricks presented above and anything else you can think of. It is very important to know when the situation gets out of control and when it becomes mandatory to go see the vet.
Fortunately, there are ways a dog can be fed intravenously, so the vet can definitely save a dog that is dehydrated and hasn’t eaten in days. Moreover, the vet can also identify what exactly is wrong with your dog.
In case it has emotional issues, then you should be honest with the vet regarding your home situation and what exactly might have determined your dog to react in this way. In this case honesty might be an indicator of the factor that determined appetite loss, so do not hold back any information.
If your dog is already sick, then you should do whatever you can in order to comfort it and ensure all the conditions it needs to get better.
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Common causes of skin conditions can include:
The first is a medicated flea bath, a simple shampoo that should rid your dog of his visitors. Not all dogs like baths though and it can be a struggle to get them in the water. So if you have one of those dogs why not try a flea spray that will kill them off just as effectively?
It would be useful here to note that flea collars are not a particularly effective way to prevent fleas and are certainly not suitable to get rid of fleas. Also if your dog is distressed by his itching or is causing himself harm by scratching and biting you could try giving him some Benadryl. This should settle your dog and relieve his itch.
It can be extremely difficult to pin point what your dog is allergic to with this allergy and even harder to avoid the cause of it. For example, imagine never allowing your dog on grass again. You could however ask your vet to perform tests which will pin point the allergy.
These can be expensive though and may not end in a solution to the problem. It is nigh on impossible to avoid pollen for example or dust mites for that matter. Probably the best you can do is give your dog regularly medicated baths and Benadryl to ease the itching.
It would be useful here to note that inhalant allergies can increase as your dog gets older and you may find he becomes allergic to more and more things and possibly more intensely.
It should be noted that there are no treatments for food allergies other than discovering and cutting the food out of your dog’s diet.
Also, it can take one to two years for a food allergy to develop so be careful not to rule this possible allergy out just because your dog has been eating the same food for a long period of time.
Middle age dogs or young adults are most prone to skin allergies and dandruff, whilst older dogs or senior dogs are liable to develop alopecia and skin tumors.
You should seek immediate advice from your vet if you think your dog has developed a tumor. 
Foul odor from the dog’s skin can also be present in cases where 
Having in mind that this allergy is actually caused the flea saliva, it is recommended to bathe your dog to eliminate all traces of flea saliva and feces. Bathe your dog often, at least once a week, and always use proper shampoo because clean animals are less attractive to ectoparasites, including fleas. Have in mind that using the wrong shampoos may cause problems with the dog’s skin and coat.
Do your best to prevent the flea infestation of your dog and your home. Pick a good quality flea control product for your dog and the environment recommended by your veterinary doctor.
When it comes to skin allergies, the best way to take care of it is with a quality shampoo. Read our handy list of some of the most 
There are a few nutrition tips that can help you prevent the appearance of allergies. Always use different sources of protein in the diet of your dog and rotate them constantly in order to reduce the chances of occurrence of hypersensitivity. It has been proven that puppies fed with food reached with probiotics are less likely to develop food allergies in the future as adults.
Besides this, a significant role in allergies controls plays using fish oil in your dog’s diet as well as minced flax seed. Essential fatty acids such as omega-6 and omega-3 showed very good results in the treatment of many atopic dermatitis cases. Vitamin C addition to the dog’s diet is also recommended.
There are other kinds of allergies too that can affect your dog’s way of life. Interested to know what those are? Read ahead in our article about 
Try to do everything in your power to eliminate the substances that can irritate your dog and cause allergic reactions because prevention is always a better solution. Inform your trusted veterinarian as soon as you notice that some unusual changes have appeared at your dog’s body or in his behavior.
Make sure you do everything you can for your dog to be healthy and happy because your dog absolutely deserves to feel good in his skin! 
Allergies are chronic problems that cannot be healed for good. A dog with an allergic reaction will keep having symptoms for the rest of its life. The best solution is for the allergic pooch to be kept away from that allergen. However, there are other treatments and vaccines that can be recommended by an experienced veterinarian.
However, although you might be able to identify the type of allergy your pup suffers from and treat it accordingly, you should not skip over the confirmation of a vet.
As it follows, there are 4 categories of therapies used to treat dog allergies.
Of course, you can also learn how to avoid these nasty allergens and keep your pooch happy and allergy-free for the rest of its life.
However, such factors are hard to control, so keep yourself informed and spoil your dog with the best there is.
Remember to also clean the areas of your house where your dog spends time, not to only wash it and leave its bedding, toys or favorite blanket for later.
If you let your dog stay in bed or on the couch, you must also disinfect or wash these two furniture pieces because they might be infected or filled with allergens that are bad for your lovely canine friend. 
Homeopathic approaches have some similarities in its application with traditional medicine although the difference is that you will have to make use of some unconventional ingredients. Since homeopathy is based on the idea that “like treats like,” you can expect the use of powdered fleas or dried dog saliva with rabies as a type of cure.
If you are quite sensitive with this stuff then perhaps you may try the soaks and baths which involve more normal ingredients. You will make use of tinctures, oils, and essences of herbs as well as salts and other types of natural ingredients. Lastly, you can choose acupuncture treatments for your dog. Now, you may think that it could be hard to get your dog to lie down or sit still during the treatment, but the fact is that your dog will actually be put into a kind of daze or stupor by putting needles in the proper acupuncture points.
Benefits of natural remedies:
There are some options need to be considered:
Aside from that, synthetic drugs also tend to negatively affect the functions of the other organs such as the liver and the kidney. Since these contain substances which cannot be assimilated by the body, these substances can accumulate in the liver where they are “screened” and in the liver as well. This in turn will affect the efficiency of these organs and will affect the overall “cleaning” system of the body.
If these organs are not functioning well, then the entire body will suffer with various toxic wastes running throughout the body through the bloodstream. In some way, these drugs tend to “overload” your dog’s system making it quite unable to cope with the new demands that these drugs are putting on it.
Before you hurry to ask him what the best dog allergy medicine is, please don’t imagine that your veterinarian is a wizard who will cure the animal in a minute by using some omnipotent magic pill, because things will not go that easy.
Allergies in dogs are actually a complex health issue and therefore the strategies for their management are very complex too.
To help make the problem easier, read ahead in our article about the 
Some of them can be managed by using allergy medicine for dogs in order to control the course of the allergic reaction and eliminate the typical symptoms or at least decrease their intensity.
Allergic reaction represents an extremely aggressive, abnormal response of the dog’s immune system to substances from the environment, called allergens that are actually not dangerous for the dog’s health.
The main goal is to detect the allergen and try to avoid the dog’s exposure to that substance that is causing the problem, so therefore the right diagnosis is crucial thing at this stage of the allergy management.
In addition to the medical history and the clinical examination of the dog, your veterinary doctor will, if necessary, recommend additional tests and diagnostic methods to detect the allergen that is responsible for the occurrence of the immune response of the dog’s body.
These methods may include elimination diet or use of 
If the dog is suspected to be allergic to some food or nutrient ingredient, your vet will recommend implementation of elimination diet that should help you detect the type of food that causes the problem.
Commercial hypoalergenic dog food is also available and are used for this purpose too. If your dog is suffering from this type of allergy you must take strict care of your dog’s diet by avoiding the use of the particular nutrient for the rest of his life.
Do your best to prevent your dog’s exposure to cigarette smoke and warn smokers to avoid smoking in the presence of your pet because it is irritating for most of the animals, and it is also one of the main causes of allergies in dogs.
Make sure you maintain good hygiene of your dog. Regular bathing will remove substances from the dog’s fur that may be causing problems with skin allergies. Wash the dog’s toys, the food dishes and the 
Apoquel (Oclacitinib) is a new type of anti-allergy treatment available for veterinary use. The effects of Oclacitinib are to prevent itching and stop the inflammatory processes that occur during allergic reactions by selectively inhibiting Janus kinase-1 (JAK-1) and Janus kinase-3 (JAK-3). This drug should not be used in dogs younger than 12 months of age, in breeding and nursing females, as well as in dogs with severe skin infections problems.
Symptomatic topical therapy is consisted of medicated shampoos, rinses and anti-itch solutions. It has immediate but temporary itching relief effect. Cool baths with medicated (hypoallergenic or colloidal oatmeal) shampoos are often used for dogs suffering from atopic dermatitis. Hydrocortisone shampoos can temporarily reduce the itching and help the dog feel less uncomfortable.
Topical sprays and lotions containing cortisone are commonly used for localized itching (Cortispray is a non-systematic cortisone spray with local effect which is not absorbed in the bloodstream).
Frequent bathing is recommended because it removes the allergens from the dog’s coat and prevents them to be absorbed in the body through the skin. Make sure you do your best to prevent the dog to lick the topical medications administered on the skin.
Beside the therapy you should try to avoid the dog’s exposure to the allergen as much as possible. You should always inform your trusted veterinarian about all the unusual changes you will eventually notice in your dog or the dog’s behavior.
Remember that you can do a lot to help your dog to successfully overcome this health issue, with a lot of patience, with a lot of perseverance, and above all with lots of love… 
Symptoms of this type of dermatitis are lesions on a dog’s skin that have little hair such as abdomen, nose, lips or back paws. The affected areas have small bumps or blisters on them that are very itchy and red.
The best thing you can do to help a dog with allergic contact dermatitis is to find what exactly makes it allergic. If you fail to identify the source of dermatitis, then you can try to avoid any source of illness. Sometimes vets recommended steroid therapy, but this method is not always effective.
The only correct diagnosis can be established after taking intradermal 
Whether it is scabies or other dog skin affection, dog owners often make mistakes because they do not understand how serious these diseases are and how much they can affect a dog’s general health condition.
Dog owners tend to wait for too long before taking their dogs to the vet. Dogs are often already weakened by injuries. Not to mention that dog owners apply different treatments without knowing what they are doing, listening to neighbors, and so on.
A vet can simply explain all about the disease that affects one’s dog, about how to treat it and what to expect in terms of treatment, which can last for a long period of time. The treatment should not be stopped immediately after a dog shows signs of improvement regardless of which skin affection it suffers from.
Its treatment should be continued until the veterinarian decides it is totally healed. Relapses have a good chance to reoccur if the hygiene and nutrition conditions are not met, so there is a lot of responsibility on a dog owner’s shoulders.
Veterinarians attribute the appearance of allergies to a weak digestive system, problems in the immune system, as well as to heredity. The good news is there are steps that you can take to help alleviate or even treat your dog’s allergies.
The whole treatment includes a healthy diet, proper bathing, and grooming, application of topical ointments, as well as the use of medications. But first, we need to understand…
Knowing the source or cause of the allergy will help provide guidelines on what to do with your dog’s condition. Through this, you will know what activities to avoid and measures to implement in order to lessen the amount of allergen which may be present in their immediate surroundings.
It is important however to make use of both methods, treating the symptom as well as the root cause, in order to get the best results for your dog. Not only will it benefit your pet, you will also enjoy less stress, especially at night when they whine and scratch persistently.
Dogs can also develop allergies just like humans and this can cause a lot of skin problems to them. Dry, itchy, red, and swollen skin are just some of the indicators that your dog may already be experiencing allergies which is why it is important to use a shampoo made specifically for addressing these problems without causing further harm.
Dog shampoo for allergies is formulated with properties that help control the growth of bacteria, yeast, fungi, and inflammation which can worsen your dog’s skin as well as provide healing properties to help them take back the natural oils that will nourish your dog’s coat and skin.
What is good about these shampoos is that they aid in the treatment of the symptoms of allergies and some of their components can be absorbed through the skin to help promote better well-being for your dog.
These include the vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols that help regulate the body’s inflammatory reactions as well as provide detoxifying properties to help rid your dog of toxins that may be hampering the immune system’s response as well.
So not only do they help soothe your dog from the itching, redness, and swelling that often accompanies allergies they also help strengthen their bodies as well.
It should be noted however, dog shampoos are not the end of the treatment process for allergic dogs. One has to tackle their overall health as well and this includes the provision of a balanced and healthy diet that will help restore the normal functioning of your dog’s immune system.
This includes adding vitamins that have antioxidant properties such as vitamin A, C, and E to help promote the health of the immune system; fatty acids to help decrease inflammation and to regulate the health of your dog’s coat and fur; as well as the elimination of foods that your dog may be allergic to.
Keep in mind that shampoos can only do so much. If you’re interested in learning about other treatment methods, we have a great article on the 
Just like us, dogs can develop allergies which can greatly affect their quality of life. They can suffer from swollen and teary eyes as well as persistent itching skin which can lead to infections and other skin problems.
Not all dog shampoos are suitable for a dog with allergies as they may contain ingredients that can actually harm and worsen their skin condition.
Look for dog shampoos for allergies such as those that contain oatmeal, aloe vera, hydrocortisone, and herbal ingredients which provide a natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, moisturizing, and healing effect for their skin.
Aside from this, complement them with other treatments such as allergy injections, steroids, and drug medications which are made to inhibit allergic reactions to provide overall comfort for your dog.
It’s possible that your dog may have another underlying skin condition that is causing his itching. If you’d like to know, we have a great article on 
The cornerstone of good oral hygiene for dogs is regular brushing. Using a dog-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste, gently massage your pet’s teeth and gums. Begin slowly, allowing your dog to get accustomed to the process.
Making it a positive experience by offering praise or a small treat afterward can create a positive association with brushing. Aim for consistency, brushing your dog’s teeth at least two to three times a week to prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar.
This routine not only maintains dental health but also strengthens the bond between you and your furry friend. Remember to 
Regular veterinary check-ups are essential for monitoring your dog’s dental health. During these visits, your veterinarian can identify any emerging dental issues and provide professional cleanings when necessary.
These cleanings involve scaling and polishing your dog’s teeth, ensuring a thorough removal of plaque and tartar. Professional dental care is crucial for maintaining your dog’s oral health over the long term, addressing potential problems before they escalate and cause discomfort for your pet.
Schedule regular dental check-ups in consultation with your vet to stay proactive about your dog’s dental well-being.
In addition to brushing and providing dental treats, consider incorporating water additives into your dog’s routine. There are specially formulated water additives available that can help control plaque and fight bacteria in your dog’s mouth.
These additives are easy to use; simply add them to your dog’s water bowl according to the instructions. While they’re not a substitute for brushing, they can be a valuable addition to your dog’s oral care regimen, promoting fresher breath and overall dental health.
Introduce water additives gradually and monitor your dog’s water intake to ensure they adapt well to the change.
Chewing is a natural behavior for dogs and an effective way to promote dental health. Offer a variety of dental toys designed to encourage chewing, as this helps remove plaque and tartar.
Look for toys with textured surfaces that can reach different areas of the teeth, providing a comprehensive cleaning effect. Durable rubber toys also serve the dual purpose of promoting 
In addition to brushing, consider using dental wipes or pads specifically designed for dogs. These products offer an alternative method to maintain your dog’s oral hygiene, especially if they are resistant to traditional brushing.
Gently rub the dental wipe or pad along your dog’s teeth and gums, focusing on areas where plaque tends to accumulate.
Choose wipes with canine-friendly ingredients that help control bacteria and freshen your breath. While dental wipes can complement your overall dental care routine, they are not a substitute for regular brushing. Incorporate them as part of a comprehensive strategy to keep your dog’s teeth clean and healthy.
Below is a list of the most common allergens. This list could go a long way in terms of giving you a heads up on what you should prevent your pet from being exposed to.
All dogs serve as a source of love, affection, and companionship for their owners. Without exception, these pets bring much joy to their loving parents. However, when it comes to having allergies, not all dogs are created equal.
While it is true that as responsible pet owners, we must be vigilant about protecting our dogs’ health regardless of breed, it is important to note that there are a number of dog breeds that are more highly predisposed to having allergies than others.
If you are an owner of any of the breeds given in the list below, please note that your pet may require careful monitoring and special care, especially in terms of the food that they consume, the products you use on them and on your home, as well as the places that you bring them to. These breeds run a high risk of having a negative reaction to one or more allergens.
Depending on the type of allergen and the means of exposure, dogs may exhibit different symptoms and signs of dog allergies. Moreover, given that humans and dogs share some of the most common allergy symptoms, identifying them as they appear can often be done with ease.
Upon observation of any common signs of dog allergies, you should pay a visit to your veterinarian. The earlier the management has been initiated, the sooner the treatment will be administered. There have been reported cases of deaths because the pet parent had the misconception that the allergy symptoms in dogs will just “go away.” This is usually not the case.
If symptoms are left unaddressed, more serious complications are likely to emerge. A quick visit to your veterinarian can reveal the important details related to the allergic reaction. Moreover, timely blood tests, administration of medication, and diet modification can go a long way toward getting your pet back in shape.
Once your veterinarian clears your dog of allergic reaction, you can start reintroducing the usual foods that your pet consumes to determine which ones are triggering the allergic reaction. It should be emphasized that your dog should not consume anything outside the prescribed diet, which should include treats, 
Hygiene is also important for dogs. Scheduled bathing not only relieves itching and removes potential allergens from your dog’s skin, but also improves comfort and health. You may consult your vet regarding the ideal bathing frequency and the ideal shampoo that is suitable for your dog’s needs.
Keep in mind that frequent bathing may actually be more harmful than helpful, as it may dry out skin, especially when using the wrong product. If the problem is food allergy, your veterinarian can prescribe a hydrolyzed protein diet until the specific allergen has been determined. Thereafter, your vet will recommend a specific food list or possibly a home-cooked diet.
There are certain substances that cannot be removed from the environment. However, your veterinarian may suggest medications that may alleviate any allergic reaction. Allergy injections can be administered to dogs that are sensitive to airborne allergens. The mechanism of these injections is that they enhance the resistance of your pet to the allergen. Immune-modulating drugs can also help.
Meanwhile, when fleas are to blame, there are numerous flea-preventing products that can be applied on your dog’s skin on a monthly basis. Supplements, medicated shampoos, and sprays can also soothe existing skin infections caused by allergies. A holistic treatment approach can be suggested by your veterinarian depending on the existing allergy symptoms.
If you’re interested in what shampoos work best on dog allergies, take a look at our article on how to 
With the amount of love and joy that they bring into our lives, our dogs deserve the best possible care from us. For many pet parents, any sign of illness or discomfort in our dogs would cause us to feel anxious and worried.
It is important that we understand the unique needs of our pets and that we take all the necessary steps to ensure that our dogs remain in optimum health. Like humans, dogs deserve the best quality of life, which can be achieved in a great home environment that is free from any health hazards.
Pet parents should work for hand in hand with a veterinarian to provide the best possible treatment for afflicted pets and to help ensure that the necessary precautions are taken to prevent any negative reaction from reoccurring in the future.
When dogs’ health needs are met, pet parents are sure to be rewarded with countless more years of loyalty and affection. 
As seen, for most dogs there is a critical period of 3 days when you can try different tricks to feed them, but there are some cases when you have to act immediately. These cases are:
Do not wait until your dog is visibly weaker and it barely moves. Take action before the situation aggravates. There are times when you can’t do anything but take your dog to the vet.