What Causes Dog Skin Allergies?

Skin allergies in dogs can be caused by many different things, however there are a few major allergies that you should be aware of. The three major causes of skin allergies in dogs are fleas, food, and environmental allergens.

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Fleas are the major cause of skin allergies in dogs. While dogs are not directly allergic to the fleas themselves, they are allergic to the saliva that the fleas leave behind when they bite the dog. So in this case you see tiny red bumps that are very itchy to the dog.

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When it comes to food allergies you can not only see skin irritation, but you also get other clinical signs as well, like diarrhea. Many dogs can be eating the same diet for many years and then suddenly become allergic to it. Some veterinarians think it might be related to genetics but we still do not know for sure.

The third major cause of skin allergies in dogs is atopy. This is simply an allergy to pollens, molds, and dust. These are the same type of allergies that many humans get which are also sometimes called seasonal allergies.

If you think your dog might be experiencing any allergy symptoms it is important that you have them examined by a veterinarian right away. Most allergies get worse over time so the sooner that you can relieve your dog symptoms the better chances are that you can control it.

Thanks to today's medical advances there are many prescription foods, medications, and allergy shots that can be given to dogs to help relieve their symptoms.

What Causes Dog Skin Allergies?

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Dog Food Allergies - Could it Be Your Dog's Food?

Especially during the warmer months dog owners see an increase in their dog's scratching activity. Your dog may be scratching under his neck, at the ears, or biting his feat incessantly. It drives owners crazy to see their dogs in such distress, imagine how the dog feels? The first reaction is to think your dog has fleas and you should check to eliminate that possibility as well as checking to make sure there isn't some toxic environmental issue causing the problem. But, after eliminating all other possibilities your dog is still scratching then your dog may suffer from dog food allergies.

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A healthy animal may not have trouble eating most foods. However, if you feed the same food daily for years there is potential for an intolerance to develop, especially if you are feeding a cheap, poor quality commercial pet food. Any individual animal can become allergic to any food - a protein source, a fruit, a vegetable. Just a small amount of an offending food could be enough to trigger reactions in some animals. In others, reactions occur simply from constant feeding of the same food. Basically, an allergy in all its forms is a reflection of a system starving for higher nutrition and health.

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There are too many dog food ingredients that could be causing allergy symptoms in your dog but these are just a few of the foods to consider:

Beef and beef by-products

Milk

Corn and corn oil

Wheat and wheat by products

Yeast, and yeast-containing foods

Truthfully, allergies are one of the hardest when it comes to pinpointing the source. But, food is a practical place to start. Feed your animal something it is not used to. Try feeding oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and some meats that your dog never eats.

If you are already feeding a homemade diet then you know what types of meat and veggies you are feeding and can replace them easily with other nutritious foods. But, if you are still feeding a commercial dog food, just check the ingredients on the can and don't feed your dog any of the foods listed, instead replace them with other sources. For example if the can says that there are beef and beef by products then switch your dog's food to a lamb and rice diet.

You may even have to try a vegetarian diet. A vegetarian diet is NOT a balanced diet but you can try it for a couple of weeks to see if this clears up the allergy problem. If it does then you can start adding things back into the diet and check for any allergic reactions.

Diets that contain poor and inappropriate ingredients, and unfortunately this represents a good deal of what is sold as commercial pet food, create animals who do not function properly. Their systems are constantly besieged with toxicity. The symptoms that arise from this are related to dog food allergies.

The best preventative measure that works for most dogs is, rather than eliminating food and dealing with food allergies when your dog is showing symptoms, just feed a better diet and one that has a ton of variety.

Dog Food Allergies - Could it Be Your Dog's Food?

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Dog Skin Problems And Allergies

Take Notice Of Your Dog's Skin Problems

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It is beneath their beautiful fur coats that a world of uncomfortable and even painful skin conditions are often lurking. Dogs skin problems can be an indication of a more serious and even life threatening condition.

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Some of the most common dog skin problems are dry skin, usually indicated by the appearance of "dandruff" or excessive shedding, various fungus infections, mite irritations, mange, and rashes that may be the result of seasonal, environmental or food allergies. Other dog skin problems include tumors, seborrhea skin diseases, melanomas and infected sores.

The fact is that many of these conditions are completely treatable and often preventable. Identifying the cause and preventing unnecessary dog skin problems is a responsibility that comes with the role of owning a dog. However, as a loving pet guardian, adequate care and treatment of an animal is a legal requirement.

Food And Seasonal Dog Allergies

Some of the most preventable dog skin problems are caused by dog allergies. Dog allergies may be the result of seasonal conditions, environmental factors or symptoms of food allergies. Many dog owners are
surprised to learn that food allergies are not always related to a new food or diet. A dog may develop intolerance to foods that they have been eating for years.

It is not an unusual occurrence for a dog to develop a food allergy when their immunity system may be compromised. Adding a digestive enzyme to a dog's daily diet of a premium all natural food is many times all that is needed to heal the skin. Dog food allergies are often an intolerance to unnatural additives and preservatives.

Seasonal dog allergies can include parasite allergies. Fleas for example are uncomfortable enough for a dog, but some dogs are particularly sensitive to flea bites. Although, fleas may be present at any time of
year, it's the hot dry conditions of summer when they are the worst. Other possible seasonal allergy irritants are spring pollens and dust mites. Rural dogs are at risk of developing further seasonal allergies where crop dusting occurs, or when other such chemicals are used around the farm or surrounding properties.

If your dog is uncomfortable and excessively chewing and biting his legs or rear end, scratching himself sore, or shows any signs or symptoms at all of a bothersome skin condition, please seek the advice of a
veterinarian right away.

Prevention is better than cure; the best premium all natural diet is the first weapon against dog skin problems and dog allergies. Dog owners should routinely check their dog's skin and feel for any lumps, bumps or other skin conditions.

Dog Skin Problems And Allergies

A Pittsburgh area resident with over 25 years of dog care experience. Janie is an avid dog lover and has written numerous articles on dog skin, nutrition and care.

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Find more information on dog skin conditions and care, visit http://www.old-dog-treats-and-rawhide.com

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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