Could Your Pet Be Allergic?

You probably know plenty of people who are allergic to dogs and cats, but did you know that dogs and cats can develop allergies, too? Your pet could be allergic to her food, shampoo, or even pollen, in the same way that you could be allergic to these kinds of things.
While allergies cannot be cured, you can help allergic pets find some relief. Learn how to spot the signs of pet allergies and get the scoop on pet allergy treatments in these helpful tips.
Allergies in dogs and catsAllergies in dogs and cats are much more common than you might imagine. Just like their human counterparts who can develop allergies to certain foods, detergents, or plants, dogs and cats can also develop sensitivities to environmental stimuli. These pet allergies are some of the most common reasons pet owners visit vets.
Dogs and cats can be allergic to almost anything, but the most common sources of pet allergies are:
Grass, weeds, or other plants
Ingredients in pet food
Chemical cleaners and other household products
Flea saliva or dust mites
Your pet can develop allergies to any of these stimuli at any time, though allergies are most common in fully-grown dogs and cats. Even if your dog has been eating the same brand of pet food his entire life, he could suddenly develop an allergy to it in the middle of his adult life.
Pet allergy symptomsWhen your dog or cat has an allergy, he might experience the same types of symptoms that you suffer when you have an allergy. One day your dog could be prancing around the house, chasing the cat just like he normally would, and the next day, he could become lethargic and start sneezing. In this case, it’s pretty obvious that an allergy might be the culprit. But in other cases, the signs of an allergic pet are less obvious. Burping, flatulence, and restlessness — all common animal behaviors — might also indicate that your pet has developed an allergy. Some other common pet allergy symptoms include:
Redness and inflammation
Bumps and pustules
Red, watery eyes
Frequent scratching or licking
Ear irritation
Gastrointestinal issues like vomiting, diarrhea, or weight loss
Because there are so many potential pet allergy symptoms, it’s best to take your animal to the veterinarian to discuss his behavior and symptoms. With the proper tests, a vet can help you rule out any other health issues and focus on finding the cause of a dog or cat allergy.
Pet allergy treatmentPet allergy treatment can involve a number of different approaches. After a vet determines that an allergy is causing your pet’s symptoms, he’ll likely have you attempt to identify the allergen by a process of trial and error. Once you determine which household stimuli are causing your pet’s allergies, you can eliminate or lessen his exposure to them. The solution could be as simple as wiping your pet’s paws every time he comes in from the back yard. Other pet allergy treatments might include drugs like antihistamines or steroids. Natural remedies like vitamin supplements and oatmeal baths may also provide allergy relief for your pet.
Whatever course of treatment your vet prescribes, it’s going to require some patience on your part. Even after you remove the allergen from your pet’s environment, it can take up to 10 weeks for a pet allergy to subside.
If you’re concerned that your pet has allergies, the first thing to do is try to listen to what your pet has to tell you. Observe your pet closely, and watch for any changes in his behavior that might signal something is wrong. If you take the time to pay attention to your pet’s unique signals, you and your veterinarian can come up with a course of pet allergy treatment that’s more likely to result in relief for your Fido or Kitty.


source:http://www.movingtoday.com/could-your-pet-be-allergic/