Dog allergy has become more and more an issue nowadays, when people want to have dogs despite the fact that they don’t have the living conditions for that. We keep our dogs in small apartments, they eat with us in our kitchen, they sleep with us in our bedrooms, and then we wonder why dog allergies are on the increase.

When I say dog allergy, I mean both humans being allergic to dogs and dogs getting flea allergy or developing allergic reactions to substances in our homes. Allergy is a tricky disease, therefore it may be difficult to diagnose, especially in the case of dogs or other pets, as they need surveillance to see if they behave in other way than they usually do. For example, a dog scratches itself anyway to a certain degree, and nobody takes the dog to a vet each time they see the pet scratching. However, if scratching becomes a habit and it occurs repeatedly, many times a day, then we can suspect a dog allergy, most probably a flea allergy, so a visit to the veterinary would be welcome.

When to suspect a dog allergy

Continuous scratching is the first symptom of a dog allergy. Other signs you may look for are rashes or irritations of the skin, hairs falling unevenly, in big numbers, red and teary eyes, sneezing or coughing.

If you can, try to see when the symptoms occur during a day’s time: is it happening only when the dog enters a certain room? Is it happening immediately after meals? When playing in the park? What triggers this allergic response from its body?

Always look carefully at the animal’s skin and fur. If you notice small black spots which go away with ease when you grab them, then you have reasons to suspect your dog has fleas. Regardless the fact that he may or may not have a flea allergy, you still need to get him rid of those insects, because they are carriers of many diseases anyway. If you’ve just got your dog and you’re participating in a puppy training program, you could ask the trainer to warn you in case he detects such unusual behavior in your puppy, such as continuous scratching, or similar actions which may require medical supervision. Dog trainers are experienced, and they may notice things that new dog owners don’t, or they consider normal.

The reverse look upon a dog allergy is when humans get allergic reaction in presence of dogs. The best advice is not to keep dogs anymore if you get diagnosed with dog allergy. Continuous exposure to the allergen would make your condition worsen in time, and you may end up with serious troubles if you keep on ignoring your symptoms. If you insist on having a dog while being allergic, then you need to take care of a perfect hygiene in your house: always wash the dog very well, don’t let it enter your bedroom, don’t allow him sit on your favorite chair. In general, try to minimize your contact with the dog and stay away from, playing with it too closely. Don’t forget to get a vet pet insurance for your dog, as medication and treatments can be very expensive. Dog allergy is serious issue.

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