Allergies & Cures

A dog skin allergy may be the common cause of itches, rashes, hair loss and hives in your pet. Unlike other types of allergies, your dog’s skin allergy may be caused by household allergens or seasons. For instance, your dog may develop a skin allergy to pollen, feathers, grass, dust or mold or he can become allergic to seasonal changes. Regardless of the cause of the skin allergy, this condition will manifest itself mainly between the ages of 6 months and 3-4years.

Also, it is possible for your dog to display skin allergy symptoms after this period, especially if you introduce something new in his normal environment. Itchy skin is the most common symptom and it can come with rubbing of the face and licking of paws.Once your pet starts to display such symptoms, combined with hair loss or redness, you may consider them as a signal that your dog has developed a skin allergy.

Figuring out what causes the skin allergy in your pet can be simple. For instance, a new blanket, kennel, collar or dish can trigger allergic reactions. Also, the redness and itchiness around your pet’s mouth will help you determine the source of your dog’s skin allergy. However, you should get your pet tested by a vet in order to figure out the exact cause for your dog’s skin allergy.

Skin allergies in dogs may be triggered by chemical substances as well. For instance, if you already know that your pet is highly susceptible to developing skin allergies, you should take extra care when it comes to using new powders, dip or shampoo in order to prevent new allergic reactions from occurring. Remember to look out for possible reactions on the areas that are not covered in hair and keep your dog out of any contact with household chemicals in order to minimize the possible risks of developing a skin allergy. There are 3 main types of dog skin allergy.     

The Immune-Mediated Skin Allergy is triggered by a problem in the dog’s immune system function. In this case, the dog will experience some regular skin infections that are more often than normal. The Canine Atopic Dermatitis is a chronic allergic skin condition and you may see its symptoms in your pet somewhere between 10 months to 2-3 years of age. Once your dog gets this type of allergy, you will see that he is extremely itchy especially when it comes to the around the eyes area. His feet may be itchy too.

The Infectious Skin Disease is a skin allergy that will make the dog loose his hair, especially on his legs. This type of allergy include non-contagious and contagious infestations or infections. The contagious forms will include bacterial, parasitic, viral and fungal skin diseases. It is the most dangerous and serious of all dog skin allergies and once you notice some of the symptoms listed above, you must take your dog to the vet immediately.