Pets and Allergies
Spring is here and with it comes allergy season. While you are battling allergies, you might not realize that your pet could have them, too. If your pet gets itchy during spring, they may be reacting to seasonal, environmental allergens.
Many pets have reactions to grass, pollen, and other allergens in the environment. But unlike humans whose allergy symptoms usually involve the respiratory tract, dog and cat allergies more often take the form of skin irritation or inflammation – a condition called allergic dermatitis.
Signs to look for include excessive scratching, biting, and chewing at certain areas of the body, or rubbing against furniture. In efforts to find comfort with all that scratching, your pet might make matters worth by causing hair loss, redness, and bleeding as the skin becomes inflamed. Hotspots could develop.
Other signs include problems with your pet’s ears. A pet with allergies might shake their head frequently or scratch excessively at their ears. As the ears get inflamed, they might have an odor or discharge.
If you suspect your pet has allergies, a visit to the vet can help get treatment. Other things you can do include frequently bathing your pets, soaking their feet to remove pollen, changing their diet to a low grain or grain-free food, and helping control their environment to reduce contact with allergens.
With proper care and treatment, you can control your pet’s allergies and have many great days at the park!
