Frequent Allergies for Dogs

Just like humans, dogs have allergies too! They can range from simply being annoying to deal with to having serious health complications. Learn the signs and symptoms of three frequent dog allergies so you can take action if needed for your pup.

Skin Allergies

If you aren’t already giving your fur baby regular skin checks, you should start! Under all their floofy fur could be signs and symptoms of an allergy that you’d otherwise miss. Start at their head and slowly work through the fur in different sections towards their tail. Don’t forget to look behind their ears too! If you see bumps, bites or scaly skin, these may be signs of an allergic reaction.

Between skin checks, your pup may also be trying to tell you that something is bothering them. Excessive itching is a common sign of allergic dermatitis, also known as a skin allergy.

A very frequent cause of allergic dermatitis are fleas. They bite, clog pours and are nasty little buggers that can, rightfully so, bother your pup. Some dogs are even allergic to flea saliva! The good news is that fleas are a well-known allergy and can be prevented with routine flea treatments. Even better, flea and tick prevention are supported under Bivvy Wellness Care! Your dog health insurance add-on for $9 a month can help prevent fleas from being a nuisance.

Food Allergies

Another common allergy, which can also impact the skin, are those relating to food. American Kennel Club Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Jerry Klein reports that often true food allergies trigger immune responses such as hives, facial swelling, itchiness of the ears and paws, and gastrointestinal issues. In rare cases, a pup could even go into anaphylaxis shock.

To soothe your concerns, there are steps you can take to minimize risk of a food allergy getting out of hand. First, keep a close eye on your pet around meal time when they are introduced to a new type of food. Knowing what they’re eating, and if they have a reaction, is a quick way to weed out foods that may cause an allergic response. If they were to stay with a friend or family member, be sure to send your pet’s brand of food with them to avoid the potential for allergies while you’re away.

Just like our own human intolerances, your pup may have a food sensitivity that’s not a full-blown allergy. Sensitivities to dairy, soy, etc. may show signs through vomiting or diarrhea. Pet food has become fairly sophisticated when it comes to pet food allergies, so once you rule out ingredients a simple Google search should help you find the right pet food brand for your pet’s needs.

Environmental Allergies

Similar to human allergies, causes can be seasonal. The good news is your pup’s environmental allergies may only impact them at certain times of year. The bad news is they may happen for months at a time and recur with each new year.

‍Dust, pollen and mold are common triggers that can affect indoor and outdoor animals alike. Like food allergies, itching around the paws and ears and skin symptoms are the common signs. If you’re noticing excessive itching, you may also see your pet attempting to tend to their discomfort by licking the itchy areas. You’ll want to help them avoid this self-care as much as possible as it may lead to a secondary infection, such as opening skin accidentally to yeast and bacterial infection. Woof!

Should your pet have a severe allergic reaction, we suggest calling or visiting your vet. Thankfully with Bivvy’s dog insurance coverage you can go to any licensed vet for care, even if you’re travelling or need to see an emergency vet. Diagnostic testing, blood testing and emergency care are all within our scope of affordable pet insurance coverage. If you haven’t signed your pup up yet for refreshingly affordable pet health coverage, don’t hesitate! Protect your pet in three minutes or less today.