Imagine: It’s a beautiful day outside. The spring flowers are blooming, and the squirrels have come out to play. You open the door to take your best friend for a walk (preferably the 4-legged one) and they run rapidly to a fresh patch of grass, pulling you along. They proceed to plop on their back and do the wiggle. To then gnaw on their paws and even thin out some fur in the process. This is one itchy dog.
Springtime is well known for causing allergies to flare up. The same allergens that affect people can also cause problems and irritation in animals. Allergic dermatitis is a rash caused by an irritant encountering the skin of an animal, and it is the most common complaint veterinarians in North America receive relating to skin disease (Kuck). Unfortunately, some animals are allergic to more than just allergens in the air. Heat and humidity can also worsen allergy symptoms in animals resulting in other adverse reactions. Allergies can also be caused by lack of nutrients in their diet, or an allergy to specific grains in their food. These can lead to fur loss, swollen or inflamed skin, and scratching/gnawing of paws and skin. Below are a few easy steps that pet owners can take to reduce allergies in pets year-round.
Control Their Environment
Keeping your pet inside after the grass is watered or cut. Allergens are most active during this time, so it is a good idea to wait until the environment has settled to play with pets outside. Pets with more severe allergies can use booties or t-shirts to cover themselves reducing skin-to-allergen contact. Keeping your house clean on the inside can also reduce allergies in your pet. It is a good idea to keep the carpet, floors and pet bedding clean. Regularly changing air filters can also have a positive impact in reducing allergies.
Switching Food
Switching your pet’s food can help eliminate deficiencies caused by lack of nutrients, or allergens in the actual food. Food allergies in animals can cause skin problems and exacerbate other environmental factors that could negatively affect your pet. Allergens in your pet’s food can include meat and grain products. Switching to a grain free dry dog food could help lessen the reaction to these allergens.
Daily Vitamins
Lastly, making sure your animal has the vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that it needs to support their immune system can make or break your pet during allergy season. Itchy Dog was developed in response to the demand for a product that would help naturally manage the symptoms associated with allergic dermatitis. Itchy Dog is full of nutrients and antioxidants that work to eliminate allergies in your pet. Itchy Dog can help minimize itching, biting, excessive licking, and dandruff. Because Itchy Dog contains vital nutrients, a healthy skin and coat are one benefit for your dog.
Helping animals feel their best during allergy season is very important and these few things can drastically help your pet overcome allergies this spring and all year. Itchy Dog can be purchased online at www.zoomdogsupplements.com or by phone at 1 (800)-845-8849.
Sources:
Kuck, John. "Nutrient Selection in the Management of Canine Atopic Dermatitis." Studies on
Veterinary Medicine. New York: Humana/Springer, 2011. 153-60. Print.
“Is My Dog Allergic to His Food?’ WebMD, WebMD, pets.webmd.com/dogs/dogs-food-allergy#1
“Environmental Allergies and Pets.” Banfield, www.banfield.com/state-of-pet-health/skin-allergies/environmental-allergies.
Messonnier, Shawn. The Allergy Solution for Dogs: Natural and Conventional Therapies to Ease
Discomfort and Enhance Your Dogs Quality of Life. Prima Pets, 2000.