Does your dog have allergies?
Now that the sun is starting to show itself, spring is in full swing and the verdant outdoors is glistening green once more. We’re donning our walking boots and trekking out with our animal friends, but we should also be vigilant; with the sunny weather comes the risk of allergens and other irritants which can affect your pooch. Animal Friends is giving you the tips to keep your dog healthy in the sunny months.
What to look out for
Many things start to appear when the sun comes out, aside from the traditional flora and fauna we love to see there are also some irritating allergens which affect a percentage of us. Unfortunately, grass and flower pollen is irritating for anyone with hay fever, but it can affect our dogs as well (about one in ten dogs has a respiratory related allergy). Watch out for any problems that arise with your pet’s ears or skin, as this may be a sign of allergens. Excessive biting or scratching in areas such as the ears, in between the pads on the feet or general scratching all over may suggest that your pet has an allergy. Unlike a disease or illness, allergies cannot simply be ‘cured’; the way to deal with an allergy is to remove that allergen from the dog’s environment. With things like grass or weed pollen, this can be extremely difficult, but there is medicine that can be taken, such as antihistamine which will reduce the irritation for your pet.
Fleas and ticks become rife in the summer months, as the long grass is a perfect place for these parasites to lie in wait and pass from pet to pet. Always check your dog after a walk in particularly longer grass, and keep an eye out for excessive chewing and scratching, as this may be a reaction to flea saliva. There are a number of remedies available for fleas and ticks, but it is important to pick one that works well for your dog. Any treatments which cause irritation to your dog need to be avoided as you will only be causing the dog more grief. Ticks need to be removed correctly, as any remnants of the tick that remain in the dog can cause infections.
Ears are a particular problem for dogs with large ears; not only can allergens cause infections, but insects are starting to appear in larger numbers and a rogue bug flying into a dogs ear can cause a severe amount of upset. Keep an eye on your pet at all times when it begins to itch and scratch to find the problem zone, and consult your vet if an issue gets you stumped.
It is better to deal with any skin problem as soon as possible to stop any spread or infection, but be careful with any products that you use – if you are unsure about any ingredients, consult your vet, as some products may cause unexpected side effects. Remember that the signs of allergies in pets are not like humans – don’t watch out for a runny nose, as you may be missing the important signs of a developing reaction!
Skin conditions are one of the main reasons for claims to be made, and these claims are usually linked to allergies – avoid high vet bills by covering yourself with pet insurance. Animal Friends Insurance offers a wide range of comprehensive cover, so to get a quote phone us on 0844 55 70 300 or email info@animalfriends.co.uk and ask how we can help your animal friend today.
