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Treating Dog Allergies: The Do’s and Don’ts

also see Canine Allergies
also see Hypoallergenic Dog Food

also see Dogs and Allergies 

also see Scratching Dogs 

also see Seasonal Dog Allergies


Get help for treating dog allergies by knowing what works and what doesn’t. Use the following “do’s and don’ts” as a launching pad for canine wellness and allergy prevention.

Food Allergies

Do’s

    * Isolate the culprit in his diet: feed your dog only certain ingredients and then monitor changes in his condition.
    * Modify your dog’s diet gradually, such as switching from kibble to soft foods.

Don’t

Don’t feed your dog the same foods religiously. If your dog always eats the same type of protein it can cause deficiencies in the micro trace minerals he gets and lead to allergies.

Atopy (Airborne Allergies)

Do’s

    * Maintain your lawn by keeping the grass cut short.
    * Give your dog a quick bath, or rinse with a hose, after exposure to pollen.
    * Administer an appropriate antihistamine for treating dog allergies.

Don’ts

    * Don’t wait too long to dust and vacuum around the house: dust mites are allergy culprits.
    * Don’t walk your dog in open fields where pollen exists.

 Skin Allergies

Do’s

    * Bath with a medicated shampoo at least twice a week.
    * Consult with your vet about an appropriate prescription shampoo.
    * Dab a newly forming hot spot with over-the-counter cortisone cream.

Don’t

Don’t use carpet deodorizers: some of them have chemicals that can worsen your dog’s allergies.

Flea Allergies

Do

Look for a common symptom of flea allergies in your dog: scratching his tail area, which causes hair loss.

Don’t

Don’t use the wrong flea medication for your dog’s size and weight. He needs the right amount of medication to inhibit the reproduction of the fleas.

also see Allergies in Dogs: Things You Should Know to Protect Your Dog

also see Hot Spots

also see Itching Problems - Causes and Treatments

also see Medication - Prednisone and other Corticosteroids