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

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.
 

Comments