Just like humans, pets can also suffer from allergies. There are a few types of allergies pets can experience, but environmental allergies are the most common type for pets. This type of allergy occurs seasonally and is a reaction to something in the pet’s immediate environment, such as pollen, grass, or dust. Seasonal allergies can occur during any time of the year, but they are most common in the fall and spring. If you notice your pet showing any of these signs, you should contact your veterinarian to seek treatment right away!
Excessive Scratching
Allergies affect your pets’ skin, especially in areas like in-between the toes, behind the ears, and under the tail. If your pet is bothered by an allergy, you’ll notice that their scratching will be more excessive than usual, and they may even begin to bite the skin. Due to irritation, the skin will become red and inflamed. For temporary relief, you can bathe your pet to remove anything that’s causing them to itch. However, regardless, you should still seek treatment.
Red and Irritated Skin
Another reaction your pet may experience from an allergy are noticeable patches of red and irritated skin on the body. Patches form on areas of the body that have direct contact with the allergy. If your pet continues to scratch and bite these areas, the spots can eventually become infected and turn to raw sores. If the area becomes infected, you’ll notice unusual behavior from your pet, including lack of appetite and unpleasant odors.
Paw Licking and Face Rubbing
Besides scratching, your pets may try and soothe their uncomfortable skin by licking and rubbing the affected areas. If you notice that your pet is excessively licking their paws, this should be a red flag that something is wrong. Paw licking occurs because of allergies like pollen and dust sticking to the fur and causing their paws to itch. The paws are usually the most impacted part of the body and can be very uncomfortable to your pet.
Unusual Shedding
Since your pets’ skin can dry out severely if they have an allergy, it’s common to notice an increase in dandruff. Also, if your pet is scratching excessively, you may see that your pet is shedding more hair than usual. If you notice that your pet has been scratching more, and they are experiencing significant hair loss, you should get this issue addressed by a veterinarian immediately to eliminate other causes of itching, including fleas, ticks, or infections.
Puffy Eyes and Sneezing
Just like humans, pets can also express similar allergy symptoms. Their eyes can swell and become very red and irritated if they are experiencing an allergy. Puffy eyes are a more noticeable symptom in cats than dogs. In extreme cases, swelling can cause blindness and potentially be life-threatening. If the swelling is caused by an allergy, there will usually be additional swelling around the face.
Sneezing may also accompany your pets’ puffy eyes. If you notice that your pet is sneezing more than usual, this can be caused from inhaled allergies. If your pet is experiencing these symptoms, you should have them checked out by a vet immediately to make sure it’s not an infection.
Increase in Ear Infections
There are a few ways to tell if your pet has an ear infection. If you notice excessive head shaking, red, waxy ears, or an unpleasant smell with discharge coming from the ear, there is a good chance that your pet has an ear infection. If you notice that the ear infections become reoccurring, there is a high chance that your pet has an underlying allergy that is causing them. To help prevent future ear infections, you should have your pets’ ears cleaned regularly. Cleanings should be performed weekly, and you can contact a professional groomer or your veterinarian to learn how to clean them properly.
If you notice that your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms, you should contact your veterinarian immediately to seek treatment and relief for your pet!
While your pet stays with us at Tailwaggers Country Inn, we’ll make sure that they remain comfortable and healthy. We can administer any medications that your dog may need, as well as perform thorough grooming to remove all pollen and other potential allergens from your pet’s coat. For any questions about our daycare, boarding, or grooming services, give us a call at 1-877-774-DOGS.