Dealing With Dog Skin Allergies

If you have ever been around a dog skin allergies sufferer you already know that there is a lot of discomfort in the household for humans and canines alike. The licking, scratching, bleeding, cracking, and chewing are behaviors and finished products that are far from desirable in our human world.

So often the easy solution becomes to move the dog into another area of the house where he is confined to a small, usually less valued room than he was originally sitting in. Bathrooms, offices, and even large closets end up being dedicated space for dog that itches and scratches for the entire night.

Being sent to live in a different area of the house is really quite painful for a dog. He needs you most especially right now. Allergies are really very common in all breeds. Some breeds are more susceptible to some allergens and it does help to find exactly what is causing the reaction. The typical allergic reaction that most families witness in their dog is actually a hive type of break out. The first line of defense is to check the food that you're serving your best friend.

Low quality food tends to be loaded with grains and fillers that can either be the cause of or exacerbate the allergies. Even mid to upper quality foods can have just enough grain in them to create allergy attacks of the area. One of the first things to look into is the quality of the meals he has been eating. Try a raw diet for him or offer him a top quality premium brand food. The food should be totally grain free.

If your dog is allergic to an ingredient in the food he will most likely react by initially scratching. Of course, since humans often find this dog trait unpleasant, he's probably been asked to stop from time to time. Since he really wants to take care of his discomfort he may go off and try to sneak in a little extra "alone time." For every scratch he has there is certainly a sense of relief, but it's only temporary as the histamine responds quite quickly to being stimulated in such a manner. The body overproduces the histamine and the skin becomes intensely itchy at the site. It might take quite awhile to break the cycle.

While a raw food diet or a premium brand will not contain grains there is often a chance that your dog is allergic to certain meats. Usually the white meats like pork and chicken are the likely suspects if there is an additional food allergen. Because allergies can be difficult to cope with and can even be deadly it is important that you receive all the necessary information that you need in order to keep your pup as healthy and safe as possible.

Skin tends to heal rather slowly and you will want spend some time hearing about the alternatives should that be necessary for your pup's health. Alternatives can include a raw diet for him, home cooked diets which are really not commonly nutritionally sound, supplements, and medication in the event or as a preventative.

Dog skin allergies can be narrowed down in most cases by the breaking out, washing, scratching, and standard breathing rate if evaluated by a vet. However, many vets actually do prefer to to do skin testing only after changes have been made for her dog food. Living with this kind of problem is difficult, but it is much more difficult for your dog.

Jennifer is a family pet health consultant who specializes in dog skin treatment. Check out her Website here.