Last Modified: 9/29/08

Allergies seem to be a growing problem in the dog community. I have found several sites that I feel will help you to understand your dog better. It is not known what causes some dogs to have allergies and others to not, since the way a dog develops and reacts to allergies is the same as humans. It has been said that inbreeding and unhealthy rearing conditions will increase a dog's chances of developing allergies, but I could not find any information to support that statement. I won't, however, say it is not true since I have seen that such dogs seem more likely and their allergies tend to be more severe. Whatever the origin, there are many ways you can help your dog, on your own without running to your vet, though you have have to do just that at some point.

Allergies will manifest in many ways; skin rash, asthma, weak constitution, nasal irritation, overly weepy eyes, hair loss, hot spots, apetite loss, head shaking and rubbing or pawing, diarrea, vomiting, etc. Sorry but the symptoms are numerous. So lets take them one or more at a time. Before you decide your dog has allergies there are a few things you can try first, to clear up the irritation. If your dog has very weepy eyes try giving them a carrot once or more a day; raw. It make take a few days, but carrots are very healthy for your dog and will make a big difference. Make sure that you are brushing your dog as often as they require to keep them from losing their hair due to mats, or if your bitch is pregnant or nursing, hair loss is normal. If you are feeding your dog from your table he is more likely to refuse his dog food with time. Table feeding is very unhealthy unless you are following a strict raw diet, and yes there are rules to follw. You cannot just give your dog whatever your feel like. The only exceptions with table foods are eggs, real cheese and carrots. I would not give him anything else. For vomiting, make sure your dog is not getting into things he should not. Keep your floors clean and clean up after anything that has been ripped and lsoing stuffing. Keep him from eating outdoor clippings. Most puppies love to chew on nature, but that does not make it healthy. Diarrea, loss of apetite, vomiting and weakness can all be signs of stress in a dog. For more information on stress please visit Stressed Out. Skin rashes can be caused by rubbing against abrasive items indoor and outdoor. Try using Bag Balm on the irritation before you change his food. It can be found at hay and feed stores and in the pet section of Walmart in a small green tin.

If nothing works, allergies are your best diagnosis. The type of allergy will, again, depend upon the symptom. Your dog can be allergic to just about anything; dust mites, ragweed, grass, trees, pests, tobacco and drug smoke, chemicals and food. Food allergies are considered to be the most common, but tobacco and drug smoke can manifest as a food or any other allergic reaction. It can be very hard to diagnose allergies for your dog, unless you know what to look for. If you are unsure, you can give your dog benedryl starting with one dose daily for a few days and if you do not see a change move to two doses daily. If still no change it is time to go to the vet. For safe dose amounts please visit Home remedies for weight to amount recomendations and more information on allergy medications. If you smoke or others have smoked around your dog you may visit my article on Second Hand Smoke for ways to help your dog. For other allergies I could plagerize other sites or I could spend hours trying to tell you what I have learned from other sites or I can send you straight to the source. Forgive me, but I feel this last to be the best course so that you have the best chance of helping your dog and I am least likely to leave something important out. If you cannot find the answer to something at either of these sites, please tell me and I will try to find what you need. I have been told in the past that some people have been able to cure ttheir dog of allergies. If your dog has allergies and you do something that stops the allergies, I can promise your dog did not have allergies to begin with. There is no cure.

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