What To Do About Dog Skin Allergies

If your dog is itchy and scratching, chances are he is suffering from one or more dog skin allergies. Left untreated, these can be a real source of misery for your best friend. Even a slight itchiness or sensitivity should be monitored before it becomes a major problem.

When the body encounters allergens, it responds by producing histamines that rush to the area affected. The histamines are what causes the itchiness and skin irritations.

Fleas are a major source of skin allergic responses. Their saliva carries an anti-coagulant which mixes with the dog's blood when he is bitten. This anti-coagulant causes the allergic response in many dogs. One bite is enough to cause minor to intense suffering depending on the individual dog's response.

Another common cause of skin allergies is the dog food your dog is eating. Most commonly corn and corn products are the culprit. Some more sensitive dogs have trouble with all grain products, such as wheat, rice or barley. The protein source can also be the root of the problem. There are dog foods containing single source proteins that are good for allergic dogs. There are foods containing fish, bison, turkey and even rabbit. It may help to try smaller bags of each type of food to see which ones your dog can eat without feeling itchy afterwards. The reaction is usually dramatic, occurring within a day or even hours after the feeding.

At the same time as you are dealing with the cause of the problem, you want to relieve your pet's suffering. Your veterinarian can prescribe steroidal medications and make recommendations for ointments and baths. Trips to the beach for swimming or playing at the water's edge will greatly help your dog's skin, eradicate any fleas and ease a lot of the anxiety he may be feeling. Pet stores carry oatmeal bath products which are also quite effective at soothing the itchiness. A massage oil made of sweet orange essential oil and almond oil is a natural repellent when rubbed into the fur.

Once you find the food your dog can eat without suffering an adverse reaction, keep him on it. Never finish one bag and start a new one. There may be slight changes in the proportions of ingredient between one batch and the next. A new bag may provoke a response unless you gradually mix and replace the old food with the new.

If fleas are the culprit, they must be eliminated from the house, yard and, of course, your dog. Orange oil products are remarkably effective and totally safe, plus the smell is cheery and quite wonderful. Dogs do not shy away from a massage with orange and almond oils. Take the essential orange oil and drip it onto the dog's collar for protection against any fleas outdoors. Buy borax and sprinkle it around your house. Fleas love carpets. Push the borax into your carpets with a stiff broom, wait a few minutes and then vacuum it up. Then sprinkle lavender and peppermint leaves around. They also repel fleas and make your house smell wonderful.

Dog skin allergies should be dealt with promptly to alleviate the discomfort and suffering of your dog. With the right information, you can easily take the steps to removing the allergens that cause these problems.

I'm a family pet health consultant who specializes in skin care for dogs.