Your Boston Terrier can experience allergies much like people do. Boston Terrier's are more prone to experiencing skin allergies and allergies to food than other breeds of dogs.
Environmental allergies are very common in Boston terrier's, as are food allergies. Without the right treatment, your pet can experience allergy symptoms that range from mild to extensive. Your Boston Terrier can't tell you that something is wrong and causing their allergies, so it's important to note any changes to their behavior.
You'll be able to see if your dog is scratching excessively, or see if there are problems with their skin. When your dog is experiencing allergy symptoms, you will want your pet to get the veterinary care they need to feel better.
Symptoms of Allergies in Your Boston Terrier
One of the first signs that your Boston Terrier is experiencing allergies is in their skin. They may be scratching frequently, to the point where they are creating red, raw areas of skin.
The skin will appear flaky, and you may notice patches where the hair has been lost. These raw areas are generally found on the belly, near the ears, or legs.
Your Boston Terrier can get allergies from a new shampoo, fleas or flea treatment, pollen, grass, or just about anything humans are allergic to as well. Dogs even experience anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction that needs to be treated on an emergency basis.
Common Allergies in Boston Terriers
The Boston Terrier is a great breed of dog, but their immune system is known to be hypersensitive to all types of allergens. Corn and soy are both common food allergies for the Boston Terrier breed, but your dog may also be experiencing allergies from dust mites, fleas, grass, pollen, perfume, medication, or household cleaning products.
Much like people, Boston Terriers have a wide range of allergens that they may be allergic to.
Boston Terrier Skin Allergies
Boston Terrier skin allergies can result from a new shampoo, a flea infestation, or playing out in the grass if your dog is allergic. The skin of Boston Terriers is sensitive, and the slightest changes to your home routine can impact a skin allergy.
Simply washing the dog's bed in a new detergent can lead to allergies, or cleaning your home with a new cleaning product. If you notice skin sensitivity with your pet, you'll want to pay attention to any changes you make with the cleaning and laundering products in your home.
Skin allergies can be very uncomfortable, and you don't want your pet scratching their skin until they have raw, red patches.
Boston Terrier Food Allergies
Corn and soy can be the cause of your Boston Terrier's food allergies, and it is important to uncover the foods your dog is allergic to if they are experience symptoms of food allergies.
These can include excessive scratching, vomiting, lack of interest in food, changes to the coat, gastric distress and poor energy levels.
In order to manage food allergies, you first have to figure out what your Boston Terrier is allergic to. This is done by finding a food brand that is specific for food allergies, and allows you to put your dog on a food elimination diet.
Once your dog eats an allergen free food for up to three months, you can then slowly add in food items to see what the cause was.
Boston Terrier Ear Allergies
Your Boston Terrier can have ear allergies on the outer ear from flea or mite bites, or as a general reaction to allergens in the air. Pollen and grass allergies are common in Boston Terriers, and you will want to pay attention to how much ear scratching your dog does after being outside to play. Your dog may bite at their ears, or scratch excessively. A veterinarian can prescribe allergy medication, creams, and a cone to avoid scratching if your dog's skin is getting ruined. Your dog can experience stuffy ears and ear infections if they don't get the care they need for allergies.
Boston Terrier Eye Allergies
Eye allergies in a Boston Terrier are much like what you see in people. Watery eyes are common, as is itching, redness, and sometimes swelling. If your dog is showing signs of an eye allergy, but no other symptoms, you'll want to make sure that there is nothing in their eye causing the watering or redness. Boston Terriers often show skin reactions as the first sign of any allergy, so it would be possible that eye issues are not an allergic reaction. When you notice a problem with your pet's eyes, such as tearing up, crusting, or swelling, you will want the veterinarian to check it out to make sure there isn't an infection.
Treating Allergies in Your Boston Terrier
The first step in treating allergies in your Boston Terrier is to identify the cause of the allergies. It might be a new cleaning product you have tried, or a different food that your pet is trying. If you notice signs of allergies with your pet, it's important to have your pet seen by a veterinarian. You might see mild symptoms in the beginning, but your pet can get worse with consistent exposure to the allergen. If you don't manage your pet's allergies, this can make it difficult for your Boston Terrier. Your pet can have bald areas because of hair loss, trouble eating, and weight loss.
Determining the Allergens
To figure out what your pet is allergic to, the veterinarian might look at skin allergy testing, complete blood tests, or consider saliva testing to see what is going on. If you think your pet is allergic to their food, you will likely put your pet on a food elimination diet to rule out what food is the culprit. While corn and soy are common allergens, so is dairy in some dogs. While your dog may not eat much dairy to begin with, it can cause allergic reactions in your pet.
If an elimination trial is needed for your Boston Terrier, you can try a gut friendly dog food such as Jiminy's Good Grub or Cricket Crave for a period of 8 to 12 weeks. This will help you figure out what your pet is allergic to, and make it easier to get your pet's allergy symptoms under control.
Solutions for Allergies and Your Boston Terrier
Allergies are often a life-long issue that has to be managed rather than cured. Once you determine the cause of your pet's allergies, your job is to help your pet avoid these allergens. Treatment starts with avoiding the allergens when you can, although it is not always possible to avoid pollen, dust or other environmental allergens. You want to pay attention to the integrity of your dog's skin to look for signs of scratching, and contact a veterinarian when your dog is itching too much.
As you learn about your dog's allergies, you might discover that your pet enjoys allergen free foods, such as Jiminy's Cricket Crave. If you can find an allergen free food for your dog that they love, this will help control the allergy symptoms over the long term. Many dogs get the relief they deserve from allergies when they switch to an allergen free dog food brand.