When your dog starts exhibiting the signs of allergies, you may not notice at first. After all, all dogs scratch themselves, experience wet noses or eyes and sneeze. But when these symptoms persist over long periods of time, or when they become more frequent, it’s hard not to notice. Especially since these are the very same symptoms that humans have with allergies—even the wet, runny nose!
Just like you, when your dog has allergies there are hidden symptoms, too. Your dog may feel lethargic, or have a general feeling of being unwell. They may not be interested in playing with their favorite toy. They may even show signs of being a little bit more needy than usual. If you’re usually independent canine friend is suddenly padding around behind you and asking to snuggle, it could be more than a sudden yearning for extra love. It could be allergies.
Humans have aisles full of allergy medication to choose from. Your dog, on the other hand, has few resources except to try and alert you to his or her condition through non-verbal communication. Once you figure out that your dog is suffering with allergies, you can do something about it, however.
Determine the Cause
The first thing to do is to determine what’s causing the allergies. Common allergens in dogs are:
- food
- pollen
- mold
- dust mites
- pesticides
- medications
- tobacco smoke
- perfumes
- grass
- and more
Looking at this list, you can see that the same allergens that affect humans can affect dogs.
To get started relieving your dog’s allergies, you need to eliminate each possible cause, one by one. Ask yourself:
- Has the lawn been treated with chemicals recently?
- Has your dog started attending a new doggy day care?
- Have you started wearing a new perfume recently?
- Is someone on the property smoking? Housecleaner? Landscapers?
- Is there excess pollen in the home?
- Is it allergy “season”?
- Is your dog on any new medication?
- Have you just put a new flea collar on your dog?
Basically, you need to figure out if anything has changed, and then think back and see if the allergy symptoms started when that change occurred.
Employ the Process of Elimination
Essentially, the next step in relieving your dog’s allergies is to do a process of elimination. Start with anything new that’s been introduced into your dog’s life, based on the list above.
One by one, cut things out; remove them from your dog’s sphere. Keep a written record if you have to, and see if your dog’s symptoms are alleviated. When you hit on the right allergen, you should see a difference within a day or two.
What to Know About Food Allergies
The interesting thing about allergies that many people don’t realize is that you (and your dog) can develop new allergies to old foods. This is referred to as “food intolerance” and it often occurs when a particular food is eaten often and in large amounts.
Food allergies are actually immune system reactions based on a developed intolerance. It’s a strange thing to think that your dog could all of a sudden be allergic to his go-to kibble brand, but it happens more often than you might realize.
Try a New Food
If you have removed all the “new” things in your dog’s life, and the poor little thing is still suffering, it’s time to consider if he or she has developed a food intolerance.
Invest in some nutrient-dense, insect protein food from Jiminy’s. Our wet and dry dog foods and snacks contain powdered cricket protein. This novel protein is ideal for dogs who have developed a sensitivity to traditional dog foods. And, experts recommend that dog owners with to novel protein sources when their dogs exhibit allergic symptoms to their regular dog food brands. A novel protein is simply a protein that is new to the system, and one in which the dog’s body has not created an immune response, as in allergic symptoms. When food is the problem, you should see results quickly. But vets recommend waiting a full 8-10 weeks to be able to see final results.
Remember, don’t leave your dog’s vet out of the equation. Allergic reactions in dogs can be a lot more serious than a runny nose. Always keep your vet fully informed, and bring your dog in for a checkup if you are at all concerned.
With patience and attention to detail, you should be able to figure out the cause of your dog’s allergies and take steps to relieve them by eliminating the allergen. Your dog will thank you for it. For a wide range of novel protein dog food for your beloved dog, shop Jiminy’s online today.