With allergy season well underway, it’s time for you to figure out any allergies your pets may have and what to do in case of an allergic reaction.
There are two types of allergies pets can have:
- Allergies to food: Food allergies can occur at any time during the year. The most common food allergies, for both dogs and cats, include beef, lamb, seafood, corn, soy, dairy products and wheat gluten. This is not an all-inclusive list, so be aware of any other foods that bother your pet. Allergies involving diets can cause digestive tract problems.
- Allergies to the environment: If your pets are more seasonal, then it’s probably due to the environment. The most common environmental allergies include other animal’s dander, pollen, mold or dust mites.
Symptoms of pet allergies can be itchy skin or inflammation. To relieve the itch, pets will bite, lick or rub the irritated body parts on carpeting or furniture. The body parts that usually get irritated are ears, muzzle, groin, eyes, toes and ankles.
What do you do if you notice your pet has allergies?
Take your pet to their veterinarian. Depending on the type of allergy and severity of it, there are different treatment types. Vets will recommend changes in diet, such as removing certain types of treats or taking medication.
Allergies can be as serious for pets as they are for humans, so be careful and keep your eyes open. For more information on foods that pets shouldn’t eat, check out some of our other blog posts.