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If your dog is itching, scratching, licking or biting their skin, he or she is probably suffering from allergy or “atopic dermatitis.”  Although there is no cure for allergy, it is very possible to manage and control the disease.  Allergy is a reaction dogs have to foreign proteins called “allergens.” Allergies can affect dogs by contact, inhalation or ingestion.  The first important step of any treatment is called “allergen avoidance,” an expression simply meaning removing the cause of the problem.  In order to remove those allergens from your pet’s environment, you need to identify the culprits of their allergic reaction. 

The Main Causes of Pet Allergies

1. Food: About 10-15% of allergic dogs are allergic to food.  A dog may be sensitive to proteins from meat such as beef (36%), chicken (10%), lamb (6%) or pork (4%), from dairy (28%) or eggs (10%) or to proteins from grains such as wheat (15%), soy (6%) or even corn. Many veterinarians also believe that food additives (dyes and preservatives) are common food allergens.  In 20-30% of the cases of food allergy, dogs have concurrent allergies(fleas, pollen…).  Food elimination trials, also called exclusion diet, will help you determine if your dog is allergic to food and to what components. Natural, organic foods such as steamed chicken and steamed vegetables are best for a healthy diet. 

1. Fleas: Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is a severe allergic reaction to flea’s bite, more specifically to certain proteins in the flea saliva.  Some pets are so allergic that a single flea bite can trigger a reaction.

1. Other Pets and Humans: Your dog can be allergic to cats, other dogs or even to you.  The major allergen from cats, called ‘Fel d 1’ is a globulin found in salivary, sebaceous and anal glands.  It is transferred to the skin and fur by licking and grooming.  The saliva then dries and flakes off and floats away in the environment.  People and other pets can also release allergens from the epidermal part of their skin that flakes out as dander or dandruff.

1. The environment: Environmental allergens can come from inside or outside of the house.  Inside there is mold, house dust, house dust mites, insect proteins (such as in cockroach), carpeting, furniture stuffing and ornamental plants all have the potential to trigger an allergic reaction in your dog.  Many dogs are also sensitive to lawn grass or pollens from trees, weeds and grass.  Usually those allergies are seasonal and following the local TV or Internet news allergy report will tell you which pollen is a problem that day.  You should also be aware your dog will bring those allergens in your home with his or her paws and fur.

Your dog can also become allergic to medications and pharmaceutical products and even to common bacteria and fungi found on his or her skin.  Animals can also develop allergies to multiple allergens at the same time. Genetic and breed predisposition as well as other factors such as tobacco smoke exposure can also increase the risk for canine allergic dermatitis. The prevention and treatment of allergies is directed at reducing or removing triggers in the environment.  In the absence of a magic pill or shot to cure your pet, a comprehensive allergen avoidance plan and a treatment plan can be put in place. 

To learn more about ArcaNatura’s easy, 3 step itch dog detox kit, please visit our page here. 

featured photo: lookpictures.net