Pet Allergies: Does your pet have them?

Coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, wheezing… Several pet owners frequently experience such symptoms or have friends and relatives who avoid house calls simply because of their allergies to pets. But what about when it's your furry little friend who starts coughing, wheezing, and whining?

Although not as common as human allergies to pets, pet allergies are a fairly frequent occurrence in the lives of dogs and cats. Just like people, our four-legged friends can be allergic to a number of things, such as dander or dead skin cells, dust, certain foods or food additives, air pollutants, plants, perfumes, and cigarette smoke.

A good way to determine if your animal is suffering from pet allergies is to pay attention to how often you hear him or her sneezing and coughing, as well as the level of energy your dog or cat exhibits. It is perfectly natural for your dog to sneeze or cough, and even wheeze on occasion when they inhale something unfamiliar to them, exercise excessively, or get overly excited. These are normal pet behaviors and do not necessarily indicate pet allergies.

However, if you notice your dog or cat coughing or wheezing on a daily basis, often exhibiting signs of nasal congestion such as a runny nose or excessive sniffling, in addition to worrisome displays of fatigue, you should speak to your vet about the possibility of pet allergies. These symptoms can also be accompanied by recurring respiratory infections in some pets.

While the vet will be able to run the necessary tests and determine the best course of action to take in treating your pet's allergies, some tried and true methods of improving the health of your pet involve basic lifestyle adjustments and improvements.

Purchase an air purifier to clear the air of any allergens present in your home. Check the Internet and find the best one in your price range.
Minimize use of perfumes and avoid smoking cigarettes around your dog or cat.
Bathe and brush your pet frequently. Every 2 weeks should allow for good hygiene and prevent the dry skin that accompanies excessive bathing of your pet. Check out The Dog Bowl online store for an amazing assortment of dog brushes and shampoos.
Vacuum and dust regularly.
Try changing there dog food to a more healthy and natural diet, such as the Raw diet (BARF Diet) featured at The Dog Bowl.
Wash their dog blanket and dog bed regularly. Or buy them a new one every three to four months - Who can afford that when it just takes one good quality purchase that can last for years?
Speak to the vet about possible over the counter allergy medications and/or vitamin supplements your pet can take.

With the help of your animal care provider, pet allergies are highly manageable and do not have to destroy the wellbeing of your otherwise happy, healthy pet.

For additional advice and information about pet allergies check out the rest of our website, and also feel free to browse our online catalogue, for products that might aid your dog who suffers from pet allergies, such as a new dog blanket, a dog bed, a brush, or shampoo.