What Pet Owners Should Know About Pet Allergies

Allergies are no fun -- whether you have two legs or four. And while many humans have pet allergies, did you know that pets can also have allergies of their own?

Unfortunately, our pets can’t tell us when they’re not feeling well. So that means you’ll have to keep a close eye on them to see if something is wrong. And then, you have to figure out whether it’s something like a cold, which doesn’t last very long, or a more chronic type of sickness, such as allergies.

For pets, it may not be quite as easy as taking an antihistamine to clear their congestion and move on with their day. So, for their owners, here’s what you need to know about pet allergies and how you can best help your furry family members.

What Are Pet Allergies?

Just like humans, pets can have allergies to a wide variety of factors. It could be skin allergies, environmental allergies, food allergies, or something else. And just like humans, these allergies could present themselves in a variety of ways.

According to the American Kennel Club, skin allergies are the most common type of allergies for dogs. Has your pet ever had fleas? When pets are itchy from fleas, it’s actually not the bugs themselves that irritate your pet’s skin -- it’s actually the flea’s saliva that lingers on their skin after being bitten.

Other skin allergies can be caused by the ingredients in your pet’s grooming products. Think about it: You may have a friend or family member who is allergic to certain chemicals or scents added to soaps, shampoos, lotions, laundry detergents, or something similar. That means they may buy “hypoallergenic” or “scent-free” versions of these products.

The same can be true for your pet. Pet products with harsh chemicals and sulfates can dry out your pet’s skin, making them itchy or even causing a rash.

What Causes Allergies in Pets?

Pet allergies can be genetic, so if your pet has allergies to a certain type of factor, there’s a good chance it was inherited. If you adopt your pet from a breeder, they may be able to tell you whether the pet’s mother and father had allergies. However, if you adopt from a shelter, you will likely not have this information on hand.

Pets can also have seasonal allergies to things like pollen, meaning their symptoms come and go with the changing seasons and blooming trees. If their allergies are seasonal, they may be mostly fine throughout the year with the exception of a few months.

But, just like with humans, sometimes allergies pop up with seemingly no cause at all. The best thing you can do is try to eliminate the allergen or trigger to keep your pets as healthy and happy as possible.

What Are the Signs of Allergies in Your Pet?

If your pet has allergies, these are some of the most common symptoms you should be looking out for.

• Itching
• Hives
• Rash
• Swelling, including the face, ears, lips, and eyelids
• Red or inflamed skin
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea or other gastrointestinal problems
• Sneezing
• Itchy ears
• Chronic ear infections
• Itchy or runny eyes
• Constant or excessive licking

Of course, these symptoms will vary based on your pet and the type of allergic reaction they are experiencing. Keep in mind that, just like in humans, certain allergic reactions can be extremely severe. Pets can also go into anaphylactic shock. If that happens, be sure you have an emergency vet’s phone number on hand.

Even if your pet’s allergy is not very severe, they are likely experiencing discomfort, so it’s best to do everything you can to get them feeling better as soon as possible.

For example, what if they are just very itchy due to their grooming products or dry skin conditions? In fact, any time they are biting or scratching their itchy skin, it can lead to a risk of an additional infection. This demonstrates why it’s so important to use products that are designed to soothe their skin -- not make it more inflamed.