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What to do about Dog Allergies

As pet lovers, is there anything we love more than dogs? What more could one want than a playful, sweet, loyal friend that will love you until the day you die? But some people may find it harder to cuddle up to man’s best friend. Dog allergies cause problems for thousands of people. In fact, 15% of the population suffers from pet allergies. Some are even forced to find a new home for their dog because of intensified allergies. While this may be a solution to dog allergies, it is not a realistic solution to this problem.

Allergens from Dogs find their origins proteins from three sources; Dander (shed skin cells,) saliva, and urine. Allergic reactions in people to these causes usually happen if they have over active immune systems. Notice that hair is not in the list. A well-known myth is that hairless dogs will not cause reactions. While they do produce far less allergens, in the case of shedding skin cells, you can’t really stop a dog from slobbering and going to the bathroom. Typically symptoms are normal allergy symptoms that everyone is used to, such as itchy eyes, a runny nose, shortness of breath, red itchy skin or a rash. While these can be annoying, there are many ways to mitigate them to make them less problematic.

A clean home is the best defense against dog allergies and allergens. Vacuuming every week or so, buy furniture that doesn’t absorb allergens, avoiding clutter, and running air purifiers will reduce the amount of dander floating around in your house. Bathing your dog will also flush out anything festering in the fur. Just remember to also wash your dog’s bedding as well, or else that bath won’t do any good.

Or take the easy way. Many companies make products that reduce allergens. Special shampoos can help reduce dander on a dog without drying the skin. Start learning some new habits and you’ll be decreasing dog allergies in not time at all.

Of course, if the allergies are too bad, consulting with a professional may be your best bet. Some strong medication is out there, both prescription and over the counter, that can mitigate the runny noses and itchy eyes. For extreme cases, you can get allergy shots, which are a good idea if you have bad allergies in general. Kicking your dog to the curb should be a last resort.

More information can be found about dog foods that are hypoallergenic. You can also find out about brands of hypoallergenic dog food.

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