It is Winter time again, a time of the year when pets and humans are very vulnerable to each other. As this is obviously the chilliest time of the year, animals are much more likely to be cooped up inside the house with us. All of the windows and doors are closed to the world and the heat is blasting around the clock.

These are precisely the conditions which make our winter homes playgrounds for some kinds of allergens. Our dogs and cats are considerably vulnerable to the dust in the carpet, the mold inside the walls of your old house and other pets. But warm moist times of the year are high allergy times as well. Allergies are simply the most common conditions affecting cats and according to the Kansas State University, 15% of dogs suffer from common allergies like pollen and house dust. An allergic reaction is the work of an overactive immune system. It is when an animal responds abnormally to a seemingly everyday substance like grass or general food ingredients.

Of the different kinds of allergies, contact allergies are the least common in cats and dogs. An Example of a contact allergen is a flea collar. Grass and various kinds of bedding such as wool are also examples. An Inhalant Allergy is the most common allergy for cats and is also prevalent in dogs.
This particular kind of allergy is caused by the hypersensitivity of the immune system to environmental substances. A Flea Allergy is the single most common dog allergy but is also common cats. The normal dog or cat suffers only somewhat minor irritation in lieu of a flea bite with minimal itching.

A food allergy is also somehat common in pets. Cats often become allergic to their most common protein such as tuna. Dogs can be allergic to proteins like chicken and beef. When it comes to allergies, like most things it’s a matter of controlling, not curing. Once an animal’s body becomes hypersensitive to certain things, it is then eternally vulnerable to those things.

Regarding treatment of allergies, the most common treatments are topical products like shampoos or antihistamines. There are also certain supplements that you can give to your pets to help support

the insides of their bodies, which to an extent determine the condition of the outside. Studies have shown that if we shampoo our pets’ coats on a regularl basis, it is much less likely that foreign substances will enter through the skin. Regular bathing discourages allergens — irritants such as dander and dead hair. When our pets itch and injure their skin, it leaves their internal landscapes much more vulnerable to skin problems For additional Information visit

Dog Supplements from Life’s Abundance for help with your dog

Ryan Joseph is a writer/researcher of pet issues. For more info. visit http://www.premium-cat-food.com/

Bookmark to:

Tip! Unfortunately, food allergies are blamed for close to 200 deaths every year. Scientists say that allergies have to do with genetics.

A former coworker has a dog that had begun itching and scratching incessantly. So much so, he had worn away a lot of his fur. She took him to the vet suspecting fleas; as it turned out, he was allergic to wheat which is in many dog treats and foods.

When we started our dog treat business, we gave out some samples to dog owners we know and she had to turn them away so her beloved Snoopy wouldn’t get sick.

Many dogs have problems with wheat, onions and garlic. If your dog has any strange behaviors or illnesses following consumption of a new food or treat, you may wish to consult your veterinarian to rule out an allergy.

Other items that your dogs should NEVER EVER eat, but would if given the opportunity, is CHOCOLATE! Chocolate contains harmful chemicals theobromine, caffeine and theophylline. If consumed, death is not certain but a trip to the vet will perhaps be necessary. We use carob or yogurt chips to offer a sweet and safe alternative.

Tip! Harold Miller used to suffer from allergies until he took it upon himself to get educated. While Harold still has the occasional bout, he has learned many ways to improve his allergies and as a result enjoys serving as a contributing editor at allergyrelief101.

In the meantime, we at Abby’s Dog Treat Bakery have developed several wheat, garlic and onion free treats as we believe all dogs should have access to delicious, wholesome, home-baked treats.

J.R. Mercier is a freelance writer and is co-owner of Abby’s Dog Gift Baskets and Abby’s Dog Treat Bakery. Abby’s is web-based business founded on a healthy, happy, dog and dog owner.

Bookmark to:

Tip! Ironically, however, pets also are commonly afflicted with stubborn allergies that are a source of much distress–and expense–for their owners. And, very commonly–just as with their owners–medical interventions that mainly focus on treating the symptoms are quite ineffective.

Many people don’t realize that their dogs, just like human
beings, can suffer from allergies. In fact, about twenty
percent of the dogs in the United States alone suffer from
one allergy or another, with flea allergy dermatitis being
the most common form of allergies in dogs. Other types
include atopic dermatitis, food allergies, and inhalant
allergies.

Signs and symptoms of dog allergies may vary but are often
marked by persistent itching and discoloration of the skin
(most common in skin allergies), coughing, sneezing,
wheezing, and mucus discharge (most common in inhalant
allergies), and nausea, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea
(common to food allergies and other ailments.)

Over-the-counter preparations and treatments for common dog
allergies exist and may be purchased at any good pet supply
store, but care should be taken when choosing such
treatments. Consultation with a vet is the best first course
of action for several reasons. First of all, what you think
is an allergic reaction may actually be signs of a more
serious ailment and a vet should be the one to determine
whether that is the case. Secondly, if the allergy is severe
enough, over-the-counter treatments may not be sufficient to
treat the symptoms and a prescription strength treatment may
be required. There is also the chance that the dog does not
have an allergy at all. The last thing you want to do is
medicate your pet unnecessarily.

Tip! Harold Miller used to suffer from allergies until he took it upon himself to get educated. While Harold still has the occasional bout, he has learned many ways to improve his allergies and as a result enjoys serving as a contributing editor at allergyrelief101.

If you do think your dog has some type of allergy, consult
your vet. The doctor will be able to perform tests to
determine whether an allergic condition exists, how severe
it is, and what the proper treatment will be. If the dog has
an allergy to certain foods, it will be imperative to
restrict the animal’s diet to eliminate those items that
cause a reaction. The vet’s testing methods can help to
determine whether this type of allergy exists as well. If
the dog has flea allergy dermatitis (an allergic reaction to
the saliva of fleas, rather than to the insects themselves),
an extreme flea prevention regimen will be recommended.

Just like humans, dogs that suffer from various allergies
can live comfortably with them if they are detected and
treated properly. It is important to keep in mind that this
is not a time to “play doctor” by attempting to diagnose and
treat a possible allergic condition yourself. Only your
veterinarian is qualified to determine whether your dog is
suffering from allergies and what course of action to take.

Tip! If your immune system is too weak to fight off the allergies, you will end up suffering for a good part of the year. Your immune system may be weak for a couple of reasons.

This article may be published in it’s entirety provided an
active (clickable) link to
http://DogBlog.thynke.com
is included along with the “About the Author” resource box.

Mike Nalbone is the publisher of The Dog Blog at:
http://DogBlog.thynke.com

Bookmark to: