We love dogs for a reason. Having a loyal friend and playmate that will love you forever and never run out of energy? Perfect. Getting close to a dog is harder for some people than others, however. Certain dog allergies can rear their ugly heads and cause unexpected problems. A significant minority of the population suffers from dog and pet allergies. Some are even forced to find a new home for their dog because of intensified allergies. This wouldn’t be the most desired solution, of course, and it can be heartbreaking. Fortunately, there are other ways.

The allergens that dogs produce come from the proteins in three sources; Dander (shed skin cells,) saliva, and urine. People with supersensitive immune systems react to these proteins and this is what causes the symptoms. A common misconception is that hairless dogs will not produce allergens. Although hairless dogs produce less allergen, they still produce saliva and urine, making such a claim untrue. The symptoms of these allergies are very similar to those of other minor allergies. People with dog allergies may suffer from itchy eyes, runny nose, asthma symptoms, red itchy skin or a rash. These allergies can prove to be quite a nuisance, but there are lots of ways to reduce the effects of the symptoms that Fido just may decide to leave behind.

A clean home is the best defense against dog allergies and allergens. Making a point to vacuum regularly helps, as does using furniture that is upholstered in leather. Changing your air filter to your AC unit will help reduce dander floating around in your house. And since fur can retain allergens, regular bathing is a good idea. Be sure to remember to wash your dog’s bedding or cushions, or else anything you gained from giving the dog a bath will be lost quickly.

A much simpler way is to purchase allergen reduction products. Allerpet D for Dogs is an example of a shampoo that reduces the amount of dander in a dog without causing dryness of the skin. Decreasing dog allergies is as easy as adopting good management strategies!

An allergy specialist can give you additional advice as well. They can provide you with certain prescriptions and over the counter, that can mitigate the runny noses and itchy eyes. For reactions that are really bad, they can recommend and perform allergy shots, which are a good idea if you have bad allergies in general. Getting rid of your dog and sending it to another home should not be your first option.

Visit the Hypoallergenic Dog Food Guide for more info on allergies that can occur within dogs.

Related posts:

  1. Dog Allergy Treatments
  2. Finding The Right Dog Allergies Treatment
  3. Reasons To Choose Natural Dog Allergy Remedies
  4. Dogs Get Allergies Too!
  5. Food allergies

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Filed under: Dog Health

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