When many of us think of allergies, we, humans, are often the first thing that comes to mind. There are millions of Americans, alone, who suffer from allergies. These allergies may be due to food, mold, mildew, as well as the weather. Although humans are the most common sufferers of allergies, did you know that pets can also develop allergies? They can. In fact, dogs are the most common animals that suffer from allergies.
When it comes to determining if your dog or pet has allergies, many individuals do not know how to proceed. For starters, it is important to look for the symptoms. In fact, did you know that some pet allergy symptoms are similar to the ones that humans show? They are. One of the most commons signs that your pet may have an allergy is if they are constantly itching themselves. Another sign is that of skin irritation. With that being said, constant itching and skin irritation often go hand in hand.
Although it is relatively easy for some pet owners to determine if their pets are suffering from allergies, some are still unsure. If that describes you, you will want to seek medical attention for your dog, cat, or any other pet that may have allergies. A vet can do a number of tests, as well as examine your dog's skin to determine if they are suffering from allergies. Before you take your dog to the vet, you are encouraged to write down any questions that you may have or anything that may have caused you concerned. For example, did your dog start itching after getting into some weeds your backyard? Did you just change their pet food or give them a new pet toy or a new pet bed? If so, your vet should know.
Another one of the many reasons why it is a good idea to take your dog or cat to the vet is because you will likely end up doing so anyways. Many humans are able to stop itching, even when the urge to do so seems uncontrollable. Pets on the other hand, aren't always able to do so. If you notice that your dog is itching a specific area of their body for more than two or three days, a visit to the vet may be in order. The same should be said, if you notice a skin rash or any broken skin. If left untreated, your pet may develop an infection, which is actually much worse that just having allergies.
As for how your dog or cat can be treated if they do have allergies, it is best that you follow the advice of your vet. This is because some of the medications prescribed may be for animals only, but some may also be human medications. The only thing is that not all medications are ideal for dogs; therefore, it is important to follow the advice of your vet. As for treatment, many prescribe antibiotic and antifungal cream for rashes or infections that may have already developed on the skin. Other preventative steps will likely be taken. For example, if your dog is allergic to a specific weed in your backyard, you may need to remove it or keep your dog away from the area. Although the treatment offered is likely to vary, most options will immediately provide relief to pets that are suffering.
Do you suspect that you have a pet allergy? If you do, you may be looking for ways to seek relief or you may be looking for tips on how you can manage having a pet allergy. If you are, you will want to continue reading on, as a few helpful tips are outlined below.
Although there are a number of steps that you can take to treat or manage allergies that are due to pets, it is first important to make sure that you do have a pet allergy. Visit a healthcare provider or do your own experiments at home or when you are around animals. Do your symptoms get better when you are not near a pet? If so, you may have a pet allergy. Determining whether or not you do have pet allergies can help you save a lot of time and stress, should you actually not have an allergy.
If you do have a pet allergy or if you truly suspect that you do, it is advised that you schedule a visit with your healthcare provider. A doctor may recommend over-the-counter allergy relief medications for you. They may also prescribe a medication, depending on your symptoms. Although over-the-counter medicines and prescription medicines are all great ways to seek relief from allergies, it is also important to know that there are a number of natural steps that you can and should take.
One of the best ways to deal with a pet allergy is to remove the pet or pets from your home. If you aren't a pet owner, but if you have allergy symptoms when visiting friends or family, reconsider your choice to do so. Of course, you can limit the amount of time you are there or reduce your visits, but you may want to consider doing something else instead. Shopping, eating lunch, or having a cup of coffee are all great alternatives.
If you are a pet owner who cannot bear to part with your pets, like if you consider them to be a member of your family, keep your pet or pets out of your bedroom. The bedroom is the place where many individuals spend most of their time. The last thing that you want to be doing is suffering from allergies when trying to get a good nights sleep. If you are a visitor, as opposed to the pet owner, ask to move outside, if the weather is nice. You can also ask to move to a room where the pets aren't allowed.
Vacuuming as much as possible is another great way to relieve the symptoms of pet allergies. If you own a cat or a dog, invest in a good, quality vacuum cleaner, namely one that uses HEPA technology. There are also vacuum cleaners that are designed for pet owners. They may be a good idea if you are suffering from pet allergies. Many come with attachments that allow you to easily get pet air off of bedding and furniture.
As previously stated, it is important to remember that you can suffer from pet allergies even if you aren't a pet owner. If you know of someone who is a pet owner, like a close friend or family member, be sure to talk to them about your pet allergy. Of course, they will not get rid of their pets just for you, but they may take proactive steps to make their home a safer place for you. These steps may involve keeping their pets in another room or vacuuming before you come over.
As previously stated, if you do suffer from pet allergies or if you suspect that you may, it is a wise idea to schedule a visit with your doctor. He or she can prescribe medication to you or offer other helpful tips. With that being said, if you are uninsured, please try some of the easy and affordable steps highlighted above.
Are you a pet owner who thinks that you may be allergic to your dog? If you are, you may be looking for guidance. After all, there is nothing worse than realizing that you are allergic to your beloved pet or pets.
One of the first things that you will want to do is make sure that you do have a pet allergy. Sometimes, the symptoms of having a pet allergy can be caused by other allergies or by another medical illness, such as the flu or the common cold. Those who suffer from pet allergies may experience a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, postnasal drip, develop a skin rash, or have difficultly breathing. If you experience severe allergy symptoms or if you would like conformation that you do have a pet allergy, schedule a visit with a healthcare professional.
As for how you can go about treating your pet allergies that are due to your dog, you can remove the dog from your home. If you are unable to do so or if you choose not to, you will want to see if you can find it a good home. Friends or family members who are willing to take your pet are often considered the best option. Even if you want to keep your dog with you, there are still a number of steps that you can take to seek relief from some common dog allergy symptoms.
The best way to limit your allergy symptoms that can be attributed to your dog is to keep your dog or dogs out of your bedroom. The bedroom is the room where we spend most of our time. For that reason, your dog or dogs should be kept out of your bedroom. Doing so, may limit the number of irritating symptoms you display. It may also help to get you a good night of sleep. In addition to the bedroom, it is also important to examine other rooms that you may spend a good portion of your time. Consider keeping your dog or dogs out of that room as well.
Another great tip involves not letting your dog or dogs climb on your furniture. This is particularly important if you like to lie down on your couch or rest in a reclining chair. You do not want to have pet dander and hair in your face. If you must, covers can be used. There are a number of cloth style covers that can be used. They are a great alternative to the unattractive plastic covers. With that in mind, should you use cloth covers, be sure to wash them every few days or when too much pet hair accumulates.
Investing in an air purifier is another way that you can seek relief from a dog allergy, without having to find a new home for your beloved pet. Air purifiers work by eliminating air particles, including pet dander. It is best if you search online for air purifiers that are designed to help those with allergies. These air purifiers can easily be found with a standard internet search. Also, HEPA air filters and HEPA air purifiers are known for their amazing results.
Vacuuming as much as possible is another way to manage the symptoms that you may be experiencing due to having a dog allergy. In addition to vacuuming often, be sure to take a good, close look at the vacuum cleaner you are using. There are now vacuum cleaners that use HEPA filters and they come highly rated and recommended. In fact, there are even some vacuum cleaners that are targeted towards and marketed towards pet owners. You should examine these vacuum cleaners.
The above mentioned steps are a few of the many steps that you can take to seek relief from allergies that you may be suffering due to close contact with your dog. As reminder, a doctor may be able to prescribe you prescription medication or recommend over-the-counter products that may work just as well. With that said, remember that treating allergies, especially pets allergies, naturally is usually much safer.
