Pets Have Allergies Too!
How to avoid springtime triggers & provide relief
Does the thought of having a sneezing, scratching pet around the house make you cringe? Luckily, there are ways to naturally combat allergy symptoms!
Some of the most common causes of allergies for pets are pollen, dust, plants, and mold. In addition, there are two different types of allergens that occur most often in the spring, contact and inhalant.
What are Contact Allergens?
As winter leaves and blooming plants and lush green grass start to appear, your pet may suffer from a contact allergy, which can develop into a skin rash or sores. Plants such as poison ivy and poison oak can easily cause an allergic reaction on your pet’s skin. When your pet scratches, the fur may start to thin, and if not treated, may create a bald spot.
Watch for red bumps, inflamed skin, and swelling in pets that may have been exposed to poisonous plants. Further, make sure to avoid these plants when taking your four-legged friend outdoors, and keep your pet inside when mowing your lawn.
Be Free of Fleas!
Another common skin irritation in cats and dogs are caused by fleas, whose itchy bites cause inflamed skin, swelling and red bumps. which can lead to scratching and balding patches in your pets’ fur.
Fleas are a common parasite, and while they can live on your pet year round, they usually start to multiply in the spring due to the warmer weather. Your pet also likely spends more time outdoors after being cooped up in the winter, thereby attracting these pesky fleas. Again, you will need to watch out for thinning fur and balding.
You can use natural flea repellents for your pets, like adding a small amount of garlic to your pet’s food dish to make Fluffy or Fido taste bitter to unwelcomed guests. Also consider using a safe, non-medicated pet shampoo free of parabens, sodium laurel sulphate or harmful petrochemicals to help deter pests.
What are Inhalant Allergens?
Inhalant allergens are a little different in the way that they present themselves. An inhalant allergy includes symptoms like sneezing, coughing, wheezing, and watery eyes. Seasonal allergens such as mold, dust, and pollen are the number one causes for such symptoms. When your pet goes outside for a walk, plays in the yard or even bathes in the sun, you may begin to see signs of a seasonal allergy.
Springtime breezes may feel nice, but they can wreak havoc on your pets’ allergies. Grass consists of many slender, long leaves and acts as a “pollen trap”, allowing the wind that carries pollen from the trees and onto your lawn, creating an allergy haven. Cut your grass regularly and rake cut grass instead of using a blower to help cut down on spreading pollen. Check your local pollen forecast and try to limit your pet's exposure to known triggers during high alerts.
To relieve skin allergies and itch, try Allergy Itch Ease™ for dogs, cats and small pets
For a herbal skin support cream for cats and dogs to soothe the discomfort from flea bites, visit FleaDerm™
To relieve sinusitis and nasal congestion for optimal respiratory functioning, try Sinu-Rite™
Signs of allergies in your pet may include:
