Archives for Dog Skin Allergy category
It should come as no surprise to anybody that the solution to an overweight pet is exactly the same as if we were overweight. All of us need to consume less than the recommended calorie intake to lose weight. When the body takes in too much food, food is stored as fat in the tissues of the body so that when there is not enough food, this stored fat can be used to help them to get through the lean times.
In order to lose this stored weight, you must reduce their calorie intake by a small amount so that their body uses stored fat instead of using the foods that they are given for energy needs. Fortunately, you are taking care of your pet and therefore controlling their calorie intake so, assuming your dog doesn’t know how to open the fridge door, weight reduction is possible.
Depending on what your pet’s calorie intake goal is, reduce this number given to them by just 5 to 10 percent. No more than this thought. This small reduction will help them to use stored fat as energy and therefore help them to lose weight. More than this amount is counter productive as it will cause the body to go into starvation mode which will not allow them to use stored fat.
Probably the two most important changes to their diets will be reducing the amount of fat foods that are consumed and to increase the amount of fiber in their diet. Most often used for dogs, this type of diet can be helpful in allowing the pet to have the nutrients they need but to help them to reduce the amount of fats taken in. The less fat you take in, the less fat you will have stored around the body, it cannot be healthy dog food with too much fat. Be careful not to eliminate it completely though. Pets will need some fat, but in most cases reductions can be an effective method of weight loss.
Consult your vet, tailor your pet’s diet to take into consideration the amount of fiber and fat that they should consume.
Finally, always read the label on the foods you give to your pets. There can be some shocks here, so read before you buy and you will find this is the best way to adjust these elements of their diets effectively and give them healthy dog food.
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Apr 30, 2009 | | Dog Skin Allergy
Shiny coat is a sign of healthy pet. Dogs can have all sorts of skin problems and they range in severity from benign to very serious. Any dog can have dry skin; it is not an exclusively human condition. Just like us, dogs need good skin care to prevent itching and flaking.
Shiny coat is a sign of healthy pet. Dogs can have all sorts of skin problems and they range in severity from benign to very serious. As Winter approaches and the temperature begins to drop, you notice a new behavior with your dog: he is constantly scratching, biting or licking his fur. As each day grows cooler, his behavior worsens. Winter is also a time when we experience dry hands and feet, and as such we require extra treatment during this time to keep our skin moist and healthy. Any dog can have dry skin; it is not an exclusively human condition. Just like us, dogs need good skin care to prevent itching and flaking.
Is your home dry in the winter? If so, this could be causing dry skin itch. Use a room humidifier to moisten the air. Also, try a moisturizing shampoo from the pet store. Do not bathe your dog too often; keep his coat clean but that is all–this will help with the scratching and, also, keep them from being uncomfortable during winter months. Water and winter do not mix well with your pet. When you must bathe your dog, be sure to use a dog shampoo. A dog’s ph level is different from our own and human shampoos can be harsh on their skin. Instead, buy a dog shampoo that can offer moisturizing effects. Besides providing moisture, many shampoos can also offer flea and parasite protection, which can also help lessen scratching. Some of the more promising cures are herbal extracts such as horsetail, dandelion, spirulina, and fucus, which can help maintain skin and fur health, improve digestive health, and promote general well-being in dogs and cats. Brush your dog often to remove dead hair and dander; if possible, a quick brushing every day will help your pet immensely. Healthy skin, ultimately, reflects a dog’s lifestyle. By using quality foods and adding fatty supplements to their food (oil, etc), you can guarantee your dog to have a flake-free coat.
But when your dog skin is flaky, red and irritated or some noticeable bumps, rashes or other unusual inflammations, this could be a sign of something serious. Others see some open sores in dog body or dog’s hair is falling out excessively, your dog needs to see his vet. He could just be allergic to his fleas or something in your home. It’s important to get some sort of flea control. Your vet can help you determine and eliminate any other allergens that are causing your dog trouble.
Also dog hotspots are very common, they are typically a bacterial infection. They might have started out as just an allergy, but as the dog scratched, he broke open the skin and introduced bacteria into the sore with his dirty paws. The bacteria grows and causes further irritation to the skin. The vet will want to clear up the initial allergy as well as treat the new infection. He may also prescribe a pain reliever. Most of the time, your dog’s skin troubles can be solved using a variety of treatments. Some are topical like creams and shampoos. Others are pills or injections. Be patient though, not all dogs respond similarly to treatment. It may take a while to find what works.
Common tips to prevent and treat dog skin allergies is to give the right and healthy food. Premium dog foods like Wellness, Royal Canin and Science Diet are balanced nutritionally, with less grain and more meat. One way to determine the quality of a dog food is to look at the first few ingredients, which should be a meat, rather than a grain. Fresh foods like meats and vegetables are high in nutrients and vitamins, which will help to improve a dog’s skin and coat by improving overall health. Consider adding fresh meats, and vegetables and fruits like carrots, celery, broccoli, apples (with no seeds), and greens like kale to each meal. Always introduce new foods gradually to avoid stomach upset. A dehydrated dog is going to be prone to dry skin, among other health problems, and some dogs simply don’t drink what they should. Provide extra fluids by serving wet food or by hydrating dry food. Add hot water to kibble, allow the kibble to sit for about ten minutes - this should cause the kibble to swell with water, providing extra fluid with each meal. Fresh vegetables also have high water content, aiding further in providing moisture to the dog’s body. Oils can greatly improve the condition of a dog’s itchy or dry skin. So once daily, soak one or two pieces of bread with olive oil and serve with each meal. Or add the oil directly to the dog’s meal by providing a teaspoon of olive oil for each 15 pounds of body weight.
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By Hannah Serrano
Published: 9/27/2008
Information About Dog Allergies
There are various things that can cause a dog to have an allergic reaction. The more common dog allergies include Dog Food allergies, protein allergies, allergies to pollen, and dog skin allergies.
Can a dog with crystals eat holistic pet food?
Lauren on I’m sorry, Rachael Ray, you should have asked me about your new pet food, first Cure Black Pus Filled Sores On Dog Skin, Disorders Cure To Buy on More on food allergies and food intolerance in dogs
Avoid Dog Skin Problems For Healthier Pets
Dog skin problems are perhaps the second major concern of most canine owners. Next to health problems, your dog’s skin is the next part of your dog’s anatomy .. By Alex De La Cruz.
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Jan 28, 2009 | | Dog Skin Allergy
Helpful Dog Allergy Prevention Tips…
Unfortunately, there are no cures for dog allergies. However, there are several things you can do to make life with your dog more comfortable:
1. Wash your hands frequently.
Wash your hands with soap and hot water immediately after handling your dog. If you are unable to wash your hands right away, avoid touching your hands with your face especially your eyes, nose, and mouth. If you have severe allergies and are in close contact with your dog, you may need to take frequent showers and change your clothes throughout the day.
2. Feed your dog a well-balanced diet.
Your dog’s diet should include some natural fat. This fat helps to make your dog’s skin less dry, resulting in less shedding. Talk to your vet about his recommendations on how to safely add fat to his diet.
3. Don’t allow your dog in the bedroom. 
This tip takes a lot of discipline, but it does make a big impact on your reaction to allergies. Keeping your bedroom door closed is ideal because it keeps airborne particles away. Sleep on mattresses and pillows with hypoallergenic polyester fillings. Also, as an extra precaution, cover your pillows, mattresses, and box springs with plastic, zippered, allergy-proof covers.
4. Brush your dog often.
It is ideal to brush your dog daily. However, if you suffer from allergies, you’ll need to give another family member the responsibility of brushing the dog. If possible, the dog should be brushed outdoors. If you live alone with your dog, consider taking him to a professional groomer. You could wear a dust mask and gloves for brushing him in between grooming visits.
5. Bathe your dog often.
Check your dog’s current shampoo. It should be ahypoallergenic or oatmeal based shampoo. If it’s not, 
try switching brands. If your allergies can’t handlethe bathing, have another family member be responsible for giving baths. Or, have your dog visit a groomer.
6. Wash your dog’s belongings.
Get into the habit of washing your dog’s bed, blankets, and toys on a weekly basis either by hand with a safe soap or in the washing machine.
7. Check your vacuum.
Make sure your vacuum cleaner has a HEPA (High Efficiency Particle Air) filtration system.This type of system will help pull up and trap more of yourdog’s dander from the floor.
Note: vacuuming is recommended over sweeping because sweeping can stir the dander into the air, rather than trapping and removing it.
8. Have carpets cleaned regularly.
Even though you use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filtration system, it is important to still have your carpets steam-cleaned throughout the year. Try tohave this done at least quarterly.
9. Dust often.
Use a damp cloth to wipe down surfaces such as tables, shelves, window sills, wall hangings, lamps, and other furniture and accessories. If necessary, wear a dust mask as you clean. Reccomended cleansing solutions:Oti-Clens Cleansing Solution
10. Keep the air fresh.
Use an air purifier one that contains a HEPA. This type of system will help eliminate dander from the air.
The less a dog sheds the less dander it produces. The following breeds typically produce less dander:
Airedale
Basenji
Bedlington terrier
Bichon frise
Chinese crested
Irish water spaniel
Italian greyhound
Kerry blue terrier
Maltese
Poodle
Portuguese water dog
Schnauzers
Shih tzu
Soft-coated Wheaten terrier
Tibetan terrier
Wire-haired fox terrier
Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican hairless)
For more Dog Breed Health Tips, Large Dog Breed Profiles, and details on specific Dog Training Exercises, visit us at http://largedogbreedz.com
By John Hinkle
Published: 2/9/2007
Dog Allergy Treatment
Without a doubt, preventing your dog’s allergies is by far, a much better option than constantly trying to cure what ails them. Treatment of dog allergies is an on-going process, while prevention is better in the long run.
Holistic Approach to Dog Skin Allergy
The best way to deal with dog skin allergy is to approach the problem holistically. One dog allergy solution is to make sure your dog enjoys overall good health and has a strong immune system.
How to Get Rid of Dog Dander
Dog dander can be a serious problem, but it can be controlled. You can learn more about allergy prevention and how to get rid of dog dander at Sarah’s Dogs.
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Jan 16, 2009 | | Dog Skin Allergy
As the summer months roll around and millions get ready for summer vacations and plenty of outside time, summer allergies are also kicking in. Studies suggest that human allergies have nearly quadrupled since 1980. Pet allergies appear to be on the rise, in concert with human allergies.
Approximately 20 percent of all dogs suffer from some sort of allergy and the number is rising.
Animals, just like people, can suffer allergic reactions to a wide variety of environmental substances, or allergens. The occurrence of pet allergies mirrors that in human allergies, and the trend is rising each year. Common pet allergies include such things as flea bites, pollens (trees, weeds grasses), molds, wool, tobacco smoke, certain foods, and even other pets. The age of onset is usually between 6 months and 3 years of age. While symptoms are usually seasonal at first, they may become year-round over time.
Just like in humans, pet allergies are an inherited trait and lifelong disease. When one parent is allergic, there’s an increased likelihood that the offspring will be too. For this reason, pet allergies can also be breed specific, and some breeds are more prone to allergy than others. Retrievers, Boxers Terriers and Shih-Tzu’s are some of the more common breeds that suffer from allergies.
Skin disease (atopic dermatitis) is the most common symptom of pet allergy. During a flare-up, your pet’s skin becomes extremely itchy, red, scaly, and irritated. Atopic dermatitis can be widespread over the pet’s body, or limited to a few areas of the body; usually the face, feet, belly, groin and rump. This intense chewing and scratching (pruritis) can produce hair loss and inflamed areas of the skin, and often leads to secondary infection.
Pet allergy testing will identify the allergens that cause your pet to suffer. After discussing your pet’s clinical history and environmental surroundings, your vet may prescribe a simple blood test to identify your pet’s allergy. To begin, your veterinarian will draw a small amount of blood from your pet and send it to a laboratory for testing. Your pet’s serum will be tested for sensitivity to a panel of grass, tree and weed allergens specific to your geographic region, as well as to other important allergens such as dust mite, mold, cat dander, food and insects.
Pet allergy treatment with Immunotherapy; treat the cause, not the symptom. Based on the results of your pet allergy test, your veterinarian can request an immunotherapy treatment kit which is specific to your pet’s individual allergies. Immunotherapy is the only pet allergy treatment that can alter the natural course of your pet’s allergic disease. Immunotherapy is an effective, long-term treatment that gradually builds your pet’s immunity to the specific allergens that are causing your pet’s discomfort.
Author Bio:
Gelsey Smith is an associate editor to the website Pet Allergies through breaking news, personal views. We also provide requisite information about the numerous Pet allergies Testing and Treatment. Your feed back comment and suggestions will be highly appreciated at gelsey.smth@gmail.com
By Jane Morris
Published: 6/13/2008
How Does Allergies Work For Dogs Do you know that dog allergies happen quite more often than many people might suspect? Problems that can arise from these kinds of allergies
include the internal organs and also the skin.
Dog Allergies Medication This is the Part 7 in the dog allergy series. Today we discuss dog allergies medications. You may want to read the other parts before this one… Dog Information on AllergiesRead more.
Curing Dog Allergies at Home When you have dog allergies, it is definitely best to not have any dogs at home.
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Jan 16, 2009 | | Dog Skin Allergy
