Yes. Your dog or cat can develop allergies in the same way that humans can. There are three main types of allergies in animals. There’s Contact allergy, Food allergy and Inhalant allergy. Contact allergy results from direct contact to allergens such as insect bites and stings. Fleas are probably the most common type of insect-induced allergy.
Food allergies can develop in almost any protein or carbohydrate component of food. Inhalant allergies happen when your pet inhales substances such as pollen, dust, mildew and molds.
Unfortunately, our pets cannot tell us when they are suffering from allergies, so here are some signs to look for:
- Excessive itching and licking
- Face rubbing and swelling of the face
- Recurrent ear infections
- Loss of fur
- Sneezing
- Inflamed and infected skin
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Hives
- Redness of the eyes
- Respiratory issues
While some humans can outgrow their allergies, this is typically not the case in pets. In some cases, allergies worsen as your pet gets older. While there is no miracle cure, there are ways to
treat the different types of allergies through treatments such as over the counter tablets (only under the recommendation of your veterinarian), injections or even medications that are specifically designed for your pet after obtaining allergy test results. Call our office today to schedule an allergy consultation.