Dog allergies and What You Need to Know

DOG HEALTH


Posted by bravectosouthafrica – 10 September 2018


It’s officially spring time! Gone are the gloomy days and out comes the sunshine, flowers and a whole lot of fresh, new energy.

We’re pretty sure your dog is as excited as anyone for more picnics and walks in the park. To truly enjoy the new season, it’s important that you’ve read up on what to look out for and ensure you’re both well prepared for everything that comes along with it. Remember to treat your dog to his Bravecto® chew, to ensure his safety against ticks, fleas and mites.

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Springtime Dog Allergies:

Humans know the feeling all too well – as soon as the seasons start to shift, some of us may get runny noses, scratchy throats and never-ending sneezes. Unfortunately, our pooches also suffer from seasonal dog allergies, commonly known as ‘atopy’. Instead of having a case of hay fever, your dog’s allergies come in the form of itchy, dry skin, causing rashes, redness, bleeding and skin infections.

So, why does this all happen in spring? For an allergic reaction to take place, your pup needs to inhale certain proteins that fill the air. If your pooch has an allergic reaction to one of these proteins – it’s referred to as an allergen. Common allergens include pollen – hence the springtime scratching and rise in dog allergies. Our pawed pals pick up these allergies as a result of inhaling allergens, eating grass and often rolling around in fields or even the back yard. This shouldn’t keep you and your pawed pal from celebrating the beautiful outdoors.

Some ways to help kick springtime dog allergies include:

1. Baths

This is the most effective way to relieve immediate skin irritation for your dog. Ask your vet to recommend medicated shampoo, like Pyostat, to help get the bacteria under control. This will also help soothe the skin. Regular bathing should not exceed more than twice a week.

2. A healthy diet

Maintaining a healthy and balanced dog diet will help boost your pup’s immune system, which might be working in overdrive trying to fend off those nasty allergic symptoms.

Springtime shedding

Warmer weather means a lot more shedding. Dog shedding in spring is due to your dog getting rid of their winter coat. To limit the amount of pet fur in the house, a regular bath and brush will help tame the situation. Be sure to also visit your local dog groomer for a routine wash and haircut to manage dog shedding in spring.

Don’t forget about ticks, fleas and mites

Springtime calls for warmer weather, which means ticks and fleas are flourishing. Luckily, if your dog is routinely taking his Bravecto® chews, this shouldn’t be a worry. Just one Bravecto® treatment will keep him protected throughout the spring season. To make sure that you keep your dog protected this spring and summer, don’t forget when his next Bravecto® treatment is due, download our app!

Sources:
http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/can-dogs-have-spring-allergies
https://barkpost.com/dog-treating-springtime-allergies/
https://petcube.com/blog/is-your-pet-ready-for-spring/

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