Did you know that dogs can suffer from allergies just like humans can? They can suffer from five different types such as inhalant, contact, food, and flea. Here is a little bit of info on the different types of canine allergies.
Contact
Sometimes, you dog will suffer an allergic reaction when he comes into contact with various objects or substances. Most times, the offending object is bedding, carpet, flea collars, or topical medications. After contact, your canine will likely develop pus-filled welts and redness in the area.
Flea
All dog owners know it’s a constant battle to keep fleas at bay. Some dogs will suffer an allergic reaction when bitten by just a single flea. Once bitten, the area will redden, swell, and start to itch. This will prompt your dog to scratch constantly.
The constant scratching can cause hair loss and the development of hot spots. If your dog is allergic to flea bites, you have quite a problem on your hand. It’s quite difficult to control fleas effectively.
Food
Dogs can also be allergic to certain certain foods. If you’re allergic to a food, you know not to eat it. The same goes for your dog. If you feed him something he’s allergic to, he will probably develop diarrhea and vomiting. Skin reactions are also not uncommon.
There are various foods that your canine could be allergic to. Some of the most common include corn, dairy, lamb, beef, oats, and wheat. You should know that this type of dog allergy usually doesn’t occur overnight. It develops over a long period of time.
Inhalant
One of the next types of canine allergies is the inhalant variety. Your dog would suffer a reaction upon inhaling something. This could be pollen, dust mites, or mold. In the case of pollen, your dog would only have problems at certain times of the year.
Bacterial
All canines have different species of harmless bacteria in their body. Sometimes, dogs develop an allergy to certain bacteria which leaves them very vulnerable to infections. Whenever your dog experiences an episode, he would need to undergo a course of antibiotics to treat the condition.