Have you ever noticed that every time we enter autumn and winter, some pet dogs and cats will experience symptoms such as itching, licking their bodies, or sneezing?
Just like humans, dogs and cats also suffer from seasonal allergies.
Especially as the seasons change, trees, flowers and plants will release pollen, which can cause an overreaction of the pet's immune system, leading to several common allergy symptoms.
Whenever you see a dog or cat struggling with itchy skin or other common allergy symptoms, pet owners will suspect that these allergens come from the food they feed their pets.
However, veterinary medicine research shows that allergic reactions to food in dogs and cats are uncommon.
For example, dogs diagnosed with food allergies account for only % of all cases of skin disease.
In more cases, environmental factors are the culprit causing these symptoms.
What are the symptoms of allergies?
Pets with allergies in the fall and winter are often allergic to weeds that pollinate at this time of year, including ragweed .
These allergy symptoms in pets often appear in the form of skin irritations rather than respiratory problems, which may come as a relief to pet owners.
However, itchy skin can lead to extreme scratching, licking, or biting, which may cause hair loss or sores in your pet.
Another common allergy symptom is itchy ears and recurring ear area infections.
Most dogs will start to show symptoms of allergies in autumn and winter between and 3 years old..
Fall and winter allergies can be controlled with the help of a veterinarian, but unfortunately, these allergy symptoms can rarely be cured.
How to treat allergies in pets?
The first step in identifying and treating your pet's fall and winter allergies is to take your cat or dog to the veterinarian.
A veterinarian's assessment will indicate the severity of fall and winter allergies and will serve as the basis for developing an appropriate treatment plan.
In some cases, as pets become more mature, allergy symptoms will become more severe in autumn and winter, so it is very important to resolve allergy symptoms when they first appear.
Veterinarians can also perform allergen testing on pets to determine their allergy triggers. Some allergy symptoms can be treated with specialized shampoos and antihistamines, and in more severe cases, allergy shots or the steroid can be used as a complementary treatment for autumn and winter allergies.
The following simple measures can go a long way in helping pets with fall and winter allergies, so if your dog or cat is suffering from fall and winter allergies, try the following:
● After spending time outdoors, wipe pollen off your pet’s face and body with a damp cloth.
● Bathe your pet frequently with a mild shampoo.
● As the seasons change, pay extra attention to the importance of keeping your home clean and remember to dust and vacuum regularly.
● Make sure you feed your pet a nutritionally balanced and comprehensive U.S. commercial pet food to support your pet’s overall health.
What should I do if my pet has allergies all year round?
It’s not uncommon for pets to have allergies year-round.
Often, allergy symptoms may flare up and worsen as the seasons change, but they can also affect dogs and cats year-round.
While pollen, trees, and weeds are often the culprits of allergy symptoms, mold, house dust mites, and human and animal dander can also be triggers for pet allergies.
Allergy testing when your pet is young to identify and treat the underlying cause of symptoms is an ideal way to provide the best possible care for your pet.
US Pet Food (PFI) friendly reminder
If you find that your pet is allergic to a certain food, there is no need to worry. After nearly a hundred years of development, US commercial pet food has thousands of brands, including US commercial pet food hypoallergenic food specially developed for people prone to allergies.
This American commercial pet food formula has been formulated by professional nutritionists to not only meet all the nutrients dogs need in daily life, but also avoid allergens and reduce the possibility of dog allergies.
