What can cause an allergy in a dog?

Many owners wonder: what causes allergies in their pets? There can be many reasons – and all are different. Let’s list the main ones.

Major allergens for dogs

1. Flea saliva. It is important to understand that the dog itself may not have fleas. They sometimes live in the crevices of the floors, periodically climbing on the dog to have lunch. It doesn’t matter how many times a flea bites a pet. Even one contact is enough for an allergy. It can also happen while walking.

2. Environmental substances. As a rule, this is a hereditary predisposition. The problem mostly occurs at 6 months. Allergens: pollen, fungus, dust, etc. If the allergy is congenital, most likely, the dog will have to be treated periodically throughout his life.

3. Food. Symptoms concern mainly the skin and digestive tract. Almost anything can be an allergen: from the simplest substances (for example, iodine) to complex non-protein and protein ones. But most often it is poultry meat (raw and boiled), fish and eggs (raw and boiled), dairy products, soy products, red fruits and vegetables, yeast, fish oil, citrus fruits, vegetable oils. And, of course, these are products that are basically forbidden for dogs: chocolate, sugar, spices, pickles, smoked meats, fried foods, etc. As soon as you notice malfunctions in the digestive system, immediately exclude such foods from the pet’s diet and consult a veterinarian.

4. Medicines. Such allergies do not occur often. If this happens, most likely it is due to antibiotics, novocaine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vaccines, hormones, vitamins. This is the most dangerous type of allergy, as it develops very quickly and can result in the dog’s death from Quincke’s edema and anaphylactic shock. The same symptoms can also appear with wasp or bee stings. So be careful while walking.

5. Household chemicals, care cosmetics. Carefully choose care products, follow the reaction of the dog’s body to their use.

6. Biological organisms (helminths, fungi, viruses, bacteria). This is an infectious allergy.

7. Autoallergens – when the body produces substances to which it itself responds with an allergic reaction. It is associated with serious disorders of the immune system and autoimmune diseases.