Corgi Allergies

Famous as herding dogs and originating in Wales, corgis are noted for their low stature and fun-loving, loyal qualities. They are excellent around children and make a good family dog. Corgis are even-tempered and confident and seldom suffer from hereditary problems. They are a hardy breed and usually live to 16 years of age. As with other breeds of dogs, corgis can suffer from allergies, but with some care and caution their owner can prevent corgis from being exposed to a plethora of allergens.

  1. Food Allergies

    • Some corgis can be allergic to wheat or grass. If they are outdoors and happen to eat the plant, this may cause them to throw up or upset their stomach. Some corgis can be allergic to meat-based foods. Switching to a vegetarian diet can help a corgi who has a sensitive stomach or cannot tolerate meats. You may want to try different dog foods that contain turkey, chicken, beef or lamb and see how your corgi handles this type of food. If the corgi is not tolerating the food well, switch to a vegetarian dog food.

    Skin Allergies

    • Corgis that spend time in the backyard or outdoors come into contact with weeds and pollens that can irritate their skin. If the corgi is scratching or licking one area on its body quite often, it could have come into contact with a weed or pollen. Some skin allergies can also be caused by food. Try keeping your corgi indoors or taking it to the veterinarian who can give your corgi allergy shots, which are steroid cortisone, to ease allergy symptoms.

    Infection

    • If a corgi has skin allergies and scratches or bites the affected area, this can cause bacteria to enter the skin. Wipe with a wet cloth and try to prevent the corgi from biting the area. Take the corgi to a veterinarian who can apply a topical steroid anti-bacterial cream. You will need to watch your corgi closely to keep it from licking the infected area.

    Ear Yeast Infections

    • If a corgi is scratching its ears and rubbing them on the carpet a lot, this could be a sign of a ear yeast infection. These are best treated with eardrops from the veterinarian. Yeast infections can result from water getting in a dog's long ear canal and not drying out. Ear infections can also be caused by food allergies or pollen outdoors. Your vet can ascertain the cause of the ear infection and advise you on the best course of treatment. If your corgi's ears get wet, make sure that you dry them out as quickly as possible with a towel.