Just like people dogs experience and can have various allergies. However, dogs do not display their allergic symptoms by sneezing or getting the sniffles like people do; instead, they itch and bite. Some dogs will bite their feet, others will bite and scratch at their skin. If the allergy is severe, a dog may even scratch or bite himself to the point of drawing blood. Dogs can be allergic to an array of items, such as different foods and fleas. Many dogs also have seasonal allergies (See References 1).
Things You'll Need
- Diphenhydramine
- Different brand of food
Instructions
Observe your dog for signs of allergies. The first clue will be if the dog is itching or biting their feet. When your dog bites his feet, it is the equivalent of a human with a stuffy noise due to allergies. Dogs can be given diphenhydramine, which is an over-the-counter antihistamine. The usual dose is 1 mg per pound, given two or three times per day. Purchase the tablet form so that you can break them in half or fourths (See References 3).
Check your dog thoroughly for fleas. You can do this by turning him on his back and examining his stomach area; fleas love to dash across the a dog's stomach. Additionally, look for what is known as flea dirt or droppings; it will look like specs of small dirt. When your dog is standing, raise the hair at the base of the tail to see if you spot any fleas or flea dirt. If there are signs of fleas, your first course of action will be to get the flea problem under control. Dogs that are allergic to flea bites become miserable and often will scratch themselves to the point of blood, which may lead to hotspots where some of their hair falls out (See References 3).
Purchase a flea control product that is safe for your pet, such as Frontline. You can also call your veterinarian who can advise which product will work best. Most veterinarians sell flea products. Once the flea problem is under control you can continue observing your dog. If the scratching and biting subsides, you can be relatively confident it was a flea problem. If the scratching and biting continue, then your dog is undoubtedly allergic to something else (See References 2).
Read your dog food's ingredient list. Check for common allergies, such as corn and wheat. If their food has any of these, it could be that your dog is having an allergic reaction. Try a different food, preferably one with no byproducts and no wheat or corn. There are several hypoallergenic dog foods available. Purchase a small bag just in case it does not work or if your dog does not like it (See Resources 1).