Pet Allergies: Does My Dog Have Allergies?

Pet parents all have one thing in common: we want the best for our furry friends and family members. Whether you have a cat, a dog or both, allergies and other medical conditions are concern number one. As the seasons change and allergens start to affect many of us humans, it is important to remember our pets can experience allergies as well. So, if you have ever asked the question: does my dog have allergies? or does my cat have allergies? we’re here to help you find answers! 

Keep your furry friends from suffering seasonal allergies

It’s spring once again, and you know what that means: time to nip allergy season in the bud. However, what you might not have considered is that your dog or cat could be experiencing sensitivities to the same allergens you are, including dust, spores and pollen such as ragweed. 

So how can you prevent Fluffy or Fido from dealing with irritated noses, itchy paws and watery eyes? 

Common Pet Allergies

Before we dive into whether or not your pet may have allergies, it is important to identify and define some common allergies your dog or cat may experience. We also want to take a look at what symptoms they could show to indicate certain pet allergies. Much like human allergies, pet allergies might include symptoms like skin irritation, difficulty breathing or being congested, but they may also show up as gastrointestinal issues and other symptoms. Let’s take a closer look:

1. Atopic Dermatitis

One of the hardest to detect pet allergies is Atopic Dermatitis, or atopy. Caused by common airborne allergens like pollens, these allergies may affect pets seasonally and usually causes itchy skin. But, most importantly, atopy can also be brought on by molds, mildew, and house dust mites, which can be present year round and is critical to prevent in order to help your dog or cat. We’ll touch more on it later, but this is where an air purifier can make a huge difference in your pet’s life. 

2. Insect Bite Allergies

Another common allergy for pets is to insect bites. Unsurprisingly, when a pet gets an insect bite it is common for it to cause irritation. Many dogs have insect bite allergies, and pests like fleas, flies and mosquitoes can give dogs bites that cause skin dermatitis. The most important prevention is to make sure your pet’s flea and tick treatment is active and robust, as well as keeping them out of insect hot spots. 

3. Food Allergies

Many people have probably witnessed their pets experience food allergies. Difficult to diagnose, food allergies can start at any age and are typically only treated by completely eliminating the offending food. These allergies can cause digestive problems, respiratory problems and more. If your pet is reacting to their food, it is important to try to isolate the ingredients as soon as possible

Does My Dog Have Allergies?

The only sure way to decide if your pet is allergic to something is by speaking with your veterinarian. While you may be able to get a good sense of their allergies based on symptoms, seasonal atopy can be harder to spot. Make sure you keep an eye out for your pet if they are licking paws, scratching constantly or otherwise seem irritated. Once you identify if your dog or cat is allergic to something, it is important to come up with a plan to help treat them. 

How to Alleviate Pet Allergies

We want our furry family to feel their best, that’s why we’ve come up with some great ways to help alleviate pet allergy symptoms. Simple tasks like cleaning the house for molds, mildew and dust mites is a great first step. Then it is important to take a closer look at symptom relief, especially for harder to isolate allergies like atopy. Take a look at some ideas below.

1. Clean Your Space

Making sure your space is clean and refreshed is a great way to alleviate pet allergies. Simple things like keeping common pet areas clean will not only help with atopy, but can also prevent insects from irritating your dog or cat leading to bite allergies. 

2. Get an Air Purifier

If you are wondering whether or not you need an air purifier for your pet’s allergies, the answer is yes! Coway Airmega offers a wide variety of options designed for this very purpose and can ensure your indoor air is cleaner by capturing particles that may trigger allergies or asthma. With multi-stage filtration systems and the Coway Green True HEPA™ filter you can make sure you—and your pets—are breathing easier through allergy season and beyond.

Your Pet Deserves the Best

So, if you have ever wondered if your cat or dog has allergies, hopefully this guide helped answer your questions and provide you with solutions. After all, we want what is best for our furry family members. Not only does an air purifier help keep your environment cleaner for you, but it also keeps your pets happier and healthier. Even better: air purifiers help keep your space clean from the inevitable dust and debris your pets bring in from outside. We call that a win-win-win!