May is Asthma and Allergy Month!
Humans aren’t the only ones that have allergies; your pet can develop allergies too! Your pet may be allergic to his/her food, something in the house, or an outdoor item. So, how do you know if your pet is allergic to something? Watch for these symptoms:
Red, inflamed itchy skin
Shaking head
Rubbing or scooting around house
Chewing/biting at feet
Hair loss
Runny eyes
Sneezing
Asthma (especially in cats)
Brown staining on dog’s feet
Bald tummy in cats
Scratching at the ears
Constant ear infections (this is not normal- no matter what breed your pet is or how floppy his/her ears are)
Constant skin infections
Irregular or consistent steroid use
During the spring, summer, and fall months, symptoms will most likely flare up if your pet has seasonal allergies. Common outdoor allergens include weeds, trees, grasses, and molds. However, if your pet is allergic to something indoors, there will be symptoms year-round. Common indoor allergens include dust mites, storage mites, cat dander, human dander, cotton, and insects. Sometimes, it can be hard to know if your dog has a health problem or if he/she is showing normal behavior.
If your pet is displaying abnormal behavioral symptoms, he/she most likely has allergies, an infection, or another issue. Talk to your veterinarian if you have any concerns or notice your pet displaying other allergy symptoms, we can help!