5 signs that your dog has allergies
Allergies in dogs are caused by an overreaction of the dog's immune system. Normally, the immune system protects the body against dangerous bacteria and viruses - but if the dog is allergic, the immune system reacts instead to harmless particles (allergens). The body then produces excessive amounts of antibodies - which leads to physical problems in the dog.
Some breeds are more prone to allergies than others – but all dogs can develop allergies. About one in ten dogs is affected by allergies – and symptoms are often seen before the dog is three years old.
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1. The dog licks its paws
Do you have a dog that licks its paws a lot then this could be a sign of an allergy. You can often explain this away by saying that the dog is just grooming itself – but here you should keep an extra close eye on the dog. It is not normal for a dog to lick its paws several times a day. Maybe it puts its entire paw in its mouth and bites off small pieces? This is one of the most common signs of an allergy.
2. The dog scratches in and around the ears
Another common sign of allergies in dogs is itching in and around the ears – often recurring ear infections are seen. Take a look at your dog's ears – do you see any signs of swelling, redness, pain or perhaps a lot of earwax?
All of these can be signs of an ear infection – often due to an underlying cause such as an allergy. Healthy ears should have a sweet, honey-like smell. If the ears are smelly, this is a clear indicator that something is going on – but the most important thing is to get a vet to assess them.
3. General itching
General itching is perhaps the most obvious sign that is difficult to ignore as it can even result in sleepless nights for the owners if it is really bad. It is normal for a dog to scratch once in a while – but if it stops during a walk, during a meal or interrupts sleep, it is usually a sign of itching that is not within the normal range. The dog may scratch almost all over its body and may bite and pick at the skin where it itches. Fortunately, there are several types of medication on the market that relieve itching – but the most important thing is to find the underlying cause and treat it.
Do you suspect an allergy in your dog? Read more about it here.
4. Loose in the stomach
Most people have a fairly good overview of their dog's faeces because we are good at picking up after them. Have you noticed that your dog periodically has loose stools then it could be a cry for help from the intestines. It could be anything from daily loose stools – to only every 14 days or increased frequency. This type of chronic diarrhea should be a warning light indicating that a health check-up with a veterinarian should be scheduled.
5. Itching in the anus
Anal gland problems and itching in the anus are the last sign we want to highlight. It is not necessarily allergies that are the first thing that comes to mind when a dog slides its butt across the living room carpet. Many have noticed that filled anal glands can be the cause of this type of behavior - but in healthy dogs, the anal glands are emptied every time they defecate. It is a kind of "calling card" that is left for the next passing dog. If this does not happen, the glands will gradually fill up more and more. In the worst case, it can result in anal gland inflammation.
