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Dog Allergies

By: Chelsea Sankowski

Dogs are, in general, unlikely to get allergies as such, but rather may suffer symptoms such as itching and scratching caused not by an allergy but by its environment or food. Filthy bedding, for instance, is asking for problems, but too many chemicals in the wash may create different skin complaints.

Some people, but not a lot, are allergic to nuts, fruit or dairy products. Similarly in a tiny number of cases dogs have true allergies, especially if they are too ‘highly-bred’ or come from pedigrees where line breeding has not been properly used. Rather like humans, interbreeding can cause problems if not checked.

Apart from these rarities your average dog is more likely to have problems due to its diet. It’s very easy to bung half a can of dog food in a bowl with a few biscuits every day and think that’s OK, but after a few years of this the monotony of the diet may begin to affect the dog’s general health, leading to small but annoying problems.

A varied diet, no ‘picking bits from the table’, only the odd ‘treat’ and you will have a happy and healthy dog. Fine, give your dog a bit of chicken now and again (in his bowl, never from the table or kitchen worktop) incorporated in his daily meal (most dogs really only need one meal a day unless they are old or young), but expect him to fart for a day or so.

Depending upon the breed, dogs have much stronger stomachs than we humans. Particularly if your dog is of a ‘working’ type such as a hound or hunting variety he will be likely to have less digestive problems, but a balanced diet will prevent annoying little problems.

A frequent problem with many dogs is scratching or itching. This is, in the vast number of cases easy to remedy. If the skin is dry or the hair is patchy in places simply put a teaspoon of olive oil (or any unflavoured kitchen oil) in his/her food, and put a bit of oil on the dry part of its coat. Just like we use a moisturiser, and often tinned foods do not have the right type of fats in them. This saves a fortune in expensive vets’ bills and medical potions. If it’s really bad though you may still have to see a vet. As always prevention is better than cure.

If you live in an area where fleas are a problem try some of the new long lasting medication which you simply put on the scruff of the neck every few months. Its wonderful stuff and will also prevent any chance of your house getting infested.

Worming should be regularly undertaken. If you want to save money just put the tobacco from a cigarette (or half for smaller breeds) in their food and it will do the same job. Yes, some of these ‘old wives tales’ really do work.

If you give your dog a good and varied diet, like you should have yourself, your dog will very probably stay healthy all its life. The canine equivelent of ‘meat and two veg’ is much better than a diet of rich human food and a few chocolates. A dog’s stomach is not meant to eat human food but a little won’t do it too much harm if his usual diet contains the basic necessities, oils and vitamins.

In general dog ‘allergies’ can be effectively treated very quickly as long as you notice them in their infancy, not when they are so bad that you have to go to the vet’s for treatment. A caring owner should be able to notice these little things and deal with them with just a bit of common sense. Real dog allergies are rare.

Article Source: http://animalarticles.com

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