Your pet is an important part of your family. You love them as you do your children, so you notice the small things that others may not see. You know immediately when your dog is not quite himself. Believe it or not, your dog may suffer from allergies.
Allergies may make your dog’s skin dry, greasy, or slightly dry and oily, and are accompanied by frequent scratching, licking or chewing. As there are significantly more cases of allergic dogs than in the past; many veterinarians believe that an “allergy epidemic” is present. While the reasons for this allergy epidemic are uncertain, some of the theories put forth include the aggressive vaccination protocols that many dogs have been subjected to, poor breeding practices and the feeding of processed pet foods.
Whatever the cause, allergies are difficult to address. Some dogs require strong pharmaceutical treatment just to get some relief. There are no cures for allergies, though early identification and intervention can keep them under control, and in some cases, can substantially diminish them.
There is research that shows that one important way to reduce the likelihood that dogs will develop allergies is to give them high-potency cultures of beneficial probiotic bacteria when they are very young. Probiotics are inexpensive, safe, and they just might save you in costly vet bills later.
It’s important that if you suspect your dog is suffering from allergies that you discuss possible treatment options with your veterinarian. A change in diet and antihistamine may be a simple solution. You can also help keep your dog’s skin healthy by using non-toxic products for bathing and pest control.
