Do Your Pets Have Allergies? | Pet Allergy Symptoms & Treatments

Did you know that your pets may be affected by the air pollution in your home? Often, we think about family sensitivities to pets, and how our indoor air pollution impacts the human members of the family. But your furry family members may have sensitivities to the air in your home as well.

Dogs with Allergies

Just like humans, dogs can be allergic to pollens, mold spores, dander, smoke and other airborne particles. They are often exposed to outdoor allergens while roaming backyards and neighbourhoods, but allergens that make their way into the family home can cause irritation as well.

Allergy Symptoms in Dogs

Dogs with allergies have symptoms that aren’t much different from human symptoms. These can include itchy skin, itchy and runny eyes, sneezing, and snoring due to an inflamed throat.

Dog symptoms differ when it comes to a few features humans don’t have - an itchy tail, swollen paws and constant licking (Pets WebMD). 

 

Cats with Allergies

Although many people have sensitivities triggers by cats, cats can suffer from allergies as well. “When a cat has allergies, her immune system is overly sensitive to certain everyday substances and begins to identify them as dangerous. Even though these substances - or allergens - are usually common in most environments and harmless to most animals, a cat with allergies will have an extreme reaction to them” - Pets WebMD.

Like dogs, cats can be allergic to pollens, mold, dust, perfumes, cigarette smoke, and more.

Allergy Symptoms in Cats

Your feline friend can suffer from itchy skin, runny eyes, itchy ears, general itchiness, inflamed throat and more (Pets WebMD). Cats can also suffer from asthma causing sneezing and wheezing.

 

Treating Pets with Allergies

Prevention is the best method. Keep your home dust-free and remove any allergens from your pet’s living environment to help put them at ease.

Just like human allergy sufferers, limiting exposure to pollen can be a prevention method for your pets. Avoid pollens by keeping your pet indoors during allergy season and using an air purifier to clean the air inside.

Often times, pet owners like to create a comfortable space for their pet to sleep, but a cushy bed may be home to dust, and even mould. Clean your pet’s bed on a regular basis to avoid allergy symptoms.

Your pet can carry allergens into your home affecting both the pets and humans in the house. So, give your pet a good cleaning on a regular basis, and wipe them down when they come inside during high pollen seasons.

Give your pet clean air to breathe. All pets deserve clean air, just like humans. This is especially true for pets who are prone to allergic reactions and asthma symptoms. Keep cigarette smoke away from your pets, and use an air purifier to remove airborne particles from the air in your home.

Your pets are an important part of your family, and your home is their home. Give your pet a clean environment to live, breathe and relax in.