| Many dogs today suffer from constant scratching | | | | For allergic condition, other then food which could be |
| and this can cause much dismay and annoyance from | | | | causing allergic reaction, we cannot ignore |
| pet owners especially if they are their wits end on | | | | environment causes as well. |
| what is causing the itch. Some dogs end up | | | | 3) Environment Allergy |
| scratching themselves raw which could lead to | | | | Firstly, we need to check if your dog is allergic to |
| infections as well. Included are some suggestions on | | | | environment conditions of your home. Like humans, |
| what could be causing your pet to scratch constantly | | | | some dogs are allergic to pollen, dust mites and |
| and remedies recommended. | | | | insect bites. |
| 1) Fleas and Ticks | | | | For pollen allergens, keep your pet away from the |
| This is one of the most common cause of concern | | | | source and if it cannot be avoided, clean and wash |
| for many pet owners. There are many commercially | | | | them often to rid them of as much allergens as |
| produced monthly medications to ward off these | | | | possible. |
| pesky insects. However, I find that the best method | | | | For insect bites, to prevent occurrence, use natural |
| to keep fleas and ticks off is ensuring that your pet | | | | sprays such as those that contains aroma oils like |
| has a good immune system. This is the best way to | | | | citronella oil, eucalyptus, lemon grass, clove or neem |
| keep the fleas and ticks off your dogs for good! | | | | oil. Any of these oils in the content can ward off |
| These pests do not like to feed on healthy dogs. | | | | insects. |
| They tend to go for animals with weaker immune | | | | For dust mites, throw away any old mats or cloth |
| system. Regular use of anti-fleas spray is good | | | | that they usually sleep on, use plastic beddings |
| prevention especially if you are still in the process of | | | | instead of soft bedding as soft beddings attract dust |
| building up their immune system. A more natural flea | | | | mites. If you need mats in the home, make sure |
| spray would contain ingredients such as neem oil or | | | | your pet is not resting on it and wash and change |
| lemon grass oil. If your dog has a serious infestation | | | | them regularly (at least 3x a week). |
| with fleas and require immediate attention, bring him | | | | After clearing their beddings or clearing off mats and |
| to the vet to address the situation or you can drip | | | | they are still allergic, it could be floor detergent that |
| Frontline, Accurate or fipronil medication. Use a flea | | | | they are allergic to. If this is the cause, dogs usually |
| comb to comb out as much fleas as you can. Avoid | | | | get more skin rash on their tummy area as a result |
| bringing them to grassy area especially during fleas | | | | of resting on the floor. To resolve this, stop using |
| and ticks season when building up their immune | | | | the detergent and switch to a more natural range |
| system. | | | | which is available in some organic health stores. If the |
| To remove ticks, care must be taken to ensure the | | | | skin rash cleared up, you can be sure the commercial |
| tick bite do not irritate the skin after you remove it. | | | | floor detergent is the cause of the skin rash. |
| You can numb the ticks with clove based products or | | | | These steps are essential to check if they are allergic |
| isopropyl alcohol. Once the tick bite is off the skin, it | | | | to substance in the environment or allergic to food |
| will be easier to pull him off without damaging fido | | | | source. |
| skin. Spray on or apply wound disinfectant on the | | | | 4) Food Allergy |
| affected area to prevent skin infection. | | | | This form of allergy is most challenging for most pet |
| 2) Mange | | | | owners as discipline needs to be instilled to determine |
| A dog suffering from allergy can be a constant | | | | allergy food source. A faster approach would be to |
| nightmare for both the dog and owner. It is | | | | perform food allergy test with your pet. Call up your |
| disheartening to see your pet constantly scratching | | | | vet to check if they provide such as service as not |
| and causing raw wounds on their skin due to itch. | | | | all vets have this service. |
| The following recommendations must be done in | | | | Alternatively, minimize your pet food intake including |
| stages to assist you in identifying possible causes. | | | | treats to very basic meals and until you notice |
| Before we start, ascertain that the skin rash is not | | | | improvements to the skin condition, then add one |
| due parasites such as mange, fleas or ticks. If you | | | | more type of ingredient one at a time over a period |
| suspect mange, bring the doctor to the vet and get | | | | of few weeks to determine what triggers the onset |
| it verified. Mange can get very serious if not treated | | | | of allergy. This method requires a lot of patience, |
| early. The constant scratching can cause the skin to | | | | time and cooperation from the rest of the family as |
| be raw, red and balding. The vet can do a skin scrap | | | | they should not be feeding fido anything else other |
| to ascertain if the condition is an allergy or mange | | | | then their basic controlled meals during the testing |
| condition. | | | | period. |