Dog Allergy Symptoms: What To Look For in Chicago, IL

Do you think your dog might have allergies in Chicago? Allergies are surprisingly common in dogs, and it’s not impossible for your pet to be suffering from allergies as well. However, when trying to determine whether or not you may have a dog who suffers from allergies, it’s important to think about the symptoms to help narrow down the possibilities.

In the article below, you’ll find information about some of the most common symptoms of allergies in dogs. Read on to find out more!

 

Sneezing and Coughing

One of the most common symptoms of allergies in dogs is sneezing. Dogs may sneeze if they have contact allergies, seasonal allergies, or traditional allergies, and some dogs may even sneeze more often with food allergies.

Coughing is very similar. However, coughing may also be a symptom of kennel cough or other common dog ailments, so it’s important to take your pet to the vet right away if you notice her coughing for more than a day or two. Her cough could be a sign that there’s something more serious going on that will require medication from the vet to help heal.

Dog Runny Nose

Dogs can easily develop a runny nose as a result of allergies, just like humans and many other animals, too. A dog with a runny nose may not always have allergies, but it is likely that a frequent or recurring runny nose comes as a result of seasonal or environmental allergies.

If your dog is allergic to pollen, smoke, or other smells in her surrounding environment, you may notice her nose running more and more frequently. Talk to your vet to find out whether your dog might need some allergy medication to help clear up this symptom.

Dog Itchy and Watery Eyes

Just like humans, dogs may develop itchy, watery eyes as a result of allergies. If your dog is allergic to pollen or other contaminants in the environment, she may have red eyes that become watery easily. She may paw at her eyes or rub her face on the furniture to try to scratch her itchy eyes, too.

Your vet will give you antihistamines for your dog if she requires them in this situation. Otherwise, you may just need to wait for her allergies to clear up before this symptom will dissipate.

Dog Itchy Skin

Itchy skin usually signifies a food allergy, although it can also sometimes be related to contact allergies, too. Dogs with allergies are more likely to have itchy skin than those without, but keep in mind that fleas can also contribute to this symptom.

If your dog seems to be scratching more often than she used to, or if she is scratching so much she’s making her hair fall out or causing herself to develop open sores, be sure to take her to the vet as soon as possible. This isn’t an emergency situation, but it is a problem that will need assistance from your vet to help clear up.

Poor Coat Condition

Poor coat condition is one of the most common ways to tell if your dog has a food allergy or intolerance. If your dog’s coat is looking dull, thin, or patchy, or if she has dandruff, these are all symptoms of an underlying problem that is very often related to food allergies.

Poor coat condition can be related to other problems as well, including skin parasites like fleas. If you suspect your dog’s coat health issues may be related to food allergies or if you’re unsure what the cause could be, talk to your vet for more information.

Dog Vomiting

Although it is less common as a symptom of allergies in dogs, vomiting can still occur in some instances. If your dog has a severe food allergy or intolerance, she may vomit after eating the food that causes this problem.

Some dogs may also vomit when they have other types of allergies, usually as a result of too much phlegm buildup in the back of the throat. Again, this is not a common symptom of allergies, but it can be present in dogs who have a more serious reaction to specific allergens.

 

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a few different symptoms that may be associated with allergies in your dog. If your dog is exhibiting any of these signs of allergies, you should take her to the vet to be sure. Although allergies are the likely cause of most of these symptoms, some may be caused by other illnesses and chronic conditions as well.

Your vet will do a full workup of tests on your dog to rule out any other potential causes before diagnosing her with allergies. From there, the vet will give you some recommendations for methods of treating your pet’s allergies as well. Be sure to follow the advice given by your vet. Call us at (773) 698-7525 or Request an Appointment today.