An Overview of Contact Allergies in Dogs

Contact allergies in dogs can take a range of directions and have a range of symptoms from reddened areas to a constant licking or scratching at the underbelly, paws, or muzzle. The causes of an allergy can arise from many things both natural and manmade. The time it takes an allergy to show symptoms is also connected to the cause of the outbreak. Treatment for contact allergies depend on recommendations made by your veterinarian once they examine your dog and determine which allergies are causing the problem.

What is a Contact Allergy?

Contact allergies are an ailment, which your dog can have when the skin is defending itself against an attack. Contact allergies can be found both outside and inside the home, and where the cause comes from will most likely be related to whether your dog is an outside or inside dog. Contact allergies affect dogs much like they do cats and people. Once something encounters the skin, it can cause an outbreak. Finding the cause of the allergy is the first step to knowing what to do about it.

What are the Causes of Contact Allergies in Dogs?

Harmful natural substances such as grass, spores and mold can cause contact allergies. Allergies can also be caused by bugs such as mites and fleas. Dogs can also be allergic to many types of food. Dogs can also be allergic to the shampoo you use for yourself or them, or household cleaners and chemicals used to clean the house.

How Do I Treat Contact Allergies in My Dog?

While the best treatment is to control the environment for your dog is by keeping it allergen free, this is not always possible it is controllable. Changing the cleaners around the house to more natural and plant-based products will help. Vacuuming and cleaning away dust more often can also be effective. Limiting the grain intake or switching to a more natural meat-based food may also help. If your dog goes outside during pollen season, you may want to either fence off the area or place a dog run in another part of the yard for the time being. Medication such as steroids, liquid applications or pills may also be required; check with your veterinarian for recommendations.

How Long Do Allergies Take to Show Signs?

Contact allergies in a dog show within 48 hours of the initial infection. Allergies can reoccur at any time so administration of medication or other treatment is needed for the life of the dog. Usually you can trace back the allergy to a short list of possibilities. Food allergies often occur within hours, as do allergies to mold, cleaning agents or shampoos. Flea and tick allergies can erupt almost immediately, but it takes up to two days to determine if there is an allergy because fleas and ticks are tiny bugs. Pollen and dust allergies, as with people, take time to develop serious symptoms so you may think at first that your dog has a slight cold.

There is much information in determining which contact allergies your dog has. You will need to plan with your veterinarian for the proper course of action. Most often, once the initial allergy has been treated, continued treatment is a matter of simple containment, hygiene and a few minor changes. Outbreaks can, and will, still occur; but these will be much less frequent.