We all look forward to spring time when the weather is warmer, especially after a cold winter, but with spring time comes the dreaded allergy season, but not just for humans. Pets too can suffer with spring time allergies, and both cats and dogs can have their fair share of allergies during this time, in fact in milder locations, pet allergies can last year round. This article will be discussing what types of allergy our pets could suffer from, how to treat them, and some plants to be wary of planting around your home if you have pets.
When we talk about pet allergies, there are really only two types, food allergies or environmental allergies, for spring allergies we will be discussing environmental allergies, which consist of pollen, dander, dust or mites. There can also be other environmental things that can cause allergies to, but for the most part an allergy in our pet during spring will probably be one of pollen, dust or mites. Once you realize that your pet has developed a spring time allergy, you need to take some steps in order to make him feel better, and there are quite a few things we can do to either cure, or manage the allergy.
First thing, is to look for signs of an allergy, our pets can’t tell us there is something wrong, but there are some obvious signs from allergies. More often than not you will notice your pet scratching an effected area, or licking a spot regularly, maybe even rubbing up against furniture to relieve an itch. These observations should be watched, because once a dog, or cat has developed a spring time allergy it can slowly worsen over time if we do nothing. An irritation or itch, will see the pet constantly scratching, and licking a spot until it becomes red, sore and eventually can lead to broken skin, leading to infection.
Dogs are more prone to spring time allergies than cats, although both can get allergies at this time of year, and the best way to keep their allergies to a minimum is to follow some simple guidelines. Washing paws after a walk will keep down the amount of outside allergens brought into the home, and frequent bathing during these first warmer months will keep the allergens down that he has collected from outdoors. Vacuuming the home regularly serves two purposes, it not only keeps the house clean, but also keeps bugs, mites and pollen down, the worst causes of allergies in the home, even better if you have an air filter.
If you think your pet has a spring time allergy be sure to talk with your vet about it, there are blood tests that can be done to narrow down what causes some allergies, and even diet change can help. Feeding a dog food for a specific breed can help, but only if it has low or no amount of by products. In addition, it can also help if you feed him a food that is low in grain content, as a high carb diet can trigger or worsen inflammation. There are even allergy fighting supplements like Quercetin, which is a bioflavonoid with antioxidant properties as well as being an anti-inflammatory, so it is important to speak with your vet about different options for pet allergy sufferers.
Spring Time Plants That Are Dangerous To Pets
Believe it or not, some of those beautiful, colorful flowers we dream of planting in our garden come spring time can actually be harmful to our pets, some can even cause death. Plants like daffodils and tulips are among the prettiest of flowers, yet the bulb or tubers contain alkaloids that can be toxic to our pets, and if eaten in large quantities can cause irregular heartbeats, convulsions and low blood pressure. Ingesting plants that contain grayanotoxins, also known as andromedotoxins can be highly toxic for both dogs and cats, plants like rhododendrons and azaleas, which happen to be another garden favorite.
Hyacinths are another favorite with gardeners, but pet owners may want to think twice before putting these in their home or garden as they contain dangerous alkaloids, which can cause diarrhea, vomiting, tremors and depression in both dogs and cats. Foxgloves and Lilly of the valley are both popular flowers, but can stop a heartbeat if eaten by your pet, and the famous Sago palms that have in recent years become hugely popular in gardens, and used as ornamental plants are one of the most toxic to both dogs, and cats as all parts of the plant are toxic. Keep in mind, that it only takes one or two seeds from this to kill a pet. Moreover, even some fertilizers can harm our pets, so always check for pet friendly fertilizer, and plants before you buy them so you and your pet can enjoy the outside as much as the inside without worrying about these issues mentioned here today.