Poway Patch is a wonderful online resource for all things Poway, and since we provide Animal Control services for the city of Poway, we are regular contributors to the site. Our Pets of the Week appear every Friday on the site, and we also write a bi-weekly "Pet Parenting Tails" column that offers tips and insights into pet parenthood. With spring (and allergy season) upon us, we recently did a two-part series on allergies ... for pets and for people.


Spring Allergies Also Strike Our Pets

Spring is one of my favorite times of year. Flowers are blooming, leaves are budding and temperatures are mild. But while spring brings a bounty of beauty upon us, it also comes with Benadryl and Claritin to help combat those pesky allergies. It’s easy for us to simply avoid those things that bring on our allergy attacks, but pets have a much harder time avoiding the elements.

Allergies can cause misery to people and pets alike. Last summer, my dog Blue developed a food allergy that caused itchy, flaky and scabby skin. The poor guy was stopping what seemed like every 20 seconds to scratch, which made me feel terrible because I knew he was suffering. As it turns out his condition was easily remedied by switching foods, but not all allergies are that easily fixed. So how do you cope with a pooch or feline that suffers from allergies?

It’s important to note that a dog or cat can develop allergies at any time in its life. My dog is almost 8 years old and never had a reaction to his food, so I was surprised when he developed such a bad allergy last summer.  Just like in humans, pets with allergies will display symptoms such as sneezing, scratching, redness, runny nose and eyes, and licking (OK, that one isn’t really like humans, but you get the idea).

If you suspect that your dog or cat is suffering from allergies, it’s a good idea to visit your veterinarian so you can determine the cause and develop a plan of action. But here’s what you can do at home to alleviate your pets’ symptoms:

Keep coats clean: Our pets’ coats are good at attracting dirt, pollen and other allergens, so it’s important to keep them clean. Bathe them often with over-the-counter or prescription shampoos that are gentle on their skin. Bathing your pet too frequently or using the wrong shampoo can dry out their skin, so ask your vet what is appropriate. Cats can be harder to bathe, so check your local pet store for spray-on products or wipes. If you suspect dust is the problem, clean your pet’s bedding once a week, vacuum a few times a week, including rugs and curtains, and do frequent sweeps over you wood or tile floors to keep the dust in your home at bay. 

Prevent pests: Flea bite hypersensitivity and flea allergic dermatitis is the most common skin disease in pets, according to PetMD. Saliva from the flea is believed to be the cause of the sensitivity, so it can affect both dogs and cats. Symptoms include itching and scratching, hair loss and scabs on the skin. Flea control and prevention is your best defense against these pesky critters. Preventive options include Frontline or Advantage, shampoo and topical treatments or sprays. It is a good idea to start a flea-control program for your pets now before the season really ramps up. Ask your veterinarian which option is best for your pet and how often you should use the products.

Food allergies: As I mentioned before, I went through this with my dog last summer. Changing Blue’s food and treats was the first thing I tried when he started showing signs of an allergy, and his problem started to improve within a few weeks. My dog’s symptoms included dry, scabby, flaky skin, but you may also notice biting, licking, skin redness, hair loss and even ear infections.

I switched Blue from one over-the-counter food to another with great success, but you also can consider prescription food or home-cooked meals for your pets. Check with your veterinarian to help decide which option is best for you. The biggest challenge is making sure that you stick to the new diet! If you continue to feed your dog or cat treats, snacks or human foods it will be difficult to pinpoint what is causing the allergy.

Foods that may cause allergies in dogs include beef, chicken, corn, dairy, egg, soy, wheat, fish, lamb, pork, rabbit, duck and venison. In cats, foods include beef, fish, dairy, wheat, barley, egg, lamb, pork, poultry, rabbit and duck.

We all want to do what is best for our pets, but we can’t do it alone. I hope these tips have helped, but always consult with your veterinarian if you suspect your pets aren’t feeling well or are suffering from allergies.

Now that we’ve discussed how to help pets cope with allergies, I will be talking about how people can deal with allergies to their pets. I myself am allergic to cats, but I lived with my feline Minnie for 18 years before she passed away in September. Many of us with allergies can’t bear the thought of living without a pet, and there are ways to cope. See you here in a few weeks to discuss it!

Allergic to Your Pet? Steps to Stop Sneezing

A few weeks ago we discussed how to cope with a pooch or feline that suffers from allergies. But what if you are the one who is sneezing and itching and needs allergy medicine to cope with allergies to your pet?

I am allergic to cats, so this is certainly a topic I can relate to. But I’m proud to say that I lived with my feline Minnie for 18 years before she passed away in September. I have to admit that it wasn’t always easy, and I had my share of itchy skin and red, puffy eyes. Despite my occasional suffering, I couldn’t bear the thought of living without my pets, and I know I’m not the only one who feels that way. In fact, an estimated one-third of Americans who are allergic to cats (about 2 million people) live with at least one cat in their household anyway.

Before you can learn how to cope, it’s important to have a good understanding of what causes your allergies. According to the Humane Society of the United States, glands in the animal’s skin secrete tiny allergy-triggering proteins called allergens that linger in the animal’s fur but also float easily in the air. Allergens are present in the animal’s saliva and urine, too, and may become airborne when saliva dries on the fur.

The severity of reactions to these allergens varies from one person to the next, ranging from mild sniffling and sneezing to life-threatening asthma, and can be complicated by simultaneous allergies to other irritants in the environment.

Here are some steps you can take to reduce your symptoms:

Create a pet-free zone in your house, preferably the bedroom, and deny your pet access to it. I know this can be difficult because we want to integrate our pets completely into our lives, but having an allergy-free zone that you can escape to is important. Even though your pets aren’t allowed in the room, that doesn’t mean you won’t bring a little piece of them with you in the form of hair and dander. To minimize allergens, use a HEPA air cleaner and impermeable covers for your mattress and pillows.

Keep your home clean. Use the HEPA air cleaners throughout the rest of your home. This is one thing that I utilized in my house, and although it wasn’t always 100 percent effective in eliminating my symptoms, I did notice a difference. Place filters on air ducts and change them monthly. Avoid cloth curtains and blinds (they catch dust and dander).

Some people even suggest forgoing carpeted floors, but tearing out carpeting can be an expensive endeavor. If you do have carpet, vacuum frequently using a microfilter bag and do periodic steam cleaning. Dust and wash your couch covers and pillows, curtains and pet beds in hot water every few weeks. Open windows to refresh your home (unless you also are sensitive to outdoor allergens).

Keep your pets clean. Bathe your pet at least monthly (that includes your cat if she will tolerate it). Frequent brushing also helps, but be sure to do it outside so you don’t spread hair throughout the house. Between baths you can rub down your pet with a wet paper towel or allergy wipes. After walks or playtime outdoors, comb and brush your dog so he doesn’t bring pollens inside.

Always wash your hands! My allergy symptoms around my cat were mostly skin related, so I never really had a problem until I petted her. And if I ever petted her and touched my face without washing my hands first … let’s just say it wasn’t pretty. Always wash your hands and arms after handling your pet, and it doesn’t hurt to wash your face at the same time.

A few more tips: Clean litter boxes every day, and place them away from air filtration vents so you don’t circulate allergens throughout the house. Wash your pet’s toys with mild soap and hot water to remove saliva, which is an allergen.

Before you adopt: If you are considering adding a pet to your family and know you’re allergic, please weigh the pros and cons and make sure you can live with the symptoms before adopting. We’ve seen many cats come back to our shelter because the new owner was suffering from allergies, and it’s painful for all parties involved.

Our love affair with our furry friends shouldn’t have to end because we suffer from allergies. I hope these tips will help you cope and save you from sneezing and sniffling when you should be enjoying time with your pet.