This is the second part in the series on dog allergies. In this part we take a look  at identifying dog allergies.

If you have not done so yet, please read the first part of this series here -

Dog Information on Allergies

Identifying dog allergies is often quite a difficult task. This is because many of the symptoms of dog allergies are also similar to the symptoms of other conditions and diseases that are common among dogs. Even when you do manage to  identify your dog’s symptoms as being caused by an allergy, it is difficult to tell what exactly she is allergic to.

Many dog allergies have similar signs and symptoms, but with a little patience and effort it is possible to distinguish them.

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If you are one of the many people who suffer from allergies you know how uncomfortable it can be.

Now imagine your dog suffering from allergies and how miserable she must be. She cannot complain and she cannot ask for help. So as responsible dog owners it is up to us to figure out when she is having an allergy outbreak and to provide her with medicine as soon as possible.

Similar to humans, dog allergies are usually passed through genetics from parents to puppies.

There are various things that can cause a dog to have an allergic reaction. The more common dog allergies include dog food allergies, protein allergies, allergies to pollen, and dog skin allergies. The good news is that they are all treatable with proper treatment and monitoring. For dog food allergies you can try and change her food until you find one that is fine for her to eat. For other allergies you can find the appropriate treatment for her condition.

If you believe your dog has allergies then schedule a vet appointment. You vet can examine her and then recommend the best course of treatment.

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Have you been asking yourself whether or not you need to put your dog on a diet?

The answer to that all too important question is…

As long as your veterinarian recommends it. Just as you are always told to seek the advice of your health care professional before attempting any type of diet, the same principle should apply to your dog. You cannot follow a proper diet while making sure your dog continues to get all the required nutrients without consulting with your vet.

Remember that your vet is an expert in the area of dog nutrition as well and has many special diets at their disposal. There are special diets for the dog with heart trouble, one with kidney disease, and of course one for overweight dogs. They also have access to prescription diet foods for puppies, for pregnant dogs, dogs with allergies, and dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Special diets come in all different varieties. There are both dry and canned diet foods for dogs. The canned variety comes in various sizes to meet the needs of different dogs, from the smallest to the largest.

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You may not really think about it but your dog can suffer from stress, just like you.

Of course the same kind of things won’t be the cause of her stress, such as paying the bills or getting to work on time, but it is certainly very real to your dog. Stress can cause a whole host of problems for your dog. As a responsible pet owner, it is a good idea to know how to recognize the signs of stress and what to do about it.

The signs and symptoms of stress can vary a great deal in dogs. It may seem that being a loved dog in the family is quite an easy life. You might think that dogs don’t have a thing to worry about. But that is just not the case.

Causes of Stress

Here is a look at some common causes of stress in your dog and how you can deal with it…

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Thousands of small, helpless little puppies are subjected to totally unnecessary surgery every year. This major surgery is often quite expensive, dangerous to some extent, uncomfortable and, painful while it is healing.

I am talking about ear cropping.

The practice of ear cropping was developed with good intentions, although its purpose was less than admirable. You see, ear cropping was originated centuries ago, when sports such as bull baiting were popular. The owners of the these fighting dogs realized that cropping a dog’s ears was somewhat better than having the ears torn to shreds during the fight. I guess it was the lesser of two evils.

Thankfully, the practical purpose for ear cropping a dog no longer exists. Why is then that we continue with this old and unnecessary tradition?

Is it because we believe that it looks appealing? Is it because we are already so used to see Boxers, Schnauzers, and Great Danes with their ears cropped? Or is it because the breed standards for some of these breeds call for their ears to be cropped, and so to comply with these standards breeders will go along with the practice?

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