Allergies in dogs are very common and may be indicated by different symptoms. Your pet’s behavior may also indicate the fact that the dog has allergies. If you notice a suite of behavioral changes and a few symptoms, you should consult a vet to see if your pet is affected by allergies.
Excessive Scratching
An allergic dog will have itchy skin, as the allergens penetrate the skin and will make the dog scratch fervently. The dog may scratch more than usual and he may also cause wounds and bleeding, which may lead to secondary infections.
The obsessive scratching can cause hair loss.
Licking or Biting of Paws
The dog may have itchy paws and the itchiness may also be caused by the presence of fleas, which are parasites that can cause allergies.
The dog will be licking and biting his paws to alleviate the itchiness. This may turn into an obsessive behavior and the dog may experience hair loss on the paws. The hair loss may be partial or complete.
Pawing of Face
The face of an allergic dog may get swollen and irritated and the dog will be pawing his face to relieve the discomfort.
Seeking Cool Places
Due to the extreme itchiness that may be felt on almost all areas of the body the dog will be seeking cool places such as bathroom tiles to relieve the discomfort. Cold things can bring temporary itchiness relief.
Aggressiveness
Due to the fact that allergies cause a lot of discomfort, your dog’s behavior will change. The joyous creature may turn into an irritable, aggressive pet that reacts negatively even when you are trying to pat him.
Typically, a change in the behavior and unexplained aggressiveness are warning signs that your pet is ill. The cause may be a wide range of problems including allergies.
Lethargy
Due to the fact that the allergies will weaken the dog, he will be lethargic and less involved in activities that he usually likes.
This symptom may point to a number of other diseases but if you notice other symptoms pointing to allergies, the lethargy is most likely caused by a weakened immune system.
Lack of Appetite
If the dog is affected by allergies, he may not have a normal appetite and will refuse to eat. This behavior may persist for several days or until the allergies are dealt with.
Additional Symptoms
You should also watch out for a few possible symptoms of allergies including the watery eyes, dry and flaky skin, breathing difficulties, facial swelling, swelling of the limbs as well as nasal discharges.
If you notice behavior changes and some allergy symptoms, you should get your pet tested. Consult the vet for a clear diagnosis. It is important to identify the allergen and reduce your pet’s exposure to this agent and also administer medication to control the allergies. Otherwise the behavioral problems can become more serious and the dog’s condition can get worse.