Enter a keyword below to search for articles and products.
The human animal isn’t the only one affected by allergies. Like you, your adult dog can suffer from allergic reactions to any number of things—in the air, on his skin, and in his food. Allergies must be diagnosed and treated by your veterinarian, but first, you must know what to look for.
The most common signs and symptoms of allergies include:
The most common allergy symptoms in dogs are the skin reactions, regardless of the cause. And they can they can crop up at any age. Just because he didn’t have allergies as a puppy, doesn’t mean your dog won’t have them now that he’s an adult. Inhalant, food, contact, and flea allergies are four of the most common types of allergies that might affect your dog.
Inhalant allergies in dogs are caused by the same common allergens that affect you—dust, grass, trees, mold, pollen, ragweed, etc. They can be seasonal or persistent and, while some breeds (especially short-snouted breeds) might experience the same sniffly, sneezy symptoms you might suffer, skin reactions are most common. Inhalant allergies often can be treated with the same medications you take, but please don’t treat your dog’s allergies without veterinary supervision.
Food allergies can be the most difficult to diagnose and manage. Treatment involves a hit-and-miss approach involving a restricted diet and the gradual reintroduction of possible allergens to determine the culprit. Skin reactions to food allergies are common in dogs, but frequent vomiting or diarrhea also can be a sign. Keep in mind that if there is a change in your dog’s diet (or he just ate something he wasn’t supposed to), he might experience an episode of vomiting or diarrhea, but this doesn’t necessarily mean your dog has an allergy. Watch and see if it becomes a persistent problem before scheduling a costly trip to the vet.
Contact and flea allergies generally cause skin irritation and are treated topically. You might be surprised to learn that most dogs are only vaguely bothered by fleas. But those that are allergic can suffer—and so can their owners. Dogs with contact and flea allergies often chew their skin raw, leading to hair loss, odor, and infection, so fastidious flea control is a must.
Allergies can vary from dog to dog, so it is important that you work with your vet to make sure your dog gets the best possible treatment. You’ll both be happier for it.
Obesity in dogs is a more common problem than you might think. Between 25% and 40% of dogs are overweight, but often, owners don’t realize it until they take their dog to the veterinarian for another reason. Yet even vets can’t tell if a dog is obese by their weight alone. Ideal weight varies by breed, and quite widely within breeds.(Did you know, for instance, that Labrador retrievers, dachshunds and beagles areall prone to obesity?) In short, there’s no ideal healthy weight chart for all dogs!
The good news is that if your dog is overweight, there are a number of ways to help them reach a healthy weight. Don’t underestimate the power of daily walks and a weight management dog diet — IAMS™ Adult Healthy Weight can help return your dog to a healthy weight, providing a path to help keep them fit for life.
Can you feel individual ribs easily? Is your dog’s abdomen slightly tucked up whenviewed from the side? That’s a sign your dog is at their ideal weight.
If you can't feel the ribs easily, your dog has no waist and their abdomen drags,your pup is carrying extra weight. Your veterinarian can help you further evaluateyour dog’s condition and determine their ideal weight.
Dogs gain weight for the same reason people do: They eat more calories than theyuse. Today’s dogs share another problem with their human parents: lack of activity.Many pet parents work all day and are too tired to play with their dog afterward.
Dogs’ metabolisms might slow as they age or after they’re spayed or neutered,which means they require less food. Another common reason for weight gain isfrequently eating high-calorie treats. Sometimes more than one family member isfeeding the dog, and the dog sure isn’t telling!
Other factors that could contribute to canine obesity include:
If you suspect that your dog is overweight or obese, the !rst step is to set up anappointment with your veterinarian so they can evaluate their condition. Likewise,before beginning any weight loss program with your dog, make sure to discuss itwith your vet.
If your dog is overweight, it’s time to implement a weight-management regimen. Ifyou usually feed one large meal a day or keep food available at all times, try adifferent dog-feeding schedule by dividing the daily ration into several small meals— at least two meals a day. It takes energy to digest food, and dividing your dog’sdaily ration into separate feedings will help. If your dog leaves any food in theirbowl, pick it up 30 minutes after each meal.
Your goal is to help your dog be healthier, so select their food carefully. Payattention to the ratio of fat, !ber, protein, carbohydrates and special ingredients inyour dog’s weight-management food:
After your dog reaches their ideal weight, select a maintenance food to keep theirweight steady.
Losing weight isn’t easy. Changing habits is the key. Here are some ways you can
help keep your dog on track:
A total weight-management program can lead to successful weight loss inoverweight or obese dogs. Remember: Your support is essential to your dog’sweight-control success.
