Allergies to dogs, just like allergies to people, can be prevented by keeping your dog clean. A clean house will also reduce the exposure that the dog has to different allergens that can cause an allergic reaction. Different allergens come from different types of foods and other substances that can be found in a home.
Some common allergic reactions to dogs include runny nose, nasal congestion, hives, coughing, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, swelling of the face or lips, eyes that tear up easily and headaches. These symptoms are caused by the body's response to foreign materials or allergens. Dogs can get these allergies from a number of different things. Pollens from grasses and trees are the most likely culprits that can cause allergies. Other factors can be exposure to fleas or ticks.
If you notice any kind of allergic reaction to a pet, then you should look at the breed of the dog and the common allergens that they are more prone to. You can talk to a veterinarian about the allergies that particular breed is more likely to have. For hypoallergenic breeds, this isn't much of a concern because hypoallergenic breeds don't have as many distinct allergies to deal with. Hypoallergenic breeds are less likely to suffer from a serious condition such as death caused from the allergies.
When looking at the types of allergies to dogs that cats can have, you need to consider their environment and how they are exposed to it. The typical cat is kept indoors, so they are rarely exposed to much activity outside of their litter box. The outdoors can come into play here. They might be exposed to grasses or weeds, which are all natural elements, but can still be dangerous. When cats are outside, they might be exposed to more elements, especially if they are traveling in a car. A lot of pollen and other allergens get into the air through wind and other natural sources.
Dogs that have allergies to cats will often have itchy eyes and sneezing in the winter. This is usually accompanied by a runny nose and coughing. These symptoms are very seasonal and are the result of the body's reaction to cold weather. The allergies can be an uncomfortable nuisance for the dog, but it is not life threatening.
Allergies to dogs that are seasonal can be caused by exposure to pollen and other allergens. Spring, fall, and summer are the most common times for this type of allergic reaction to felines. It is important to remember that the seasons can affect allergies in different ways, though. It can be more difficult to pinpoint the allergens that cause your pet's allergies to change.
A more common cause of allergies to dogs include histamine sensitivity and mast cell reactivity. They are both caused by the release of histamine when an allergen is present. When an allergen is present, histamine is released to fight it off. Sometimes, the allergens can build up to a point where they are much too large to be defeated by histamine. At that point, the body releases the histamine to battle the problem, causing the symptoms of a runny nose, red eyes, and itching all over the body.
Allergens to cats can be difficult to pinpoint because the symptoms can occur at any time, even when the cat is indoors. Because of this, allergies to dogs are relatively easy to diagnose. If the dog is indoors most of the time, the vet can do a simple blood test to determine whether the dog has seasonal or allergen sensitization. If the test comes out positive, then you know that your cat or dog has allergies to cats, and you should avoid them. However, if the test comes out negative, then you know that your pet has seasonal or mastiff allergies, and you can simply take the dog to the vet to have him/her checked out again.