Your Dog’s Food And Water Bowl And Facial Allergies
Like humans, dogs can suffer from skin allergies as well. In fact, you might think that when a dog scratches a lot that he or she is just being a dog, or that fleas have decided to make your furry friend their home. While fleas are common in untreated dogs, if your dog is treated regularly, he or she may actually be suffering from an allergy, especially if the itching is occurring around the face.
How You Know You Dog Has a Facial Allergy
It’s easy to overlook facial allergies since the symptoms may be slight at first. However, if you notice redness and swelling on or around the face, your dog probably has a facial allergy.
The itchiness from an allergy can lead to your dog being extremely irritated. You may notice that it scratches its eyes and face repeatedly, uses a rug or the carpet as a scratching device, or constantly wants you to help scratch his or her face. If you detect this behavior, alleviate the symptoms with antibiotic ointment, and prevent the allergies from reoccurring.
Replace the Food and Water Bowls
A common way that dogs pick up facial allergies is through their food or water bowls. Most dog owners enjoy the convenience and price of a plastic bowl. Unfortunately, plastic bowls are often a breeding ground for bacteria and other allergens causing the reaction on your dogs face. If the bowls get scratched, more bacteria settle into those scratches, making matters worse.
Get rid of those old plastic bowls and purchase ones made of metal or glass. These surfaces are more hypoallergenic than plastic. Check your dog’s face about a week later to see if the condition is improving.
Wash the Bowls Once a Week
Even with new bowls, bacteria can still reside inside your dog’s feeding dishes. It is important to wash the bowls at least once a week. Scrub both the food and water bowls with liquid dish soap and hot water to kill bacteria. Rinse the bowl repeatedly to remove any soapy residue. If you prefer, throw the bowls into the dishwasher to obtain a cleaner surface and sanitization.
Expect this process to clear up your dog’s facial allergies fairly quickly. However, keep an eye on you dog to determine whether or not your efforts have worked. If after about a week or so your dog is still scratching his or her face frequently, make an appointment with the vet so they can look for other causes, since the food and water bowl may not be the only cause of the symptoms.
For professional veterinary care, contact an office such as All Care Pet Hospital of Harbour Point.
