Dog Skin Conditions – 5 Serious Skin Problems Your Dog Can Have.

dog cuddles with owner

Dog skin conditions, there are so many skin disease’s that this post could cover but it would have been very long. So I decided to pick 5 that I felt where important and also potentially more common than others.

This list is based on my knowledge and experience from working in a special interest small animal skin clinic as a veterinary nurse for the last 3-4 years now.

dog skin conditions

Dog Skin Conditions #1

Environmental Allergies

Environmental skin allergies, more common than most people think but when allergic to it the environment can cause your dog’s skin some serious grief.

You can see more details about this in my Environmental Allergies post here:
https://furfunme.com/fur-fun-with-pets/environmental-allergies-in-dogs/

how pets improve your mental health

Dog Skin Conditions #2

Fleas, Demodex, and mites.

A lot of owners are under the impression, that because they don’t see fleas on their dogs, they don’t have them or get exposed to them.

However, it’s something we see commonly in the skin clinic.

Its actually likely cheaper to just keep your dog protected rather than deal with a potential infestation, on your dog and in your home.

If your dog has the added fun of an allergy to them then the vet bills for dealing with skin flares will likely cost you more than the prevention treatments as well.

See my post here on Fleas and Why It Is So Important You Prevent Your Pet From Getting Them.

Lady Kissing dalmation

Dog Skin Conditions #3

Food Allergies

Less common than environmental allergies but still we see quite a few cases.

Dogs are more likely to be allergic to animal-based protein sources. So beef, chicken, pork, and dairy are common food allergens we see.

Grain allergies in dogs do exist but are uncommon, unfortunately, the “grain-free” fad has progressed from the human market to the animal one.

Owners are now commonly changing their dog’s diets over to grain-free in the hopes it will solve their dog skin problems. However as I said above they are uncommon, which is leaving owners frustrated.

You can see more details here in my Food Allergy and Food Elimination trial post

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Dog Skin Conditions #4

Thyroid – Hypothyroidism

An internal medicine condition called “hypothyroidism” can cause serious skin flares and reactions.

The thyroid when under active producing low amounts of “thyroxine”, can cause all sorts of grief.

Its actually more common than you think and not only does it cause weight gain, but skin problems are another common symptom.

Dogs are often not pruritic (itchy) but display hair thinning and loss. Redness and rashes are common also, but again not being itchy can be a telltale sign.

Luckily some simple diagnostic work by your vet can find out if this is the issue and it is very treatable/manageable with medication.

dog hug

Dog Skin Conditions #5

Dry Skin And Skin Infections Caused By Excessive Grooming.

Not a condition as such I know but I couldn’t leave this one out.

It is possible for owners to cause dog skin problems by over-grooming them.

Human products are too strong but commonly used, owners often wash dog far to frequently. washing away precious oils and skin barrier protections, and therefore leaving the skin dry, irritated and vulnerable to infections.

See this post for more detailed Information, Why Owners Should Wash Thir Dogs Less.

That’s it 5 Dog Skin Conditions. do you have a dog with one of these conditions?
Check out my post here on Tips To Manage A Dog Skin Problem.

As always thanks for reading.

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What skin conditions can dogs get?

There are many but for example, Environmental allergies, Food Allergies, Fleas, Demodex, Mites, Hypothyroidism, and over grooming can all cause skin problems.

How can I treat my dogs skin problems?

First find the cause of the skin problem. Then you and you vet can discuss potential treatments and management plans.

What can cause skin irritation on dogs?

Fleas, Mites and Over-grooming. Are common ways to irritate a dogs skin.

What can I put on my dog’s irritated skin?

It is best not to try home remedies. Take your dog to your vet and make a start on finding the cause of the skin irritation. From their potential treatments and managements can be discussed.

Tips To Manage A Dog With Skin Problems.

Boxer dog

So you have a dog with skin problems? whether its chronic, seasonal, or random.
I have 5 tips on how you can better manage your dog with skin problems.

dog with skin problems

Dog with skin problems? 5 tips to manage it long term.

#1 – Wash Them Less.

That’s right washing less is better especially a dog with skin problems?
Why do you ask?

Well, washing with soaps and shampoos actually strips away important oils from the skin, leaving the skin barrier even more vulnerable.

Skin conditions like Atopy (Environmental Allergies) target the skin barrier trying to break it down and cause problems. So for a dog with skin problems, any way you can help their skin barrier function better will go a long way.

See my post on why washing your dog less is better here.

Lady Kissing dalmation

#2 – Feed Them Well.

A dog with skin problems needs a good diet. The skin needs feeding and it needs to be good nutrition.

Certain diets have been designed to feed the skin barrier and help keep it as strong as possible.

Also sticking with diets that have low combinations of protein sources is good.
If a food allergy is a potential issue in your pooch, they will most likely be allergic to a meat protein source. So keeping the number of meat sources low is always a good idea.

My recommendation would be Royal Canin Skin Support, it is designed to feed the skin barrier and the protein sources are lower than most other pet foods.

If you are worried about food allergies in your dogs or want to learn more see my post here.

Also see my post on common misleading information about veterinary recommended dry foods.

Lady holding a dachshund

#3 Find The Cause!

This is almost the most important. FIND THE CAUSE of a dogs skin problems.

Don’t waste time trying this and that remedy. Go and see your vet. Make a start on finding out what is causing your dog’s skin problems.

Is it a food allergy? is it the environment? Is it a medical condition? If you don’t go looking you’ll forever be in the dark and dealing with skin flares and problems.

Clearing up infections and placing them on management medication is great for temporary relief but finding the cause means you can manage or potentially fix their skin issue.

See the first post I wrote about skin problems in dogs and where I started what I now call the problem skin journey.

hands and a paw

#4 Keep Them Protected Against Fleas And Mites.

Regular prevention and keeping your pet parasite-free is cheaper than a vet looking for them and when you have to deal with an infestation.

A dog that has an allergy to fleas doesn’t need much exposure to cause a skin flare.

“So even if your dog has never had fleas” Just because you haven’t seen them on their skin doesn’t mean they haven’t been exposed to them in the environment.

Always use a veterinary recommended product, most OTC products from general stores just don’t cut the mustered unfortunately, especially for a dog with skin problems.

See my more detailed post on why flea prevention is so important especially for a dog with skin problems.

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#5 Be Wary Of Dr. Google

Last but not least, now I know google is probably how you found me haha so this is strange to write.

Anyway, the reason I started this blog was that so many owners and patients we see have read false and misleading information online, this has then delayed them from going to see there vet.

Always see your vet and trust their advice they trained for 5 years minimum and probably have a huge student loan hanging over their head.

You can always use Google to find your local small animal skin clinic, there are vets that solely train and deal with skin all day every day. Find them and get working on what the cause! of your dog’s skin problems are!

Take My Itchy Dog Skin Quiz
9 Questions To Help You Find The Cause Of Your Dogs Skin Problem.

In Conclusion

#1 Wash your dog less,
#2 Feed them good nutrition,
#3 Find the cause of your dogs skin problem,
#4 keep them protected against fleas and parasites.
#5 Please be wary of Dr.Google and see your vet first!

I hope you have found this helpful and it has inspired you to start finding the cause of your dog’s skin problem.

As always thanks for reading.

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Any likes, Comments, And Shares Go Along Way To Helping Other Owners So Thank You!

How do you treat a dog with skin problems?

First finding the cause of the issue is key. Skin is diverse and many skin conditions exist.
Finding which condition your dog has is important. Then treatments and management can be discussed.

What does dog dermatitis look like?

It presents as redness, rash, and scabs across the dogs body. It is often very itchy.

What is the best treatment for a dog with skin allergies?

Depending on which allergies it is. Food allergies once confirmed through a true food elimination trial can then be avoided.
Skin allergies to the environment – there is only one treatment immunotherapy. However there are many management medications available from your vet also.

Why My Dog Gets Itchy In Winter?? 5 Real Reason Why

dog winter

If you’ve read my Itchy skin posts or my environmental allergies post and your dog gets itchy in winter you might be wondering why?

Some “Winter Itch” posts you’ll read online will steer you away from environmental allergies.
However, this is misleading as yes it can indeed still be environmental even in the middle of winter.

It can also be a lot of things that have nothing to do with the environment. Which is also why finding the Cause of the itch is so important.

Take a look at my 5 “Real” reasons why your dog gets itchy in winter

My Dog Gets Itchy In Winter!

dog gets itchy in winter

Why am I writing this post?

So why have I decided to write this post, again I’ve read too many “Winter Itch” posts and how “dry skin is the problem” and then coconut oil will fix your dog’s skin problems.

Now I’m not coconut oil hater, I use it for myself and my children all the time, but I think we have to be realistic about its abilities to solve complex skin issues.

I think both veterinary workers, and owners wish it was that easy. Maybe for a select few, it will be but the majority are going to have something more complex than just ‘Dry Skin” going on.

dog laying down looking

5 Real Reasons Your Dog Gets Itchy In Winter

#1 Dust Mite Allergy

Your dog gets itchy in winter because they could have an environmental “Dust Mite” allergy.

Dust mites are microscopic and no matter how clean your home is you have them, yep literally everywhere. Carpets, mattresses, blankets, dog bedding, clothing, and more.

If your dog is allergic to dust mites, your dog gets itchier in winter and most likely has been itchy all year round.
However, winter is commonly worse for Dust mite allergy because everybody’s inside more.

# 2 Your Washing Your Dog Too Much

There inside more, getting muddy outside in the rain. Keeping your dog clean feels never ending in the winter.

However how much is too much? see how over-washing your dog can cause skin issues here

# 3 Fleas – Flea Allergy

Fleas can still cause issues in the winter.

Many owners are under the impression fleas go away completely during the winter and forget their pet’s regular preventative treatments. However, this isn’t true fleas can still infest your dog and home during the cooler temperatures.

Always keep your dog protected.

Flea allergy exists too, meaning your dog can also be allergic to fleas causing more drama. See my Flea Allergy Post Here

# 4 Your Dog Has A Food Allergy

Food allergies are always present, but with everyone inside more during winter snacking and cooking delicious meals. Its easy for the dog to get slipped something they wouldn’t normally have.

Food allergies are less common in dogs than environmental ones but when present and flaring they can be a real itchy issue.

If you suspect food allergy see my food allergy trial post here

# 5 Your Dog Is Allergic To You Or The Cat!

That’s right both you and the cat are also potential “environmental allergies”.
If your dog is atopic then these are not out of the question and in fact common.

Again during winter, the dog is inside more and in close proximity to the family more often, therefore if they have an allergy it can flare up or become worse in the winter.

Want more information on environmental allergies find it here in this post.

There we have it 5 real reasons your dog gets itchy in winter. I hope it’s given you some ideas or got you thinking about what the real problem might be.

There really are so many reasons why your dog can be itchy at any time of the year.

I hope this post inspires you to go looking for the Cause! of your dogs skin issues.

Why does my dog get itchy in the winter?

There are many possibilities, finding the cause of your dogs skin issue will not only help you manage it, but potentially prevent it all-together. Talk with your Vet about finding the cause.

How can I relieve my dogs itching?

Take your dog to the vet, they have many medications, and topical treatments to help your dogs itchy skin. Itchy skin can be managed while you look for whats causing it.

What is my dog allergic to in the winter?

Dust mite, Human Dander and Cats are common environmental allergies that cause winter flares. This is because pets are inside more and around these allergens more.

Chihuahua #5 Fun And Fascinating Facts – Chihuahua long hair and short-haired facts.

Chihuahua long hair

The Chihuahua has got to be one of the most popular and fascinating breeds. They come in different head shapes, colors, and hair lengths.
Chihuahua long hair and Chihuahua short hair are both similar in personality and size however they do have some differences.

See my facts below to find some fun and fascinating facts and some of the interesting differences between the short hair and chihuahua long hair.

adorable animal animal portrait breed 434046

Chihuahua long hair and short hair.

Other popular posts:
Homemade Dog Treats For Your Fur Baby
Best Dog Breed According To Your Zodiac Sign
2020’s Most Popular Dog Breeds

Fact #1

Chihuahua’s shrank over time! –
They weren’t always so small. Only when the Chinese decided to breed them with smaller breeds at the time like Chinese crested, was the small adorable Chihuahua created.

adorable animal canine chihuahua 191353

Fact #2

Chihuahuas have the biggest brains
Thats right in proportion to their bodies Chihuahuas have the largest brains of all breeds.
They are easily trained and incredibly witty.
Don’t let their small size fool you they are tiny genius’s.

Chihuahua hiding

Fact #3

Chihuahua long hairs shed less –
Believe it or not but the chihuahua long hair version of the breed actually sheds less than the short hair.
So like the idea of a chihuahua but want less tiny hairs? Perhaps a chihuahua long hair is for you.

Other popular posts:
Homemade Dog Treats For Your Fur Baby
Best Dog Breed According To Your Zodiac Sign
2020’s Most Popular Dog Breeds

Fact #4

A Stray Pack Of Chihuahua’s Took Over And Terrorized A Town In Arizona –

A small-town “Maryvale” had over 6000 reported calls to animal control.
Stray groups of Chihuahuas were teaming up and including larger breeds, harassing and cornering townspeople in their streets and homes.

The problem was believed to have stemmed because the stray chihuahua’s where not neutered and excessive breeding and fighting for mates was causing them to become more agitated and aggressive than usual.

Chihuahua Long hair

Fact #5

Chihuahuas are celebrated on Cinco De Mayo Day –

They are actually celebrated more in the US than in Mexico, but on this day the glorious chihuahua is commemorated by hosting annual chihuahua races and events. How cute right!

Chihuahua standing

I hope you found these interesting.
As always thanks for reading.

Other popular posts:
Homemade Dog Treats For Your Fur Baby
Best Dog Breed According To Your Zodiac Sign
2020’s Most Popular Dog Breeds

Are long haired Chihuahuas good pets?

Yes they are incredibly loyal to their owner. Although small chihuahua long hair’s are oozing personality.

Do long haired Chihuahuas need haircuts?

Very basic trimming is required of a Chihuahua long hair. Their coats are soft and require more brushing than haircuts. Tidying up straggly ends is all that is required on occasion.

How much is a long haired Chihuahua?

The average Chihuahua long hair costs anywhere from $600 – $1500 depending on their heritage.

Do long haired Chihuahuas bark a lot?

Yes all Chihuahuas bark, chihuahuas are fierce pack/family members and are especially vocal upon the arrival of new guests.

Boxer Dog Facts, 5 Interesting Facts, And Information On The Breed.

Boxer dog sitting

Basic Information on Boxer Dogs

Originating from Germany – Munich to be exact – A Boxer Dog is a medium to large breed. They are short-haired with a course tight-fitting coat.

Colour combinations are most commonly fawn, brindled, or white and with or without additional white markings.

The average weight for a boxer dog is:

Average Female Boxer Dog: 25-29kg
Average Male Boxer Dog: 27-32kg

Top Dog Breeds Of 2020

brown and black puppy in hammock blanket 3198032

Boxer Dog Facts #1

Boxers Have One Of The Largest/Widest Tongues of all Dog Breeds.

Currently, the world record is held by a St Bernard but boxers have and are right up there with the longest licks!!

Boxer dog facts

Boxer Dog Facts #2 –

The Oldest Boxer Dog To Live The Longest Was Called Macabee – She Was 16 Years 9 Months old.

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Boxer Dog Facts #3 –

Boxers Tied 43rd Place On The Global Canine Obedience/Intelligence Group – They Tied With A Great Dane.

However this was only decided on Obedience training statistics, so boxer owners can still claim their Boxer fur babies superior intelligence if they want = )

Boxer dog sitting

Boxer Dog facts #4

It Takes Boxers 3 Years To Fully Mature – Some Owners Claim They Never Really Grow Up.

They are considered one of the most playful Breeds.

Dog

Boxer Dog Facts #5

Cancer Is the Lead Cause Of Death In Boxer Dogs Leading At 44.8%

Next Is Complications Of The Heart.

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Characteristics Of A Boxer Dog:

Boxers are considered working dogs believe it or not!

One of the first breeds employed as a police dog, and they have been used as seeing-eye dogs.

They are also bred to be companions and guard dogs, best known for their loyalty to family and they are especially curious/fond of children.

What are boxers known for?

Their playful, youthful, sassy personality. Boxers have a lot of personality and character. They are adored by there owners and portray very amusing behaviors for their human owners.

Are boxer dogs dangerous?

Boxers are in the top 20 dangerous dogs. This is because they have a higher recorded rate of biting children than some other breeds.

Why do boxers like to sit on you?

Because Boxers tend to connect so deeply with there owners they want to be close.
Some are happy to sit next to you others need to be on you.

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Australian Shepherd Blue Merle Breed Information.

Australian Shepherd
australian shepherd blue merle

Often recognized for their striking appearance the Australian Shepherd Blue Merle is an intelligent medium breed sized dog.

This being said there is also an Australian Shepherd miniature size growing in popularity across the globe.

See the Top Breeds Of 2020

Australian Shepherd Blue Merle Basic Information

Australian shepherd blue Merle is a color combination of grey, black, white, and tan. It is this combination that makes them stand out from the crowd.

They are an extremely loyal, intelligent, and easily trained breed. Well suited for agility, obedience, and farm work.

Originating in the USA in the 19th century, the breed actually holds no origin connections to the country it is named after Australia.

Similar looking to border collies and other shepherd breeds, the Australian shepherd blue Merle is sure to stand out at the dog park.

Australian Shepherd blue Merle puppy

The Temperament Of An Australian Shepherd Blue Merle.

Australian Shepherd and Australian shepherd mix-breeds are highly active.
They require a lot of exercise throughout their younger years

Training and brain games are another way to keep them busy.

They are kind, loving, and dedicated to those they know well. This makes them a great family pet.

Great at thinking on their feet and often gentle with stock, they are typically used to work more uncommon livestock like ducks, geese, and farmed rabbits.

Australian Shepherd

The Health Of A Blue Merle Australian Shepherd.

Overall the breed is considered very healthy with few genetic conditions.
But like all breeds, the Australian shepherd blue merle has some health predispositions.

These include:
– Vision Problems are common.
– Puppies from two Blue Merle parents have increased risk to be blind and/or deaf.
Australian Shepherds are the most common dog to acquire epilepsy.

Australian Shephered Blue Merle Puppy being cuddled

Grooming Requirements Of A Australian Shepherd Blue Merle

Having a medium length, water-resistant and dense coat. This breed requires weekly brushing to keep mats at bay.

Aussie shepherds are a shedding dog. When dirty basic washing is required and not too often or skin drying and other skin irritating conditions and be triggered.

See what can happen when you over wash a dog.

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Interesting Facts About Australian Shepherd Blue Merle And An Australian Shepherd Mix

1. Some Australian shepherd’s are born with no or partially stubbed tails.

2. Double Merles or homozygous merle occurs when two merle parents are bred.

3. Double Merle puppies are often excessively white and have a hearing, vision, and other health problems resulting from the double Merle gene.

Common Questions About Australian Shepherd Blue Merle’s Answered:

How much do Blue Merle Australian Shepherds cost?

Average $600 – $1000.00 US.

What makes a Blue Merle Australian Shepherd?

They have a different genetic traits including the Merle gene, Their distinctive coat color combination makes them easily recognizable.

Do all Blue Merle Australian Shepherds have blue eyes?

No Not all have blue eyes.

Is an Australian shepherd a good family dog?

Yes they have and extremely loving and loyal temperament. They also have the energy to keep up with a young family.

Australian Shepherd Miniature Blue Merle Information.

Increasing in their popularity the “mini Aussie” is rather cute.

Basically a smaller version of the common Australian shepherd blue Merle.

Common Questions About Australian Shepherd Miniature Dogs.

Do mini Aussies shed a lot?

Yes, like their larger brothers and sisters miniature Australian shepherds have a thick double layer coat. Brushing twice a week will help with excessive shedding.

Do mini Australian shepherds like to cuddle?

Yes! Australian Shepherd as a breed although typically independent and hardworking. Still love cuddles, they are extremely loyal and dedicated to their families.

That’s the end of ‘ Australian Shepherd Blue Merle Information’.
I myself own an ‘Aussie’ and love him unconditionally.

As always thanks for reading.

Blogging – The Good, Bad And The Ugly Of Month 3!

Hello again, Here we are at month 3!
Find out how blogging on Facebook, SEO and Pinterest have been going.


If your yet to see my other months you can take a look here:

My first month of Blogging as a complete newbie.

Month #2 Blogging on WordPress

This last month has been absolutely nuts if I’m being frank. I have gone from such highs to confused lows.

Blogging on Facebook is still a bit of a mystery but I think I might finally be getting somewhere after extensive research, trials and errors.

blogging on facebook

The Good Of Month 3!

Let’s start with the good, my Pinterest traffic exploded! I had several pins go viral and I had over 1000 daily website visits from Pinterest alone for 2 weeks.

I thought id cracked it! it was glorious! I had comments, subscribers, and page views coming out my ears. So cool!

You can see what happened next in the ugly below = ( Sigh!

Continuing with the good I have tripled my income to $3.00 whoop whoop haha. Got to celebrate the milestones.

I have improved my writing skills massively – Admittedly they still need work but improvements good.

Blogging on Facebook – I’m finally getting somewhere, post likes and page followers are increasing which is nice.

I’m helping a lot of owners now which is very exciting, my traffic surge meant that I was helping so many owners and their fur babies. This is my highlight and why I started all this in the first place so yay!

Environmental allergies in dogs

The Bad And Ugly

Lets get these both done together = (

Although I’m waiting for confirmation, I’m pretty sure Pinterest has marked me and some of my posts as SPAM!

I went from thousands of impressions a day to less than 100! within a few hours.

I lost pretty much all my Pinterest traffic, which as you can imagine going from a 1000 daily to 30-50 has been hard to swallow.

I have contacted Pinterest support to find out what I did wrong and if I can fix it. I will update you next month on what happens. Wish me luck!

Blogging on Facebook

I know this was in the good but its also in the bad.

I’ve put a lot of work in with not much action in return. it’s getting there but it is very slow! going.

I even struggle to get the family engaged in my content which doesn’t spell good news. If I can’t even get them to take a look perhaps that’s saying something… Trying not to over-think as I have has some fantastic feedback.

I still enjoy all the funny animal memes however, its a lot of fun finding them and hoping people giggle as much as I do.

SEO

I have been working pretty hard on this again with not much action.

I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong but I’m ranking for things I didn’t even try to rank for? and not what I did try to.

So confusing but I will persevere perhaps it just takes time and more content – That’s what I’m hoping anyway.

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Well another month gone, I’m still here and ill be back in another month to give you all my blogging journey update.

Despite the frustrations the highs make it all worth it. Im surprised how much i enjoy all of this and wish id done it sooner.

Also wish id paid more attention in IT class and perhaps taken a course in website coding as that would be so handy right now.

As always, Thanks for reading.

See my latest posts, and sign up for post reminders below.

Also, leave me comments, all feedback is welcome and I love to know what you think it all helps me grow.

Can you write a blog on Facebook?

Physically not really, but you can upload your posts and content.

How do I start a blog on Facebook?

1. Create a public figure, or community Facebook page.
2. Choose blogger as your category
3. Connect your blog to the page.
4. Post your content to the page and invite people to your page to view it.

Should I blog on Facebook?

Facebook is a great tool for driving traffic to your website over time. You will need to put work and regular effort in to reep the rewards.

Fleas and Why It Is So Important You Prevent Your Pet From Getting Them.

Cat Fleas
Fleas on humans

Fleas, why do you need to prevent your pet from getting them? Also fleas on humans? Is it possible?
Well, let’s go over why it is! So important to prevent fleas.

This post is part of my ‘Itchy Skin’ series so I will also explain how fleas can cause severe skin issues in some animals.

If you haven’t seen my ‘Itchy Skin’ posts you can find them here:

The start of the “Itchy Dog” Journey

Environmental allergies in pets

Food allergy and elimination trials in dogs

How over- washing your dog can cause skin issues.


So fleas what are they?

Small flightless insects that survive as external parasites on your pet.

Fleas live by consuming blood, from their hosts.

Cute Rabbit

Fleas On Humans

Fleas on humans? is it possible? Well yes, it is.

However “fleas on humans” doesn’t mean they are living on humans

The type of fleas your pet gets can indeed land and bite humans, but humans can not host them.
This is due to our lack of hair.

Different types of fleas exist and I can’t cover them all in one post If you are concerned about Human Fleas check out this post here

How Does My Pet Get Fleas

The most common way is the environment. More likely from another animal they meet or have played with.

Fleas can jump from one host to another so it is easy for them to pick them up from somewhere like the dog park.

Dog feet

Why Is It Better To Prevent Fleas?

Prevention is best when it comes to fleas. Yet it is a struggle to get owners to comply with regular prevention treatments.


Flea treatments can be costly but nowhere near as costly as an infestation in your home.

Once a flea has landed on an animal it takes mere hours, for them to establish themselves (Lay eggs), feed, and start to breed.

Within 24 hours, your pet has established them into their and your environment.

So, the couch they lie on, the bed they sleep in, carpets they walk over and any other pets they come into contact with. Are now infested also.

Eggs and larvae will settle themselves into your household. Furnishings and carpets are infested as they begin to breed and feed on any available host.

Other pets in the household, will now also be hosting and contributing to the infestation around the home.

This is why simple prevention is better than the risk of an established infestation in your home.

Women massaging dogs skin

How does this relate to my dog’s itchy skin?

So how does all this tie into my “Itchy Skin” Journey? If your not familiar with the multiple skin-related posts I have been releasing you can find them here:

The start of the “Itchy Dog” Journey

Environmental allergies in pets

Food allergy and elimination trials in dogs

How over- washing your dog can cause skin issues.

Flea Allergy’s

Flea allergy or Flea allergy dermatitis is the added fun when your animal is also allergic to fleas. Their saliva to be exact.

An allergy to fleas causes a more extreme reaction to them.

Extreme itchiness, rash, hair loss, skin infections, and more.

If your dog has been continuously itchy and suffering from skin issues. Fleas allergy should be investigated.

Even if you can’t find any fleas on your pet. It doesn’t take a lot for them to get exposed and a reaction to start.

Again your vet needs to be involved in figuring out if this is the cause of your dog’s skin issue.

However, simply preventing the fleas from your pet is often a way to figure out if its the cause of there itchy skin.

You keep them protected against fleas and the skin issues go away. Boom! diagnosis and treatment all in one!

How Can You Prevent A Flea Infestation?

So, how do you stop this from happening or stop your dog from having allergic reactions to them?

You can’t stop fleas or allergic reactions but you can stop them from living on your dog!

Veterinary recommended flea treatments are the best. Often over the counter options available at your general store are not strong enough and often don’t last as long as they claim.

In my experience, Bravecto is number 1. It covers not only fleas but all common external parasites that can lead to skin issues in your pet.

It is also one of the most cost-effective for what you get.
It is available in both a 3-month tablet and a 6-month spot-on treatment.

I recommended the 3-month tablet option as it has a proven (Studied/science-based evidence) claim for mites. The spot-on as far as I know does not have this yet.

At least for the first few treatments, the chew is what I would recommend, then you could move to the spot-on for convenience after you have ruled out other parasites like mites as well.

In Conclusion

Fleas on humans – Fleas can bite humans and breed in their environment. It is uncommon for humans to host fleas due to our lack of hair.

It is best to prevent and avoid a flea infestation in your home.

Prevention against fleas is a common way to treat and diagnose if your pet is allergic to fleas.

My number 1 recommendation is bravecto for flea prevention.

But please always consider Veterinary recommended flea treatments. General flea treatments available at general stores just don’t cut the mustard, in my opinion.

As always, thanks for reading.

What does a flea bite on a human look like?

Very similar to a mosquito bite.

Can fleas live in your bed?

Fleas themselves don’t live in your bed no. However there eggs and larvae do. They then hatch, grow, and find a host.

What do fleas hate?

Bravecto and other products designed to kill fleas.

Dog Food Advisor – 5 Myths About Veterinary Recommended Dry Dog Foods Busted!!!

dog food
dog eating dry food

Dry dog food is amazing stuff so much science and convenience all wrapped into one.
“Dog Food Advisor – 5 Myths Busted’

However, people are always keen to create stigmas around feeding dry.
Well I’m here to advise you that many so-called “facts” are indeed “myths”.

Feeding dog biscuits

Vets are your best Dog Food Advisor’s. There is a reason why most of them recommend science-based dry dog food.

1. Lets Bust The First Myth

“Corn is a cheap filler and isn’t good for your dog”

Wrong! Corn is bioavailable for dogs and has many nutritional benefits! The fact that it’s easily sourced is not why it is in dry dog foods.

Bioavailable – means your dog can digest it and absorb the nutrients. Some foods are not bioavailable to dogs. This means they pass through and are not absorbed.

Corn contains:
Protein
Carbohydrates
Fiber
Vitamins
Fats.
This makes it an excellent choice.

Dog with Glasses on

Dog Food Advisor Fun Fact.

Did you know Flaxseed oil and Turmeric are not bioavailable to dogs!?

Many articles you read online will recommend these products as holistic alternatives. However, they can’t even absorb it. They just poop it right back out!

Tumeric is good stuff and when mixed with other ingredients like pepper and fats. It can then become, bioavailable for dogs.

It is science-based dog food companies that do this research and provide this for you. Which is another reason why we recommend them for your dog.


Dog Food Advisor – 5 Myths Busted!

2. Vets only promote dry food because they make heaps of money out of it’

If you think vets make heaps of money out of selling you dry food you are wrong!

Most clinics I have worked in only have a 20-30% mark up on dog food. Which isn’t a lot when compared with “dog toys” a typical mark up on toys being 100% in my experience.

So no vets aren’t getting rich from you buying dry dog food, Someone probably is but its not Vets, they truly promote it because of its science-based and a balanced diet for your dog.

close up photo of dog wearing sunglasses 1629781

3. Grain-free Is Better For Your Dog Because Grains Are Bad.

Lets Bust This.

Wrong again! in fact, some recent studies show potential links between grain-free diets and heart disease. Dogs need grains they are nutritionally beneficial for them! Grain allergies are uncommon in dogs.

Grain-free diets are great if you’re dog actually has a grain allergy, but until proven through a true food elimination trial, there is no need to take your dog off grains.

I go into more detail on this in my Food allergy post:
https://furfunme.com/fur-fun-with-pets/food-allergy-trial/

4. Feeding A Raw Or Grain-free Diet Will Fix Your Dogs Skin Issue.

Ok now, this one can be a heated subject as raw feeders, in particular, are very passionate advocates of it. But if your raw feeding, try to keep reading before you write me off.

I’m not a raw feed hater. But the facts and science are against it and so I admit I struggle to be an advocate for it.

It is just the way it is sorry until science proves to me it is better, it will be my opinion.

However, what does frustrate me is this belief that swapping your dog to a raw or grain-free diet will fix all their skin issues.

Some get lucky and the dog actually did have a grain allergy and by swapping to raw or grain-free the skin did in fact get better. But this is luck not a magical cure for everyone.

I work in a special interest small animal skin clinic. I have to have these conversations, often multiple times a day with very upset and confused owners. They want to understand why raw or grain feeding hasn’t fixed their dog.

Let me explain…

Your dog’s skin issues *if its food allergy* will most likely be caused by an animal-based protein source.

So feeding raw or grain-free is not likely going to help the majority of food allergic dogs.

I‘m not saying grain allergies don’t exist in dogs, but they are uncommon.

Owners are better to perform a true food elimination trial, actually, find/confirm the allergy, then change their dog’s diet appropriately.

In-fact the best thing you could do for your skin dog is to go and see your vet! Make a start on finding the cause as food allergies, in general, are less common than environmental ones.

You can see more detail about food allergy and elimination trials here in this post:
https://furfunme.com/fur-fun-with-pets/food-allergy-trial/

See my post on itchy skin and start the process of finding the cause of your dog’s skin issues:
https://furfunme.com/fur-fun-with-pets/dog-is-itchy-all-the-time/


Dog Eating from food bowl

5. Whole/Real Meat Is Better Than Meat Meal Or Meat By-Products

Being a dog food advisor let me explain.

Meat meal is just whole meat with the water removed. So no, it’s not a con, in fact, it is better, you are not paying for water.

Meat by-products are organs like the liver. They are nutrient-rich ingredients that your dog benefits from.

So there we have it 5 myths busted. I hope you found it interesting.

As always thanks for reading.

Check out my other posts and sign up for my post-release reminders below:


Environmental Allergies In Dogs. How They Cause Itchy Skin and what you should be doing.

Environmental allergies in dogs/pets. Another big one for me to cover in this skin journey we are all on. Thank you for joining the ride and I hope you’re finding all this useful!

The world of skin is so diverse, there truly are so many reasons your dog can be itchy and this is just another one.

So let us go over the What, How and Then what to do about your dog’s potential environmental allergies.

Environmental allergies in dogs

The What!



What are environmental allergies in dogs? Well they are just that an allergy to ones environment.

Humans get them too and we often refer to them as hayfever.

Dogs generally develop allergies in their first year of life. However, it is important to note they can develop an environmental allergy at any time.

I know how annoying!! I’m there with you and I wish it was different but life is life. You and your dog have my empathy.

Dog’s display different symptoms of environmental allergies compared with humans. Often becoming itchy, rashy, suffering ear infections and even scratching themselves raw!

Don’t worry there is hope, if you’re suspecting environmental allergies in your dog. We can get to the bottom of this and either manage or fix it!!

Golden Retriever

So What Are The Types Of Environmental Allergies My Dog Can Get?

So what are the different types of environmental allergens?

Well, there are a lot!
I will give you some examples of environmental allergies:


Trees – Yep all the individual types too.
Grasses – there are many varieties of grasses too.
Weeds – all of them too
Dust Mites – The microscopic mite that lives in your house no matter how clean you are.
Yeast – Grows on a dogs skin.
Human Dander – Yep your dog can be allergic to you!
Cats – and the cat too!
Fleas – The best way to avoid this, is to prevent it by using good flea protection!

Need I go on, please also bear in mind your dog can have multiple allergies. More often than not, they are allergic to many environmental allergens.

Dalmatian hug



The How

How does my dog develop an environmental allergy?

Well Environmental allergies in dogs are basically an allergic reaction or hypersensitivity.

Often developed in the first year of a dog’s life as they go through all four seasons for the first time.

An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system overreacts to a harmless substance known as an allergen. The immune system protects the body from infections, viruses and diseases.

An allergic reaction occurs when cells in the immune system interpret a foreign substance or allergen as harmful. The immune system overreacts to these allergens and produces histamine, which is a chemical that causes allergy symptoms.

And that is how an allergy is formed!

Dog

What to do about it.

Surprise! again! Talk to your vet!

There are many options for environmental allergies ranging from steroid treatment to the gold standard methods. All of these can be discussed with your vet.

What is considered gold standard treatment for environmental allergies in dogs?

Intradermal skin testing followed by Immunotherapy.
This is also used in human medicine.

This is also the only known treatment for environmental allergies.

All other methods are just suppressing/masking the symptoms of the allergies. Not fixing the cause.

What is intradermal skin testing?

Intradermal skin testing is a method to help determine whether an individual is allergic to a specific allergen. The test involves injections of small amounts of a range of suspected allergens.

The injections are placed under the surface of the skin. While the animal is sedated.

What is Immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is also known as desensitization or an allergy vaccination.

It works by gradually exposing the bodies immune system to different levels of the confirmed allergen. This is done through a series of injections given to the dog subcutaneously.

This is all done in the hope to permanently reduce or stop the immune systems response to the allergen/s.

Results vary sometimes animals are cured completely, and other times it only reduces the severity of the allergic reactions. A small percentage of animal won’t respond at all to immunotherapy.

But as I said earlier it is the only chance at a cure we currently have available for environmental allergies. So it is defiantly worth a go. In my experience results are often good.

If immunotherapy is not an option as I said earlier there are many drug options for suppressing the symptoms of environmental allergies in dogs. So don’t panic talk with your vet about all the options.

In Conclusion.

Environmental allergies in dogs are basically an allergic reaction or hypersensitivity.

Often developed in the first year of life, but can happen later in a dog’s life stage too.

An allergic reaction occurs when cells in the immune system interpret a foreign substance or allergen as harmful. The immune system overreacts to these allergens and produces histamine.

Intradermal skin testing followed by Immunotherapy is considered the only and gold standard treatment for environmental allergies in dogs.

If you suspect environmental allergies in your dog talk to you vet asap about your options.

As always thanks for reading.

Make sure to check out my other skin related posts :

My Pets Itchy skin:
https://furfunme.com/fur-fun-with-pets/dog-is-itchy-all-the-time/

Food Allergies in dogs:
https://furfunme.com/fur-fun-with-pets/food-allergy-trial/

How do you treat environmental allergies in dogs?

Intradermal skin testing followed by Immunotherapy is considered the only and gold standard treatment for environmental allergies in dogs.

How can I help my dog with allergies?

If you suspect environmental allergies in your dog talk to you vet asap about your options.

What are the environmental allergies?

Trees – Yep all the individual types too.
Grasses – there are many varieties of grasses too.
Weeds – all of them too
Dust Mites – The microscopic mite that lives in your house no matter how clean you are.
Yeast – Grows on a dogs skin.
Human Dander – Yep your dog can be allergic to you!
Cats – and the cat too!
Fleas – The best way to avoid this, is to prevent it by using good flea protection!

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I try to do a skin post once a week until I feel I have fully covered skin issues in dogs the way I would like.