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What Are German Shepherds Allergic To

So Are German Shepherds Hypoallergenic

Why Is My German Shepherd Scratching So Much: Skin Issues That Plague GSDs

No, German Shepherds are not hypoallergenic.; German Shepherds shed year long, but twice a year they blow their coat and shed ever more heavily, which isnt good for people with pet allergies.

If dog fur and dander irritate you, then you may want to consider another dog breed that doesnt shed. ;If your allergies are not too severe you can try the tips below to reduce the allergens caused by GSD fur.

German Shepherd Dog Food Allergies

Did you know dogs can be allergic to certain foods?

To be clear, it is a certain protein in a particular ingredient some might be allergic to.

Food allergies are easy to treat! Once youve determined it is a food allergy, and not something else, your veterinarian will recommend a limited ingredient dog food. These foods only have a few ingredients, instead of many like normal dog foods.

If your dog still reacts, this means it must be one of those few ingredients causing the reaction.

Your veterinarian might then recommend a completely different food without those ingredients!

True food allergies result in an immune response, which can range in symptoms from skin conditions , gastrointestinal signs or a combination of both .

;What Foods are German Shepherds Allergic to?

Food allergies can impact any breed, and GSDs arent always going to be allergic to anything. The most common ingredients that cause food related allergic reactions in dogs are:

  • Beef

Are German Shepherds Allergic to Chicken?

Not necessarily. Not all GSDs are allergic to chicken.

If your GSD does have a food allergy, chicken is high up on the possibilities.

Worst: A German Shepherds Dry Skin Causes Excessive Pet Dander

Bathe and groom your dog regularly to minimize its danders effect on your allergy. But dont overdo it. Not washing your dog enough can lead to excess pet dander, but so can washing him too much. If your dog develops dry skin from too many baths, its apt to begin scratching, leaving dead skin cells lingering in the air. Some breeds, such as German shepherds, are more likely to develop dry skin than others.

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What Does An Allergy Mean For German Shepherd

An allergy is when the bodys immune system responds inappropriately to a substance, causing a reaction to something which normally would not pose a threat to the body.;;

The substances which trigger an allergic reaction in dogs include things such as different types of food, insect bites, medications, or environmental triggers such as dust or pollen.;

The allergic reaction to this substance can cause a wide range of symptoms which may affect different body systems including the skin, eyes, ears and digestive system.

Best: The Bichon Frise And Labradoodle Are Great Hypoallergenic Dogs

The Most Common German Shepherd Allergies: Causes ...

Both the labradoodle and the bichon frise are often recommended for people with dog allergies because of their easy-to-maintain coats. Labradoodles with wool-like hair may not pick up as many outdoor allergens as other breeds. The curly coat of a bichon frise;produces little dander, making it another great hypoallergenic dog.

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How To Prevent Allergies In German Shepherds

There are a wide variety of precautions that you can take that will help prevent your dog from catching allergies. Owning any pet means you are becoming a guardian and this is next to parenting, to stay on the safer side you should always read the ingredients label especially when trying new things.

If you notice that something has a high review line saying this specific item gave their dog allergies it doesnt matter if it was a poodle or pitbull, chances are that your German Shepherd could fall under the same category as well so you should stay away from that.

It is good to be aware of your environment, if you are a lover of plants you should try and section it off and try to make that specific area be off-limits for your GSD. They are a few plants as well that can cause an allergic reaction on your dog without you even realizing the matter.

Giving your German Shepherd oatmeal baths from time to time is a good thing as well. this will reduce the chances of contact allergies to the body. Even so, am sure on giving your dog baths youll get a chance to better notice the skin and fur texture and from that, youll know.

Try and avoid your dog from mingling with our dogs, if its not a dog from the same household then its not wise to let them play together, this goes out to all the dog breeds because GSD isnt really the mingle and playfully dog type with other dogs like that.

Symptomatic Treatment Of Allergies:

Symptomatic treatment is necessary when we cannot identify or remove the cause of the allergic response.; It may be that the dog is allergic to a type of foodstuff which is impossible to identify, or a type of pollen which we cannot stop the dog being exposed to.;

In these situations, your veterinarian may prescribe medication such as corticosteroids or antihistamines to limit the bodys overall allergic response.; As a German Shepherd owner, there are many other ways in which you can help your dog feel more comfortable by treating the symptoms they are suffering from.

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Most Common Types Of German Shepherd Allergies

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Allergies can sometimes be very serious and life-threatening for your German Shepherd dog and at the same time they can be not so serious, even so, all allergies are allergic reactions to proteins found in the skin cell, urine, or saliva.

In this article, we will be explaining the most common allergies that your German Shepherd can catch and ways to prevent and cure them. Some allergies are easy to get rid of while we have the harder ones that or most of the time being passed down through the dogs genetic lines.

What To Watch For

GSD Skin Condition Diagnosis by Dr Pam Wiltzius

Any abnormal symptom could be a sign of serious disease, or it could just be a minor or temporary problem. The important thing is to be able to tell when to seek veterinary help, and how urgently. Many diseases cause dogs to have a characteristic combination of symptoms, which together can be a clear signal that your German Shepherd Dog needs help.

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Complications Of Allergies In German Shepherds

Not only can allergies cause great discomfort to our German Shepherds, they can also result in medical complications that can impact their daily lives.

Some of the most common complications of allergies in German Shepherds include:

  • Skin infections
  • Wounds from excessive scratching or biting
  • Chronic upper respiratory symptoms
  • Eye infections and ulcers from pawing at their eyes
  • Fur loss
  • Vomiting

Secondary infections are one of the most common complications of allergies in German Shepherds.

Skin, ear, and eye infections can become serious if left untreated, making it so important to take the symptoms of allergies seriously when they are first noticed.

If you fear that your German Shepherd is having secondary complications from their allergies, its best to contact your veterinarian.;

Best: Schnauzers Produce Less Pet Dander

Eliminating or minimizing pet dander is an important step in creating a suitable environment for someone with a dog allergy. Vacuuming dander-trapping carpets daily can help keep allergen levels low. You might want to consider replacing rugs with hardwood, tile, or vinyl flooring to slash your list of chores. The schnauzer is known to produce less dander than other breeds, which would also make your daily cleaning easier.

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How To Choose A Dog Food For German Shepherds With Allergies

Once you realize your German Shepherd has skin allergies, its often difficult to narrow down the ingredient thats causing the reaction. A helpful tip to do is to write down all of the ingredients in your dogs current food and see if the dog food contains any common allergens.

The ingredients that German Shepherds are commonly allergic to include soy, wheat, chicken, gluten, grain, and soy. While these ingredients are often used in a variety of dry kibble dog food it doesnt mean your dog is allergic to all of the ingredients. Typically, a dog will only be allergic to one or two of these ingredients.

For example, your dog might be allergic to chicken. Many dog foods often include a small percentage of chicken, chicken meal, or chicken by-product. These products can cause allergic reactions in dogs that are allergic to chicken. However, this doesnt mean that your dog has to stay away from the grain, gluten, wheat, or soy unless they are allergic to those ingredients as well.

Discussing your dogs allergic reaction with a veterinarian is insightful and helpful. Some veterinarians can narrow down the ingredients causing the food allergy while at the same time offering a soothing and healing treatment for their skin. However, sometimes your German Shepherds are so tricky not even an experienced veterinarian can pinpoint the exact ingredient without using the trial and error method.

Giving This To Your German Shepherd Daily Could Help Alleviate Painful Skin Allergies

German Shepherd Allergies: What Is Your GSD Allergic To ...

If your german shepherd has allergies, you know how painful it can be. Not just for your pup, but for you as well. Its difficult to see your companion suffer through testing, pain and potentially life-threatening allergic reactions.

Determining what your dog is allergic to can be a long and difficult process, and some allergies may be mild and go undiagnosed. However, if your dog has severe or even moderate allergies, you know the challenges faced trying to keep your dog healthy and happy.

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Keep Them Clean Especially During Allergy Season And Winter

You can keep some allergies to grasses or other plants at bay by wiping your dogs paws when they return home.

You may also find wiping their bellies and legs with hypoallergenic wipes to help ease itching and scratching if theyre allergic to grass or pollen.

My German Shepherd itches and licks her paws a lot in spring because of grass and pollen allergies. So, Ive begun wiping her paws and stomach to help soothe her discomfort.

Use a brand that has ingredients to help with scratching and itching. You need a wipe with soothing ingredients found in them, such as Tropiclean Oxy Med Allergy Relief Wipes that give your dog clean skin to lessen irritations.

Wiping and washing help reduce allergens on your dogs body. You dont need a full bath to get rid of allergy-causing deposits, but you need to pay attention to their paws, belly, legs, and muzzle.

Are German Shepherds Hypoallergenic

German Shepherds are not hypoallergenic dogs. They have fur that easily sheds and can irritate dog allergies in people that interact with them. Depending on the severity of the allergy, this can become an issue for some families, but not for all.

If, like me, a German Shepherd is a dog that you want, and you have family members with allergies, there are still some things that you can do to making living with a beloved companion possible.

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What Causes An Upset Stomach In German Shepherds

When it comes to gastrointestinal upset in German Shepherds, there are many possible causes behind each stomach grumble.

Common factors of an upset stomach can lurk around each corner, making it so important to be aware of the possible risks.

So what causes an upset stomach in German Shepherds? Lets dive in!

Why Are German Shepherds Bad For Allergies

Dog Training & Care : Treating a German Shepherd With Dry, Itchy Skin

Believe it or not its isnt because of their fur. Lots of people assume its the dogs fur which causes allergies when in fact most allergic reactions are caused by dander .

German Shepherds naturally have dry skin which often causes excessive amount of dander. It is also common for people to be allergic to the proteins found in all dogs saliva, urine and sweat.

Although its not the fur itself which causes the allergies when a dog malts its fur it will carry some of the dander and proteins in it.

German Shepherds have a double coat which means they not only malt every day of the year, they also twice a year will shed their full undercoat . Their fur can also trap and carry other allergies such as pollen or dust.

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Canidae Grain Free Pure Dry Dog Food

Canidae makes a great dog food that is soy and grain free. It spots chicken as the major ingredient, but you can also buy more novel proteins such as bison and lamb.

Ensure you check the entire ingredients list because some foods have chicken meal as an ingredient.

To support the sensitive stomachs of dogs with allergies, this cheap dog food comes with just 10 ingredients. The base of the food is chickpeas and sweet potato.

It is rich in vitamins and fatty acids to support healthy skin and coat. It also has probiotics to support gastrointestinal function and heal the gut.

It is a dry dog food that is better for your dogs teeth. It is one of the few dry dog foods out there that offers probiotics as part of its ingredients.

Real protein sources are its three selling point alongside healthy veggies rounding out the mix.

If your GSD dog is allergic to chicken, check the complete ingredients list. Chicken meal is listed as an ingredient in some of the formulations. If your dog isnt allergic to chicken, this wont be an issue at all.

Otherwise, the limited nature of the ingredients will be a great alternative to other dog foods.

Its no wonder it is ranked #1 on our list of best dog food for German Shepherds with skin allergies.

Antibiotic Additives Get Passed Along To Your Dog

Because chicken is so popular and so plentiful and readily available, chicken companies want to breed as many chickens as they can as quickly as possible so they can make more sales.;

For this reason, chickens are often fed powerful antibiotics along with their feed. The antibiotics are given to try to prevent the chickens from developing any diseases as they grow up.;

But this also means that the resulting chicken meat or meal will contain traces of those antibiotics, as this recent research study explains.

Antibiotics, when used properly, can help the body recover from and fight off infection successfully. But antibiotics are not designed to be taken on a preventative basis because the body can build up a tolerance over time.

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How Fresh Food Can Help

With real ingredients, vital antioxidants, and well-preserved fats, a fresh food diet is one way to go with your German Shepherd, especially if he exhibits signs of allergies. Although commercial dry food is less expensive and has a longer shelf life, kibble does not provide the full range of vitamins and minerals that benefit your dogs health. Fresh food diets do not include artificial ingredients, fillers, or mysterious additives. Your German Shepherd is less likely to develop food allergies if he is eating the right diet.

The right fresh food diet will include fatty acids and minerals that work in conjunction to keep your dogs coat and skin healthy, fight inflammation from any allergen, and strengthen the immune system. In many cases, you can customize fresh food recipes so they are tailored to your dogs health.

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Tips On How To Live With A German Shepherd And Allergies

Before getting a German Shepherd, its good to know your allergy tolerance and to evaluate your lifestyle. German Shepherds are sometimes known as German Shedders because of the amount they shed.

Someone with severe allergies may want to reconsider before getting this breed of dog. For others, their allergies are not too severe, and they may be willing to live with them in favor of their favorite breed.

Whether you plan on getting a German Shepherd or perhaps have one already and recently discovered your allergies, there are still things that you can do in order to make it manageable and create a happier home for both you and your pet.

1. Keep your German Shepherd Well-Groomed

German Shepherds shed a lot, but this can be somewhat controlled if they are kept well-groomed. If your allergies arent too bad, you may be able to do this yourself. If not, finding a non-allergic friend or family member to help can be a big blessing.

Brush your dog regularly, daily if possible. Do a thorough brushing at least once a week to keep on top of it.

Also bathe your dog regularly. What regularly means can vary, but the more often the better. Bathing your German Shepherd gets rid of old skin cells and dander and keeps those from falling out around the house.

Using a good shampoo and keeping their coat healthy can reduce shedding as well. Dry fur will shed more, so a clean and well-groomed dog will not leave as much fur and dander around.

2. Consider Losing the Carpet

4. Use Air Cleaners

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