Introduction
When one thinks of allergies, it is often human discomfort that comes to mind. Pets, however, can also suffer from irritation and other symptoms associated with environmental or food-related allergies.
In fact, allergies are one of the top ten health issues in dogs. If you have pets with allergies, it is your job to help them and make them as comfortable as possible.
Because allergies can create intense symptoms, the attention of a veterinarian is often necessary and may be covered by pet health insurance.
The best way to insure pets is to use PetInsuranceQuotes.com to choose a major medical plan that covers a wide selection of conditions, including allergies and the symptoms associated with them.
What Are Allergies?
An allergy is an overreaction of an animal’s immune system to a substance. Some allergies develop over time after repeated exposure to the specific allergen.
As a result, pets will most likely begin showing signs of allergies as early as 1 to 3 years old, with symptoms worsening over time. Certain breeds are also genetically more susceptible to allergies.
Pets come in contact with allergens through contact, inhalation, ingestion, or injection. Allergic contact dermatitis is an example of one of the most common skin allergies in dogs.
Common Allergens
Some of the most common allergens that affect dogs and cats include pollen, grass, dust mites, mold spores, and cigarette smoke.
Bites from insects such as fleas, spiders, ticks, or mosquitoes may also cause an allergic response. Certain foods can also cause pets to have food allergies, although determining the specific food allergen may require some effort.
Allergies that are related to food may show up at any age.
Signs and Symptoms of Allergies
Pets with allergies will most often experience skin irritation such as itching. This irritation can cause excessive scratching, swelling of the pads on their paws, constant licking or chewing, hair loss, and rubbing their face or parts of their body on carpeting.
Sores, bacterial or yeast infections of the ears, and scabbing are all also potential signs of allergies. Like humans, pets may also experience respiratory problems, although they are less common than skin irritation.
Respiratory problems may include sneezing, coughing, or wheezing. One’s dog or cat may also experience irritation to their eyes, which includes redness, watering, or crusting.
Food allergies may cause gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea or vomiting.
Insuring Pets With Allergies
When it comes to insuring a pet with allergies, it is important to avoid the risk of pre-existing health conditions if possible. For that reason, pet owners will want to buy insurance for their pet as soon as they can, before allergy-related problems develop.
To find the best insurance policy for your dog or cat, take advantage of all that PetInsuranceQuotes.com has to offer. We enable you to comparison-shop before you purchase a pet insurance plan.
Compare all the top pet insurance companies by reviewing our comparison charts, reading reviews by other pet owners, and completing our online form for free price quotes.
When comparing each insurer, check their coverage and restrictions carefully before you sign up for a plan.
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