It’s so sad to see your beloved pet constantly scratching and fussing. None of us wants our dog or cat to be miserable. However, sometimes is hard to know what’s bothering them. Could it be an allergy to dust mites? Here’s some valuable information about dust mites and pets that may help you.
Symptoms
DVM360, a website dedicated to providing detailed information to veterinarians, has an informative post on dust mite allergies in dogs. Just as in humans, these parasites can wreak havoc with your furry baby and make them absolutely miserable. Here are some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction to dust mites in your dog or cat.
• Scratching
• Licking
• Rubbing on the carpet or other surfaces
• Skin or ear irritation
Similar to other allergic reactions, dust mites can trigger behavior that makes both pet and owner miserable. The key is to correctly determine if dust mites are the culprit and then get a proper care regimen for the allergy.
Treatment
Once you’ve determined your pet has trouble with dust mites, it’s time to address the problem. Your vet may suggest different alternatives to help alleviate itching, deal with skin damage and decrease the allergic reaction to the extent possible.
Here are some remedies available to you.
• Soothing baths
• Topical ointments or sprays
• Oral antihistamines
Prevention
Although you cannot cure an allergy, in addition to treating the symptoms, you can also take steps to remove a good amount of the allergen from your environment to reduce the animal’s suffering. Prevention for dust mites in pets is similar to prevention for dust mites in people.
Remove as many of these parasites as possible with regular cleaning and eliminating places that are known to harbor the mites. Frequent vacuuming and dusting with a damp cloth will help keep the dust mite population in your home down. It’s also important to launder bedding – both yours and your pet’s bedding – every week, since this is a favorite breeding ground for mites.
You may want to consider wood, laminate or vinyl flooring over carpeting and leather over fabric furniture – giving mites less places to hide. Also, instead of a pet pillow or bed, opt for a comfortable, folded blanket that can be laundered on a weekly basis. Even though you cannot cure a dust mite allergy in your dog or cat, you can lessen their exposure in many ways to help them feel better.
One of the most comprehensive articles available on animal allergies is posted on the PetMD website, entitled “Itch-And-Scratch-Bite-And-Lick!” The bottom line is, if you’re not able to isolate and treat whatever condition is tormenting your pet, it’s time for a visit to the vet to see if dust mites are what’s ailing them.