irritation

Spring is in the air and with the days getting longer we are able to spend that much needed time outdoors with our pets. However for some of us spring means itching and we are not alone, dogs and cats can also suffer as a result of the increased pollen in the air at this time of year.

Although itching can strike at any time of year and can be caused by a number of things including food, cleaning chemicals and dust mites, spring is a time when pet allergies can be at their worst and these allergies tend to be caused by outdoor triggers such as grasses, tree shrub, pollens, farm crops such as cereals, oil seed rape, mould spores and ragweed.

Unlike humans whose allergy symptoms are usually respiratory, symptoms to watch out for in dogs and cats are most often skin-related including itchiness

If your Dog is prone to skin problems what might help? This week’s blog was written in response to a customer’s question regarding her pug Alfie (pictured), who is prone to skin problems.  

Skin problems are an increasing problem for our pets, especially for those animals like pugs, which have a lot of skin creases around their faces. Skin folds create a favourable environment for bacterial growth, leading to irritation, inflammation and a foul odour between the folds. Skin problems can be related to your pet’s internal health and immune system.

Whilst a dog’s body will detoxify harmful waste products (from day-to-day environmental pollutants, poor quality food or the chemical products which are applied to the skin) through the liver, kidneys, the gut and the skin, once the liver and kidneys become