If you own a Boston Terrier, you know what great pets they can make. Companionable and playful, they are excellent with other dogs, children, and strangers. Part of their appeal also stems from their low-shedding coat. Keeping this adorable coat clean and healthy is important — not just for how it looks, but for your Boston Terrier’s quality of life. Unlike humans, dogs react to most allergies with skin irritation. Most commonly, this irritation comes in the form of red, itchy areas of skin or rashes. Left untreated, dogs will bite or scratch at these areas, which can lead to infections or worsening skin irritation.
What are some causes of Boston Terrier skin allergies?
There are a few key sources of Boston Terrier allergies, including food allergies, environmental allergies, and medication allergies. No specific food or nutrient is a more common allergen than another for Boston Terriers, so figuring out where the problem lies can be tricky. An elimination diet, in which you remove all suspected causes from your Boston Terrier’s diet and add them back in one at a time, is a common way to discover the cause of their reaction. This can take some time, however, so you could also go to a vet for an allergy test. Boston Terrier allergies caused by food tend to produce rashes over their body, and there can be other symptoms like vomiting or decreased energy.
Environmental allergens include contact allergens, like pollen, mold, and dust, as well as parasites like mites or fleas. Contact irritants can easily make their way through a Boston Terrier’s short coat to their skin from carpeting or grass. They can lead to areas of itchy red bumps that are unpleasant for the dog. Fleas and mites, while a potential problem for nearly all dogs, can lead to a strong reaction in some cases. Look for itchy areas with hair loss at the site of bites as a way to identify this type of allergy.
A related form of contact allergy can be the result of a reaction to particular shampoos or medications. If you suspect this is the case, avoid using the shampoo or medication, if possible, for a little while to see if the skin irritation goes away. If so, switch to a medication or shampoo that agrees with your Boston Terrier better.
What are some common Boston Terrier allergy symptoms?
Because Boston Terriers have a short, close coat, skin issues can be a bit easier to spot. If you are concerned about Boston Terrier skin allergies, taking the time to regularly inspect their coat for symptoms can make it easier to address concerns before they get worse. Red, itchy bumps that have a similar appearance to acne are the most common Boston Terrier allergy symptoms. Many of the other symptoms of Boston Terrier allergies stem from biting or licking at the affected areas. These include hair loss, a stained coat, or greasy skin. You also might notice thicker, darker skin in certain areas, and in more advanced situations, a bad smell coming from their skin.
Are there any natural Boston Terrier skin allergy remedies?
Depending on your Boston Terrier’s allergy symptoms, you could consider a number of options to address their needs. With regard to food, shampoo, or medication allergies, finding alternative options that don’t provoke the same reaction is the simplest solution. However, in the case of foods that provide vital nutrients or medications for specific concerns, there might not be a particularly good replacement. If that is the case, talk to your dog’s vet about medications to reduce the severity of your Boston Terrier’s allergy symptoms.
Allergy medications, specifically antihistamines, can be an option to deal with environmental allergies or parasites. Whether topically or orally administered, they can offer relief for your Boston Terrier. It is important to do your research to understand the side effects of any medication you give your dog. Check with your dog’s veterinarian before giving them any medication to ensure that it will not conflict with their health goals.
For a holistic supplement that addresses the root causes of Boston Terrier skin allergies, many dog owners turn to nutritional supplements, like Omega-3 fish oils from SeaPet. All-natural supplements like these can improve your dog’s overall health and help them fight back against skin issues.
Omega-3 fish oils for Boston Terrier allergy symptoms
Fish oils are one of the best sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. Fatty acids are essential nutrients for all dogs, and they play a role in skin and coat health, the immune system, metabolism, and more. Most dogs’ diets don’t have enough of these nutrients, so finding a way to supplement their existing diet can have wide-ranging benefits.
EPA and DHA are the most important fatty acids in Omega-3 oils, and they act to improve your dog’s immune system and reduce inflammation from Boston Terrier allergies. Their effect on overall health can better protect your dog from allergens, and their ability to boost the immune system can reduce the severity of Boston Terrier allergy symptoms. Likewise, because these are naturally-occurring nutrients that your dog already needs, there are minimal side effects to consider.
SeaPet offers Omega-3 fish oils that are all-natural and carefully inspected for quality. We hold ourselves to higher standards of purity than all national and international standards. This is important because toxins and dioxins, as well as heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium, can harm your dog and reduce the effectiveness of the oils. These oils are easy to incorporate into your Boston Terrier’s food, so there is no need to struggle with administering pills.
Spending time with a happy, healthy Boston Terrier can be an utterly joyful experience. We understand how important your beloved Boston Terrier is to you and your family. This makes keeping them healthy and comfortable an essential aspect of their care. SeaPet offers rigorously inspected, all-natural Omega-3 fish oils to help you keep your Boston Terrier’s skin healthy. There are several options you can choose from, including Omega-3 fish oils fortified with vitamins like A, D, and E for greater skin and immune system support. Talk to your vet about the benefits of Omega-3 Fish Oils for Boston Terrier allergies.
Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/boston-terrier-dog-small-dog-3029422/
