Reduce Your Pet’s Stress this Allergy Season

We have long known that pets bring so much joy to our lives and they also can reduce our stress just by our stroking their fur or having them near. But being a parent of an itchy dog or cat can be very stressful for both you and your pet. The itching can set off a storm of discomfort as the pet scratches, rubs, chews or gnaws at the skin. Suddenly, that small itch can become a full-blown issue keeping the pet awake, affecting the pet’s personality, and sending the parent on the mission to help find relief. At ZYMOX, we aim to help reduce your pet’s discomfort through our line of enzyme-based dermatology products.

Why Pets Itch

Pets can itch for many reasons. Some of the most common reasons can be due to:

• Fleas
• Dry Conditions
• Humid Conditions
• Allergies

Yes, pets have allergies too. Allergens in people primarily cause symptoms localized to the respiratory tract. However, in pets, allergy symptoms tend to show up in the skin. 

Determining the Cause

Sometimes a pet will itch for one reason and sometimes many such as food sensitivities or allergy to the environment. 

One of the first things veterinarians encourage is to check the pets for fleas and ticks and make sure the pets are on flea/tick preventatives. Just one flea bite can be enough to trigger an allergic response called flea allergy dermatitis, causing constant chewing, itching, biting, or grooming. After checking the pet for fleas and ticks the rest becomes a system of trial and error to find what works.

Signs of a Food Allergy

Surprisingly, some of the most common allergens in your pet’s food are proteins, soy and gluten. We know that some of our pets like to reenact a garbage disposal’s duties with their eating habits. If you notice any of these signs aside from general itching, it may be time to change up your pet’s diet.

• Hair Loss
• Skin Infections
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Health Risks of Itching

Constant itching is just plain uncomfortable and can predispose the pet to skin infections. Therefore, if you don’t try to remedy the issue, whatever problem your pet is having (fleas, mites, ticks) will only worsen over time. As that happens, your pet runs the risk of harming themselves while scratching and going through an even nastier skin infection.

What You Can Do

There is good news! Relief is possible, and it’s been proven to be low-cost, safe and effective and it can be incorporated into any anti-itch regime starting with pet shampoo. The skin is the body’s first line of defense and every pet needs good skin support with a gentle cleanser. It’s even more important and beneficial for the itchy pet to wash away environmental pollutants such as pollens, grasses, mold and to gently soothe the skin to encourage healing. Bathing is the first step in helping to reduce the stress and discomfort for the pet.

Skin can be moisturized with shampoo, which reduces the sensitivity of the skin to itch stimulation. The itch threshold is also raised through skin hydration.  Look for shampoos free of detergents, chlorines, and petroleum by-products and select products utilizing skin soothing ingredients such as enzymes and vitamin D3 for hydration. With the right shampoo, your pet can get back to feeling happy and comfortable.

Healthy Animals Lead Happy Lives™ With ZYMOX Products

The ZYMOX® line of skin products include a Shampoo, Leave-On Conditioner to help the itchy pet and includes a Topical Spray and Cream for hot spots and wounds. Contact us today to learn more.