Can You Be Allergic To Golden Retriever

Testing For Dog Allergies

An allergy test by skin or blood performed by a professional can help determine whether your body is allergic to any known substances. Its often done by exposing you to suspected allergens.

Even if you are almost certain you have a dog allergy, its best to get tested to know for sure.

That way, the test rules out any other possibilities such as food, environmental, or seasonal allergies, which can have similar symptoms.

This helps with exploring your treatment options moving forward.

How To Live With A Golden Retriever If You Have Allergies

There are some things you can do so you can live with a golden retriever if you have allergies.

• Vacuum. Vacuum often and Vacuum everywhere. Cant stress this enough.
• Keep them out of your bedroom or anywhere you spend a lot of time in
• Bathe them at least once a week to ensure that their coat contains a low level of dander
• One of the things you can try is to have no carpets because carpets can accumulate dander and other allergenic particles such as dust and it will exacerbate your allergy symptoms.
• Open the windows and doors as much as possible and let the fresh air and sunlight fill your house as much as possible.
• You can also install high-efficiency particulate vent filters and air purifiers
• One of the most effective solutions is to keep your golden retriever out of the house for a few hours every day to reduce the amount of dander that can accumulate in your home.

You can learn about all 17 ways to manage golden retriever shedding here.

Owning a dog while having allergies will only work if you have a mild dog allergy but if you are strongly allergic to dogs, then you probably should get a hypoallergenic dog. It can still cause some problems but it will definitely be less and smaller than the problems that golden retrievers are going to cause.

Want even more info? The AKC made this excellent video that you can watch below:

Causes Of Allergies In Golden Retrievers

If youve ever experienced allergies yourself, then you know how miserable the experience can feel. Your dog can be allergic to several of the same things with which you are also allergic.

Most golden retrievers start scratching more often when their skin gets exposed to dirt, mold, and other irritants.

Here are some of the things that cause allergies in golden retrievers:

Certain types of foods can cause allergies in your golden retriever. Thats especially true of processed pet food, which creates a lot of allergies in both dogs and cats. Several types of dog breeds have allergic reactions to different kinds of grains and proteins, and those are usually included in their processed pet food.

Dust and mold can also cause allergies in your golden retriever. Several common household allergens could be affecting your dog. Also, if you smoke around your dog, that could trigger an allergy.

Naturally-occurring allergens can also harm your golden retriever if your dog tends to play outside often. Most golden retrievers enjoy being outside, so they are regularly exposed to dander, pollens, and different types of things that can make them itch.

Cleaning products, fabrics, and some types of perfumes can also cause an allergic reaction in your dog. Certain types of dog shampoos can also create a problem in your golden retriever.

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What Are Hypoallergenic Dogs

You probably heard about hypoallergenic dogs. These are dog breeds that supposedly do not produce allergens and therefore, are compatible with people that have dog allergies. But, the truth is that there is no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic dog.

Hypoallergenic dog breeds produce very little shedding and less dander compared with other dog breeds. Therefore, are more suitable for people with pet allergies. Allergic people still need to take precautions if living with one of these dogs.

So, can you be allergic to labradors?If you have a Labrador Retriever or are familiar with the breed, you will know that Labs shed a lot and produce a lot of dander as well. Unfortunately, this means that Labs are bad for allergies.

The American Kennel Club , consider these dog breeds to be hypoallergenic:

• Afghan Hound
• Xoloitzcuintli

Figuring Out Food Allergies

Golden retrievers, much like people, can be allergic to certain types of foods. So, youll want to know how to approach food allergies if you suspect your dog has one.

Since food very commonly causes allergic reactions in golden retrievers, youll need to use a process of elimination to figure out what type of food is causing the allergy in your dog.

Unfortunately, it can be a complicated process to figure out a good allergy in your dog. If youre not sure what food might be doing it, try to use a process of elimination. Remove different types of food one by one until you can tell which food created the problem in your dog.

The grain in dog food is a common reason why golden retrievers have allergic reactions to processed dog food. One of the first things you should try is removing grain from your dogs diet. Instead, purchase grain-free dog food and see if that helps your pet.

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Complications Of Dog Allergies

Pet allergies are generally not life-threatening. However, some symptoms may be a lot more unpleasant or even more severe than others.

These cases are rare but can be fatal without proper treatment. Other times, they may lead to further health complications.

Nasal passages with chronic or ongoing inflammation of tissues due to an allergic reaction can block the sinuses. This increases the likelihood of bacteria developing into sinus infections, like sinusitis.

While this condition may resolve on its own, it can last up to eight weeks.

Pet allergies can trigger or worsen existing asthmatic conditions. This can cause pain or tightness in the chest, breathing difficulties, coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath.

In severe cases, it can trigger a full-blown asthma attack.

Some people may even develop a skin condition known as allergic contact dermatitis.

Medications For Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition. So, some vets might try to deal with it through an extended medication routine. Antihistamine and corticosteroids are the class of drugs that are normally used to alleviate the itching and redness of the skin.

Cyclosporine is one of the most effective drugs that are used to treat protracted skin cases allergies. So, your vet might prescribe this medication . Another of its variant Atopica is also used to treat itchiness and redness of the skin.

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How Can You Reduce Dog Allergens

Regardless of the breed you choose, once you bring your dog home, there are steps you can take to lessen the severity of your allergy symptoms. Here are a few:

Even if you have an allergy, with the use of medical intervention and the above recommendations, a dog could still become a beloved new member of your household.

Can Golden Retriever Eat Chicken Bones

Another frequently asked question about the Golden Retriever is can dogs eat uncooked chicken bones? or cooked chicken bones. Yes, they can eat chicken bones.

If asked to choose between uncooked chicken bones or cooked chicken bones, you should give your dog uncooked or raw chicken bones.

Raw chicken bones can help a dogs teeth and gums healthy, and the fact that the dog easily chews bones. Meanwhile, cooked bones can cause internal injury to your dog.

Therefore you should keep any chicken or raw meat materials away from your Golden Retriever. Give your dog two raw bones per week and provide several days of serving. Do not be too frequent because it can cause constipation.

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Best Food For Golden Retriever Puppy

Many dog owners care about the best food for golden retriever puppy. Best food will provide nutrients, protein, and vitamins that are right for your dogs development.

The best food for a Golden Retriever puppy in terms of taste is beef and wheat-based foods.

When looking for the best food for your puppy, it is also important to consider the cost of the food and how easy it is to digest. Golden Retrievers loves beef and wheat-based foods the best.

You should never feed your puppy anything other than these two kinds of food.

Therefore, you should always consult your veterinarian regarding your Golden Retriever puppys diet. The vet will let you know what foods are best and which ones to avoid to ensure your dogs health in the long run.

Best: Tiny Toy Breeds Like The Maltese Might Work

Your bed should be off-limits if you have a dog allergy. Letting a dog sleep with you is one of the worst things you can do for your allergy symptoms. You should ideally make your entire bedroom off-limits to the pup and setting up a separate sleeping area for a dog is a lot easier when its just a wee one. A tiny, toy breed, such as a Maltese, could work.

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How To Fight Food

If your Golden Retriever has food allergies, you may want to try a fresh food diet. Unlike commercial dry kibble, fresh food diets include healthy fats like fish oil and sunflower oil and essential fatty acids such as Omega-3 and Omega-6, along with B-vitamin complexes, essential amino acids and zinc.

Here are some suggestions for managing your Goldens food allergies:

Care Considerations For Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds

Finally, while youll want to choose a dog breed that has a minimal impact on your allergies, or those of your child, youll need to know a few things about caring for hypoallergenic dogs.

The most important consideration is that they need much more frequent brushing, because their hair continually grows longer.

They will also need more frequent bathing. Interestingly, more frequent bathing and grooming can make a non-hypoallergenic dog like a golden retriever easier on your allergies by eliminating some of the dander responsible for allergic reactions in the first place.

Are you on the lookout for a hypoallergenic dog? Tell us why in the comments below, and share your experiences!

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Why You Shouldnt Get A Golden Retriever If You Have Allergies

Most of this post has been about how to find a way to own a golden retriever if you have allergies.

But the truth is, if you have severe allergies, it just might not work.

And thats ok.

They can be tough for people with allergies because theyre big, they shed a lot, and theyre big lickers.

Golden retrievers arent for everyone, and if you cant get one because of your allergies, itll be ok.

There are plenty of other ways to find love and fulfillment, and it would be terrible if you got a golden retriever and stuck them outside or had to give them up because they werent a good fit for you.

What Causes Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis in Golden Retrievers aggravates in a gradual manner. The initial onset of the disease is usually attributed to genetics. However, there are some allergens that can cause the condition even in retrievers with no family history of atopic dermatitis. These allergens are:

• Airborne animal dander
• Airborne pollens emanating from grass, trees, and shrubs around the house
• Presence of mold spores in the interior can also set off atopic dermatitis
• The dust mite is another potent allergen for atopic dermatitis in case of Golden Retrievers

Golden Retrievers already suffering from borderline atopic dermatitis are more vulnerable to the effects of these allergens.

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Skin Irritation Or Infection

Skin infections such as Hot Spots can cause your Golden Retriever to lose hair in clumps. Hot Spots are a form of bacterial infection that causes inflammation and red wounds on your Golden Retrievers skin. The wounds associated with Hot Spots develop all over your Golden Retrievers body rapidly, and it is common to find pus within those red wounds.

Do not be surprised if your dog falls asleep with no wounds by wakes up with quite a few all over his body. Hot spots are generally triggered by your Golden Retriever scratching, licking, and nibbling at the infected area to ease the irritation.

Your Golden Retrievers constant picking of the infected area causes trauma to the skin and results in inflammation and red wounds. If the wounds are not treated and are left to dwell, your Golden Retriever may develop a secondary bacterial infection.

Bathing Your Golden Retriever

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What Kind Of Health Problems Do Golden Retrievers Have

Some more serious health problems that can affect your golden include: Golden Retrievers are more likely to develop certain types of cancer than any other breed. Unfortunately, cancer is the number one cause of death in goldens, studies show that 60% of goldens will die from cancer. Males have a higher rate of 66% and females slightly lower at 57%.

Common Food Allergies For Golden Retrievers

Food allergies are the trickiest medical condition that you can encounter in your Golden Retriever. Your dog is shaking its head and crazily itching and your vet might tell you that it is due to an allergic reaction to food. According to veterinary data, nearly 10 percent of all canine allergies are actually food allergies. Besides Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds, Cocker Spaniels and Dachshunds are more vulnerable to food allergies than the rest of the breeds.

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Am I Allergic To Dogs: Common Symptoms Of Dog Allergies

If you have a dog allergy, the symptoms may range from mild to severe. In some cases, the symptoms may not even appear for several days after exposure. This occurs in people with low sensitivity.

Following are some symptoms of allergic to dogs:

• Swelling or itching in the nose membranes or around your eyes
• Redness of the skin thats been licked by the dog
• Coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath within 15 to 30 minutes of exposure to the dog
• Rash on the face, chest or neck
• Severe asthma attack for someone who has asthma

Children that are allergic to dogs can even develop eczema in addition to the symptoms mentioned above. Eczema is the painful inflammation of the skin.

Earlier people used to believe that exposing a newborn to the family dog could cause the child to develop a pet allergy.

However, for dog owners the opposite appears is usually true.

Several studies including one published in the Journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology have found that exposing a baby to a pet doesnt at all increase the risk of him developing allergies or asthma.

In fact, it may actually protect your child from developing them in the future.

Some People’s Allergies May Differ Based On Dog Breed

I counsel my patients every day regarding allergic reactions to different dog breeds. Oftentimes my patient will tell me their dog doesn’t trigger their allergy symptoms, but exposure to another person’s dog does.

It seems strange, but it is possible for a person to be allergic to one breed of dog and not another. Some breeds of dogs are hypoallergenic, meaning they produce less dander and therefore cause fewer symptoms in those allergic to dogs. The main allergens people are sensitive to come from dog saliva, known as Can f 1, and dog albumin, a protein found in their blood.

But there’s more to it than that there are differences in the characteristics of the dog allergens between breeds, and these differences may result in people developing allergies to some breeds of dogs and not others. This is a completely different concept than a hypoallergenic dog, which relates to the actual amount of dog allergen produced by certain dog breeds.

In fact, the variety is so great that allergy tests must test for dog allergens associated with at least five different breeds in order to accurately deliver a diagnosis. It is entirely possible that your neighbor’s Labrador Retriever makes you sneeze uncontrollably, but your German Shepard fails to induce even a sniffle.

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