Tofu, our Chief Pawduct Officer, sporting our flexible dog shoes during allergy season to help prevent irritation and reduce excessive licking.
Springtime, often synonymous with the blossoming of flowers and the return of warmer weather, unfortunately also signals the onset of allergy season. This doesn't just affect humans but also our canine companions too. The presence of pollen and other allergens often leads to dogs exhibiting symptoms such as excessive scratching, licking, and chewing. These actions can also lead to inflamed paws and hair loss, causing discomfort for your furry friend.
Common allergy symptoms include:
- Excessive scratching
- Licking and chewing
- Inflamed paws
- Hair loss
- Development of hives
- Skin inflammation
- Redness and swelling in the ears
- Unpleasant odors from the ears
While solutions like more frequent bathing, allergy shots, and topical creams exist to provide relief from these allergy symptoms, another great measure is the use of dog shoes to prevent scratching and licking during the season. Dog shoes serve a dual purpose in the fight against allergies: they act as a barrier between the allergen and the dog's skin, and they prevent further irritation caused by excessive scratching and licking.
Dog Shoes to Prevent Licking and Chewing
A comfortable pair of dog shoes, such as our flexible dog shoes, can also be worn indoors to prevent your itchy dog from using its nails to scratch irritated areas. When dogs come into contact with allergens, they can develop hives on various parts of the skin. If these areas are further irritated by scratching, it can lead to skin inflammation and subsequent hair loss, most commonly in areas like the belly and inner thighs.
Allergies can also cause inflammation in the dog's ears, resulting in redness, swelling, and unpleasant odors. Dogs often resort to scratching their ears with their feet and nails which can exacerbate the irritation and cause discomfort. In such cases, a pair of dog boots can help prevent further damage, such as bleeding and infections, that can arise from constant itching and disruption of the skin barrier.
An additional advantage of dog shoes is they prevent your dog from licking off any topical creams and soothing balms applied to their skin. By wearing the shoes, these topical treatments are given time to properly absorb into the skin, promoting faster recovery and relief from the discomfort of allergies. Dog shoes are not just an accessory, but a practical tool to ensure the health and comfort of your beloved pet.
Dog Shoes Protect Against Direct Contact with Allergies
For dogs who frequently venture outdoors and are often exposed to allergens like grass or weed pollens, dog shoes are a helpful accessory. They function as a protective barrier, preventing allergens from directly contacting the skin of the paws. This barrier keeps allergens from settling in between the fur and toes of the paw, reducing the chances of your dog resorting to excessive chewing and licking.
What to Look for in Dog Shoes to Prevent Scratching
To ensure that dog shoes stay on your dog to help prevent scratching, there are several important features to look for to keep your dog comfortable and safe. Here’s our tips on how to choose the right pair of dog shoes for your dog.
