Environmental allergies
Minimising exposure to environmental allergens in dogs and cats By Ness Bird - Nutrition Adviser and RVN CertCFVHNut ©
![](/sites/admin/plugins/elfinder/files/ardengrange/Nutrition%20and%20Advice%20section/Fact%20Sheets%20section/Canine%20Fact%20Sheets/Medical%20conditions%20section/Enviro%201.png)
Atopy
describes an adverse immune reaction to one or more environmental allergen/s.
These usually trigger a response when inhaled, but contact allergies can affect
pets too. Atopic animals produce more immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. The
normal role of these antibodies is to protect the body against parasitic
organisms, but they also produce allergic reactions.
Atopy can be treated with immunotherapy, and symptoms managed using anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant drugs, but it can still be a difficult condition to manage since drug therapy is not always fail-safe, and many allergens are impossible to completely avoid.
Atopy can be treated with immunotherapy, and symptoms managed using anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant drugs, but it can still be a difficult condition to manage since drug therapy is not always fail-safe, and many allergens are impossible to completely avoid.
Storing dry dog food
High
sensitisation rates to the Tyrophagus, Acarus, and Lepidoglyphus species of
storage mites have been reported in atopic animals, and studies have indicated
that dry pet food can be a suitable substrate for storage mite reproduction.
Environmental conditions may influence food contamination and mite development,
so careful storage is important. Using two or even three airtight containers
for each sack of food will help to retain its freshness. A small container kept
on the kitchen counter for daily use means that the rest of the food kept
separately is not exposed to air, moisture and environmental contaminants every
time the animal is fed. If financially viable; smaller sized bags of food are a
good idea. Dry pet food does not arrive with storage mites, but they can take
up residence when the pack is opened.
Please see our fact sheet here for more information about the safe storage of dry dog and cat food.
Please see our fact sheet here for more information about the safe storage of dry dog and cat food.
Selecting
and preparing pet food
If using
dry food, choose a high quality brand such as Arden Grange that doesn’t include
high a high volume of cereal, and has well defined kibble which isn’t broken,
overly dry or dusty. Commercial dry food can be vacuum packed or frozen
(defrost before use) if a dog or cat has very severe allergies to storage
mites. Dry food is best soaked or sprayed with warm water before serving to try
and limit any dust which may be otherwise inhaled. An alternative would be to
use commercial wet food such as the Arden Grange Partners canned food range
(for dogs), or a carefully balanced home-prepared or raw menu.
Bedding and laundry
House dust
mites inhabit carpets, bedding and soft furnishings. “Hypoallergenic” bedding
is available, but regular washing is also a good way to minimise house dust
mites. Temperatures of 60+ degrees C will kill them. It’s probably best not to
encourage an atopic animal into or onto your own bed as dust mites are
particularly prevalent in this area; but if your pet is allowed, you’ll need to
wash your own bedding more frequently. Launder your curtains and soft
furnishings regularly, and make sure you use gentle, un-fragranced detergents.
Carpets and flooring
If
possible, remove carpets and vacuum hard floors with a high-filtration vacuum
cleaner with the capacity to retain a high proportion of the smallest
particles. When the vacuum cleaner needs emptying, do this outdoors and make
sure your pet is not in the vicinity. If carpets cannot be removed, a
high-temperature steam-cleaner is an effective way to kill dust mites. Spray
preparations are also an option, but care should be taken if pets or people in
the household suffer from a respiratory condition. Damp carpet over concrete
floors generates a humid environment which is very favourable to dust mites, so
if you’re shampooing your carpets, make sure they are dried thoroughly.
Cleaning
Use a damp
duster when cleaning to minimise the amount of particles being wafted up into
the air. Take care when selecting cleaning products as some sensitive pets can
be very reactive to certain chemicals and fragrances. Scented candles and
plug-in air fresheners can be especially provocative. Many pets love soft toys,
but for the atopic animal, hard and easily washable toys are a safer option. If
your cat or dog is passionate about soft toys, wash them regularly at 60+
degrees C. If they won’t survive a high laundry temperature then they can be
sealed in a plastic bag in the freezer for a minimum of twelve hours once a
month and then washed at a lower temperature.
Mould / humidity
If you know
or suspect that there is mould in your home, it is best to consult a
professional for remedial advice. Mould
spores can make pets and people very ill. To prevent mould occurring, wipe down
condensation from windows and window sills, avoid drying clothes on radiators
and ensure that all rooms are adequately ventilated. A humid atmosphere
promotes mould growth and increases the dust mite population; so a dehumidifier
may be a good investment - keep indoor humidity at under 50%, but at the
opposite extreme, you do not want the atmosphere to be too dry either.
Pollen and other outdoor irritants
![](/sites/admin/plugins/elfinder/files/ardengrange/Nutrition%20and%20Advice%20section/Fact%20Sheets%20section/Canine%20Fact%20Sheets/Medical%20conditions%20section/Enviro%202.png)
Limiting
exposure to pollen is difficult because dogs need to be walked outdoors, and
many cats enjoy being outside. Intradermal
skin testing is expensive, but it can be an extremely useful diagnostic tool
since particular types of pollen that are problematic to the individual can be
identified. If you know which trees and grasses are annoying your dog’s immune
system, it can sometimes be possible to alter walking routes to avoid these
particular plants. Try to avoid walking at very humid times of the day if
possible too. Protective boots may be an idea if your dog’s feet become
irritated when walking in particular areas. Nibbling at the feet can be
symptomatic of atopy, so your dog may have sore feet even if he/she is not
walking on something that’s directly affecting him/her such as chemicals used
to spray crops or insecticides used on grass. Salt and grit on the roads in
winter can exacerbate this, so it’s important to be careful at all times of the
year
Insect bites and stings
Reactions
to insect bites and stings can be very severe if your pet is allergic to the
enzymes released by the insect. External parasite control is therefore
important for animals who are known or suspected to be allergic to flea or tick
saliva, but be sure to use safe, species-appropriate products and do not exceed
the recommended dose. Dog products should never be used on cats and vice versa.
Other insects such as ants and midges can also be a problem for some sensitive
animals. If your pet has had a past anaphylactic reaction as a result of a bee
sting for example, your vet may provide you with a syringe containing the
correct dose of epinephrine for your pet’s body weight in case of a future
reaction.
Dander
Just like
people, animals can be allergic to the protein in dander (skin particles). Cat
dander can be a particular problem for dogs. All cats and dogs in the household
should be regularly groomed to remove dead skin cells and stimulate sebum
production. Make sure grooming debris is quickly tidied up and disposed of.
Wash brushes, combs and any other grooming tools regularly, and use separate
equipment for your cat and dog. Dogs may benefit from regular, but not too
frequent bathing with a mild emollient shampoo. Good nutrition designed to feed
the skin and coat from the inside can be very helpful, so choose your pet’s
diet with care.
Food
Atopy is
much more prevalent than food allergies, but the diet of an atopic pet requires
consideration for several reasons:-
a) When an animal is sensitive to one or more allergens in the environment, this may leave the immune system vulnerable. It is therefore not uncommon for an atopic pet to develop other types of allergy; such as to one or more dietary protein/s. If a food allergy is suspected or diagnosed, then a trial using a diet that provides both a novel protein and carbohydrate source may be beneficial; i.e. ones which the animal has not eaten before, since food allergies usually arise after a reasonable period of exposure to the provocative ingredient.
b) Good nutrition can support and strengthen the immune system. This can be especially beneficial to an animal with a threshold based allergy because even if the allergen cannot be completely eliminated, the reaction to it may be less severe if the threshold at which a reaction occurs can be raised by increasing immune strength.
Arden Grange produce a range of hypoallergenic diets that all exclude the most common dietary allergens, which are wheat, beef, soya and dairy products. Furthermore, every product contains prebiotics, nucleotides, natural antioxidants and krill, which is an excellent source of the essential omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which may all benefit your pet’s immune system.
a) When an animal is sensitive to one or more allergens in the environment, this may leave the immune system vulnerable. It is therefore not uncommon for an atopic pet to develop other types of allergy; such as to one or more dietary protein/s. If a food allergy is suspected or diagnosed, then a trial using a diet that provides both a novel protein and carbohydrate source may be beneficial; i.e. ones which the animal has not eaten before, since food allergies usually arise after a reasonable period of exposure to the provocative ingredient.
b) Good nutrition can support and strengthen the immune system. This can be especially beneficial to an animal with a threshold based allergy because even if the allergen cannot be completely eliminated, the reaction to it may be less severe if the threshold at which a reaction occurs can be raised by increasing immune strength.
Arden Grange produce a range of hypoallergenic diets that all exclude the most common dietary allergens, which are wheat, beef, soya and dairy products. Furthermore, every product contains prebiotics, nucleotides, natural antioxidants and krill, which is an excellent source of the essential omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which may all benefit your pet’s immune system.
Immune strength
![](/sites/admin/plugins/elfinder/files/ardengrange/Nutrition%20and%20Advice%20section/Fact%20Sheets%20section/Canine%20Fact%20Sheets/Medical%20conditions%20section/Enviro%203.png)
Animals do
a lot of sniffing, so it’s no surprise that certain things can get up their
noses and cause them problems. They are also smaller than adult humans, so what
might be mildly bothersome to us such as a high pollen count on a summer’s day
could be a lot more irritating to an atopic pet. As mentioned
above, supporting the immune system can be very beneficial. EPA and DHA work in
the skin to help reduce the amount and effects of histamine and other chemicals
that are produced in response to allergens. Allergic animals may also benefit
from a probiotic supplement. Although we include prebiotics in our food, the
high cooking temperatures and relatively long shelf-life of commercial complete
pet food are not conducive to the survival of probiotics. A commercial supplement
such as Lintbell’s YuDIGEST may be beneficial to the atopic pet because a large
proportion of the immune cells reside in the gut.
Minimising exposure to allergens can be highly beneficial since the immune system can then focus more on its important protective role.
As a responsible and ethical company, Arden Grange fully appreciates the caution that must be taken when discussing the potential benefits of nutritional supplements. It is against the law to make medical claims. Whilst our ingredients are safe and natural, and may be beneficial to some of the cats and dogs fed on Arden Grange, we must highlight that their inclusion is not a substitute for veterinary intervention in the case of a sick animal.
Minimising exposure to allergens can be highly beneficial since the immune system can then focus more on its important protective role.
As a responsible and ethical company, Arden Grange fully appreciates the caution that must be taken when discussing the potential benefits of nutritional supplements. It is against the law to make medical claims. Whilst our ingredients are safe and natural, and may be beneficial to some of the cats and dogs fed on Arden Grange, we must highlight that their inclusion is not a substitute for veterinary intervention in the case of a sick animal.