Can dryer sheets cause allergies in dogs? A Step-by-Step Guide

Pet Safety in the Laundry Room

As a pet lover, you may allow your animals the run of the laundry room. With warmth producing machines and plenty of things to chew on, it may seem like a great big playland to your pet. But, there are precautions that should be taken in the laundry room to keep animals safe.

Can laundry detergent cause allergies in dogs?

Allergies to the components of your laundry detergent can cause your dog to have itchy and irritated skin as well as encouraging chronic skin and ear infections.

Treatment of Laundry Detergent Allergies in Dogs

Although antihistamines are generally effective in humans, they are only effective for twenty to thirty percent of canines and are prone to losing effectiveness over time. Salves and shampoos made with hydrocortisone may relieve the skin discomfort, although efforts should be made to keep your pet from licking off the preparation. If neither antihistamines or topical hydrocortisone are successful in reducing the allergy-related symptoms, then corticosteroid injections or oral tablets may be warranted. Although these medications are usually very effective in reducing the signs of allergy, the side effects can be worrying. The long-term side-effects can contribute serious disorders such as diabetes and liver dysfunction, so concurrent monitoring of the blood chemistry levels may be required. These developments are often dose dependent, so the lowest effective dose of corticosteroid should always be employed.

Another option for animals that are plagued by unavoidable or severe allergic reactions to several detergents, is injected immunotherapy, especially in reactions that are present for at least four to six months of the year and are resistant to antihistamines. Advancements in sublingual immunotherapy have been made, and recent trials are promising, but this option is not commonly available at this time.

Worried about the cost of Laundry Detergent Allergies treatment?

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10 GENIUS and Useful DRYER SHEET HACKS that Actually Work!!! | Andrea Jean

Dogs are known to get into all kinds of inappropriate items around the house. This is especially true for curious puppies and bored or hungry dogs. There are many hazardous chemicals and dangerous items in the average household. Among these are fabric softeners, both in dryer sheets and liquid formulation. You may think a little thing like a dryer sheet is harmless, but it is actually a dangerous thing for your dog to eat.