When we talk about pet allergies, we often tend to think about how these reactions affect us. However, statistics have it that 10-40% of dogs also suffer from allergies.
Among those that do, these misguided reactions may be due to exposure to specific outdoor ‘triggers,’ including dust, pollen, and mold, among other air components. Allergies in dogs may also be caused by indoor -based triggers such as dust, dust mites, and spores.
Now, if your dog’s allergic reactions tend to get worse whenever she gets on her bed, it makes sense to wonder whether the bed could be the cause of her troubles. If so, how does that happen, and what can you do about it? Let’s dig a little deeper into this topic.
Did you know that your dog spends 12-14 hours sleeping on his bed per 24-hour cycle? Actually, puppies and older dogs tend to sleep for 18 to 20 hours every day. This means that if at all there is any allergy triggers on the bed, then they are bound to have more than enough time to wreak havoc on your friend.
To better understand the link between your dog’s allergies and his bed, here are the significant components worth considering;
Most dog beds are filled with either memory foam or latex. High-density mattresses made from either of these 2 mattresses are highly rated for their ability to curb allergens, including dust mites, pollen, and mold from penetrating through.
Preventing these triggers from making it through the bed is a good thing. However, perhaps what you don’t know about pet dander is that its accumulation between the foam and the outer fabric is what promotes the multiplication of dust mites.
It’s also worth noting that a mattress’ ability to resist allergens weakens with time. A 10-year old, worn-out mattress is very likely to harbor not only dust mites but fleas too.
Dog beds’ outer fabrics can be made from a wide array of materials, including natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and hypoallergenic fabrics. Experts say that dogs that suffer from allergic reactions may be affected more by one type of fiber than another one.
Natural fibers are those that are obtained from living organisms such as plants (for instance, cotton) and animals (wool). More often than not, these natural sourced fiber fillings are pet-friendly and are less likely to lead to allergic reactions through contact.
These refer to fibers made by human beings after extensive research. Synthetic fibers are manufactured by combining several chemicals in certain processes. Some examples of synthetic fabrics include spandex, nylon, rayon, rubber, and polyester.
Most synthetic fabrics are generally cheaper compared to natural ones since there exists huge supply abilities. However, some of the chemicals used for these fabrics, especially those that are regarded as flame retardant can cause contact allergies.
Contact allergies in dogs are skin manifestations that occur when parts of their skin come into direct contact with the fabric. This problem may be caused either by the type of fabric itself, or the chemical additives, including finishing agents and textile dyes that may have been used in the fabric processing process.
From a general health point of view, chemically manufactured synthetic fabrics are not so good for your dog’s health. Right out of the box, these fabrics harbor chemical odors, which could be toxic to your pet’s health when inhaled. This will make more sense once you understand how long your dog sleeps on his bed.
Keep in mind that this does not automatically give cotton, wool, and silk, among other natural fibers, the upper hand in this debate. If anything, some of these ‘natural’ fibers are processed using some chemicals during production too, and this can adversely affect your furry friend.
The issue of off-gassing aside, fabrics made of 100% natural components such as cotton and hemp are less likely to cause contact allergies compared to synthetic fibers.
Having understood that dogs spend over 50% of their lives snoozing, it makes sense that the first thing that you’ll want to do when combating allergies is to mind where they sleep. Getting a hypoallergenic mattress is a highly recommendable idea, especially if your dog is allergic to dust mites and dust.
As the name suggests, these mattresses are engineered purposely to prevent allergic reactions. The best of them are fitted with a tight encasement around the mattress to prevent allergens from permeating into the bed.
Getting the best bedding for your dog isn’t enough. You’ll also need to ensure that they remain clean to prevent the accumulation of dust mites and other allergens. Before throwing the bedding into the washing machine, check the label first to ensure that you are following the manufacturer’s instructions.
It’s also important to use Allerpet De-Mite Laundry Additive (8 fl oz)- a product that helps in eliminating dust mites and other allergens lurking in each load of your dog’s sheets as well as your bedding.
After cleaning your dog’s bedding, it’s important that you wait for them to dry completely before your pet can use them again. Having at least 2 sets of bedding means that your furry friend will have a clean set ready each time.
Buying a new set of bedding and washing it regularly won’t mean a lot if your dog’s existing allergic reactions aren’t solved first. For a canine friend with mild to moderate itching, Zoom Dog could be what your dog needs to calm their itchy skin. This is also one of the best nutritional supplements for dogs that are often exposed to harsh weather and wetlands when hunting.
If you are looking for a quick and temporary relief of allergic reactions, Sentry Allergy Relief Tabs (100 count) are going to be your first bet. Made with dogs in mind, these tabs contain antihistamine- a compound that is popularly used in the treatment of allergies.
It’s true that pet hair does not directly impact our reactions to allergens as well as those of dogs. However, depending on the size of the fur coat, remember that these hairs tend to accumulate pet dander, including pollen and mold and then disperse it around the home. Of all the areas around your house, most of these allergens will end up in your dog’s bed. Here are our recommendations for the best anti-shading solutions in the world.
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