While we might not think about it often, our laundry detergent could be causing our beloved dogs some severe discomfort.
The immune system’s overreaction causes allergies to laundry detergent to a protein found in the detergent. These allergies can present themselves in various ways, from runny eyes and itchiness to full-blown rashes.
If you suspect your dog is allergic to your laundry detergent, it’s essential to consult your veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis.
In the meantime, try switching to a different brand or variety of detergent to see if that makes a difference for your furry friend.
Can A Dog Be Allergic To Laundry Detergent
Dogs are allergic – just like humans, dogs can have allergies to various things, including scented products like laundry detergent. When dogs come into contact with an allergen, their immune system overreacts and causes symptoms like sneezing, scratching, and runny eyes.
In severe cases, a dog can have difficulty breathing and may need to be hospitalized. So if your dog seems to be having an allergic reaction after you’ve done laundry, it’s best to switch to a hypoallergenic detergent and see if that makes a difference.
How Will I Find Out If My Dog Has A Detergent Allergy?
Laundry detergent allergies can show up everywhere on the body. However, reactions from skin allergies are frequently concentrated around the face and groin, beneath the front legs, and between the toes.
Contact with freshly washed dog bags, clothes, or bedding, as well as with your clothing, might result in allergic responses to washing detergent.
Some common symptoms of laundry detergent allergy are as follows:
- Unruly hair
- Ear infections that persist
- Ongoing foot pain
- Head rubbing
- Shaken head
- Licking too much
- Biting of the paw
- Viruses on the skin
Laundry detergent comes in a variety of forms with various qualities. For specific allergies, some may be more effective than others. Many different powdered and liquid kinds of laundry detergent are available.
By sometimes switching from liquid to powder detergent or from powder to liquid, you may be able to avoid allergies because the chemicals used to produce these two products are very different.
While some laundry detergents employ synthetic cleaners to remove stains and odors from our garments, others use naturally occurring enzymes.
Some people could be allergic to the natural proteins themselves, so switching to a detergent without enzymes might be beneficial.
In many situations, the colors and scents included in cleaning supplies—rather than the cleaning supplies themselves—are the allergen. If your pet is experiencing this, switching to a dye- and fragrance-free detergent could help.
Dog Laundry Detergent Allergy Treatment
Antihistamines are often successful in people, but only 20–30% of dogs can benefit from them, and they are prone to lose their potency with time.
Although precautions should be taken to prevent your pet from licking off the preparation, hydrocortisone-based salves and shampoos may relieve the skin’s pain.
Corticosteroid injections or oral tablets may be necessary if topical hydrocortisone or antihistamines are unsuccessful in alleviating allergy-related symptoms.
The adverse effects of these drugs might be concerning, even though they are frequently highly helpful in lowering allergy symptoms.
The contemporaneous monitoring of blood chemistry levels may be necessary since the long-term adverse effects might contribute to significant illnesses, including diabetes and liver failure.
The lowest effective corticosteroid dosage should always be used because these changes are frequently dose-dependent.
Injected immunotherapy is another treatment option for animals with uncontrollable or severe allergic responses to various detergents, mainly when the symptoms last for at least four to six months a year and are unresponsive to antihistamines.
Sublingual immunotherapy has made strides, and recent trials are encouraging, but this alternative is not yet widely accessible.
Recovering Dog Allergies to Laundry Detergent
Your veterinarian will provide precise recommendations on managing symptoms if your dog has developed an allergy to your laundry detergent until you can locate a detergent that doesn’t trigger a response.
Following all oral and topical medicine directions, including bathing or food requirements, is essential. These recommendations may need to be followed even after the symptoms have stopped showing up.
You must recognize and avoid the source of your response to properly cure contact dermatitis. If the offending chemical is avoided, the rash often goes away in 2 to 4 weeks.
Quite sometimes, a simple change in the kind of laundry detergent is sufficient to reduce the allergic reaction. To help eliminate surplus detergent residues, techniques like adding baking soda to the final rinse or doing a second rinse may be utilized.
Daily Grooming
Our skin responds to allergens frequently as fast as our eyes and nostrils do. Excessive scratching as a result of this may result in open skin sores on your dog.
Regular grooming helps identify skin abnormalities early before they become major health problems. When grooming your dog, keep an eye out for:
- Bumpy red and puffy areas
- Flea mud
- fresh hotspots
- Evidence of parasites or insect bites
Conclusion
Have you ever wondered why your dog always seems to have an itchy neck? Perhaps they’re scratching their back more than usual, or you’ve noticed them licking their paws.
If your dog displays any of these symptoms, it may be allergic to laundry detergent. Commercial detergents contain harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances that irritate dogs, leading to itchiness, redness, and even hair loss.
Thankfully, several dye-free and hypoallergenic detergents are now on the market specifically designed for pets. If you suspect your dog is allergic to laundry detergent, switching to one of these products may help relieve their symptoms.
Of course, it’s always best to consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet’s care routine.