Cockapoos have become all the rage in the last decade. They are cute little fluffball dogs with endearing personalities. The motivation for originally breeding them was to try and pass on the poodle’s non-shedding coat. There were variable results on the allergenic potential of the dog, but what about the dogs themselves – do cockapoos have allergies to food and environmental allergens?
Cockapoos have variable allergy rates depending on genetics. Common environmental allergies include fleas, pollen, grass, house dust, and dust mites. Food allergies include beef, chicken, wheat, soy, tapioca, soy, pork, and dairy. Symptoms include skin, respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders.
Having your adorable little cockapoo scratching relentlessly is distressing and concerned owners will want to investigate the cause. Veterinarians can help to diagnose the underlying reason for the itchiness and if it is related to allergies.
What Are Cockapoos Allergic To?
identifying your dog’s allergens can be challenging. Skin testing in dogs is one of the best ways to determine what environmental allergens are triggering your cockapoo’s symptoms.
Veterinarians test allergens by sedating the dog and injecting minute quantities of various allergens into the cockapoo’s skin. After thirty to sixty minutes, the reaction is assessed and graded to determine if the dog has environmental allergies. This testing is not foolproof but can give some indications.
Cockapoos are allergic to many environmental allergens commonly found in all environments. These include house dust and dust mites. Many people may feel offended by this diagnosis, feeling that their houses are not dusty and dirty. It is almost impossible to eliminate all dust and dust mites from a home. It is a common allergen in both people and dogs.
Grasses and pollens are common outdoor allergens. These factors can sometimes be reduced by replacing and managing grass and removing high pollen-producing plants. Even if the homeowner goes to all these lengths, grass and pollen allergens cannot be totally eliminated. These allergens blow in on the wind from neighbouring areas.
Fleas are one of the most frequent causes of dermatitis in dogs, including cockapoos. Fleas bite dogs and inject a substance that prevents clotting while they get a blood meal from the dog. This anti-clotting factor can be severely irritating to allergic dogs. In addition, flea faeces and the feeling of fleas moving prompt dogs to scratch. This starts an itch-scratch cycle that perpetuates itself.
Cockapoos may also be allergic to other insect stings and bites. Like people, cockapoos with bee sting allergies have dramatic and life-threatening responses that must be attended to immediately by a veterinarian.
Common Cockapoo Food Allergies
Food allergies are best diagnosed by using dietary elimination trials. The cockapoo must eat a diet with limited ingredients for six to eight weeks. After this, ingredients may be added and the symptoms assessed.
Proteins that are common allergens include chicken, beef, and pork. These are typically found in most dog foods. Feeding a cockapoo allergic to these proteins involves using alternative novel proteins.
Novel proteins are meat sources that the dog has not encountered previously. Examples include duck, lamb, fish, game, rabbit, and ostrich. As these meats are harder to access, these diets tend to be more expensive.
Hydrolyzed chicken or beef may be included in some hypoallergenic diets for cockapoos. Hydrolyzed meats undergo a process where the protein particles are broken up so that the body cannot recognize them as an allergen. These diets have mixed success.
Other food allergens include wheat, soy, tapioca, and maize. Some dogs may be allergic to all grains and need a grain-free diet. Others may be allergic to only one carbohydrate found in dog foods. It is vital to identify the ingredients underlying the allergy.
Many dogs, including cockapoos, have an intolerance to dairy food. Be wary of giving cockapoos milk and other dairy products.
Cockapoo Allergy Symptoms
Environmental allergens give rise to the following symptoms:
- Itching causes scratching and licking.
- Licking the paws.
- Rubbing the muzzle on the ground and other surfaces.
- Red, inflamed skin.
- Rash, which is usually red.
- Raw lesions that may ooze.
- Dry, flaky skin.
- Secondary infections may result in pus or yellow crusty lesions.
- Sneezing and rhinitis (runny nose).
- Itchy red eyes.
- Ear Infections
Food allergies and intolerances give rise to these symptoms:
- Flatulence.
- Gastric reflux.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhoea may be continuous or occur in bouts.
- Some dogs do not have diarrhoea but may have soft, unformed stools.
- Difficulties with house training or toileting accidents in the house.
- Ear infections
- Dermatitis.
Other Reasons For Cockapoo Itching And Scratching
Cockapoos may be itchy and scratch themselves for reasons other than allergies.
Bacterial and fungal skin infections can cause itchiness and irritation. One of the common fungal culprits is a yeast or candida infection. This condition can be intensely itchy and often occurs in the ears. Folliculitis and impetigo are two bacterial infections that cause irritation and itchiness.
Ringworm is misnamed as it has nothing to do with worms. It is a fungal skin infection that is extremely itchy. It causes hair loss that begins in distinctive round patches. It can become extensive and result in major hair loss. People can catch ringworm from their cockapoos.
Cockapoos have floppy ears, which predispose them to ear infections. The discomfort will cause them to rub their heads and ears on surfaces and scratch them vigorously. Ear infections must be managed by a veterinarian.
There can be fungal and yeast infections concurrently, requiring both antibiotic and antifungal medication. Ear infections are painful and distressing for a cockapoo.
Cocker spaniels are prone to lip fold dermatitis, and they may pass this onto cockapoos. This condition occurs due to an infection in the deep folds around the mouth. The folds collect food and other debris, making an ideal environment for bacterial and fungal growth.
Lip fold dermatitis smells terrible, and some owners mistake it for bad breath. The area around the lip fold becomes red, irritated, and can even bleed in severe cases. It is unpleasant and painful for the dogs. They rub their faces and scratch at their mouths.
Lip fold dermatitis can be managed with cleaning and medication. If it constantly recurs and is difficult to manage, the veterinarian can do minor surgery to smooth out the lip fold. The surgery is generally very successful.
Mange mites and ticks also cause itching and scratching in cockapoos.
Poodles are prone to sebaceous adenitis and may pass this condition on to cockapoos. It is dry, scaly skin that results in excess dead skin and hair loss. It is typically seen along the dog’s topline. Treatment involves fatty acid supplements and medicated shampoos to remove the dead skin.
How Can I Avoid Allergies In Cockapoos?
Buying a cockapoo puppy from an ethically responsible breeder that only breeds from healthy dogs is essential. Parent dogs with allergies and skin disorders can pass these traits onto their offspring.
Choosing a puppy from healthy parent dogs improves the chances of having a cockapoo puppy that is not prone to allergies. Although allergies may still arise in the puppy, there is less chance of them occurring.
There have been no scientific studies documenting allergy rates in cockapoos. Anecdotal evidence from owners and veterinarians suggests that cockapoos have a higher rate of allergies than other breeds. Poodles have an increased incidence of allergies and pass this susceptibility on to puppies.
Therefore, breeders must ensure the parent dogs do not have allergies or skin disorders. Potential cockapoo buyers should ask about the health of the parent dogs and specifically about allergies.
Conclusion
Cockapoos are prone to environmental and food allergies. These allergies irritate their skin, respiratory and digestive systems.
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