Dust mites – what they are, how to overcome them.

Dogs can be susceptible to many allergy reactions.  The difficulty about dust and house mite allergies is that these are in the house. So even if you don’t walk your dog much, even if you think keeping your dog inside is keeping them safe, these sources will get your dog.

The other point to consider is dogs are close to the ground (where dust can settle unless you clean regularly) and they can get attacked by dust mites in all their blankets.  These are some of the reasons that you should really understand if your dogs are suffering from these problems and how to solve it.

Dust can definitely be a problem for many dogs breathing, and the allergic reactions they can have to them, but dust is inert (dead).  So lets look at dust mites issues – noting that fixing for both will be discussed below.

DUST MITE ISSUES for dogs

Unlike pollen issues dust mites occur all year round.

Tell tales signs are that our of hay-fever and pollen seasons, your dog is sneezing and coughing regularly.  Its like they have asthma that isn’t going away. They will also likely have a skin rash issue where these insects are burrowing into them, and making them itch. Dust mites feed on dead skin of dogs and humans, so removing this, ie keeping your house and your dogs blankets etc very clean will reduce the chances of your dog getting over-run.

Your dogs reaction to the itchiness will be the same for many allergy causing sources:

• Ear infections (particularly if they have long ears and its a humid warm environment in there
• Chewing of feed and legs where the mites are active
• Scratching on ears, face and stomach, though anywhere really

SECONDARY DUST MITES ISSUES

Besides your dog wheezing etc from inhaling dust and dust mites.  Besides the mites crawling on your dogs skin and a potential allergic reaction to that, there is another main issue here.  It is the PROTEIN in the dust mite waste (feces) that causes a sensitively reaction to the dog.

Main areas dust Mites hide:

• blankets
• human bedding and mattresses (where human dead skin accumulates)
• dog bedding
• carpets
• upholstery in furniture

Perfect environment for dust mites

Dust MITES are often nocturnal (preferring little movement and dark to do their work).

Warm, humid environments (WHERE temperature are above 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 75 % humidity).  This is why dogs in humid locations within the country can suffer all year round.  or if you live in snow country and crank the heat up, and have a humidifier active.

STOPPING Dust mites affecting your dog

Remove dust and clean all areas thoroughly that get dust mites (ie bedding etc.)

Regularly vacuum and any surface for dust

Mattresses can be treated with chemicals to kill the mites, but make sure you dont get allergies to them. They can also be aired, put in sunlight and have mattress protectors on that dont allow your dead skin to seep into the mattress.

People also use HEPA filters on air-conditioning and heating and stop using humidifiers. but you need to use these filters exactly as the instructions say.

Treating your dogs bedding and your bedding with hot water washes with bleach and other insect killing treatments, giving them two washes in a row initially, can also help greatly.

Keep your dog out of high humidity rooms like bathrooms, laundries etc.