Can Stress Make Your Dog’s Allergies Worse?

 

URGENT MEDICAL ALLERT

 Prepare Yourself: Seriously THIS IS NOT FOR THE FAINT AT HEART!

You know me, always poking the bear and making controversial statements! 

 

So, at the risk of offending a large number of you, here’s my theory:

I have noticed over the decades that overly pampered, yappy little lapdogs that are treated like Barbie dolls- with their own personalised beds and collars and clothing and a “sissy Princess type lifestyle”  are INFINITELY more likely to have a vaccine or injection reactions or food sensitivities or  to develop skin allergies and food sensitivities! 

 

There I said it so go ahead and deny it to your own peril.

And so you know, nature did not create these fragile brittle little canines, – their owners did!

 

Instinctively you know, even the daintiest little Yorkie or Chihuahuas were bred to be warriors. 

They too need a job in life that makes them feel they are doing something useful.

Sure, their enemies are not lions and tigers, but they were bred to chase rabbits and rodents down their burrow holes.

 

I have observed a jackall in the wild, with an honest broken leg, hobbling behind the pack, during a hunt, because they know – it’s either work or it’s time to die. There is no option of an entitled sleep on the couch a little longer while the others contribute. And guess what, he did not have time to waste on chewing his paws or pulling out his hair! He had a job to do.

 

Now along comes a well meaning, but misinformed parent figure, who confuses training and parenting skills with permissive behavior – and there you have it! 

 

Fifi never touches the ground, she is carried around on a pillow and pushed around in a baby stroller. That creates a very horrible misunderstanding in Fifi’s head. They no longer believe they have an important job in this household – to provide dinner and chase away vermin- no matter how unpleasant that might be. 

Giving them a feeling of “entitlement” as opposed to: “ I have to EARN my love”, is a horribly cruel thing to do.

 

Dogs raised with a purpose in life, have self confidence and  a willingness to please their owners. Not become sniveling, driveling, entitled little useless ankle biters that pee on the floor every time they see a new person. Their brain has nothing better to do but sit and worry about the anxieties and stresses in life.

 

The antidote to depression and anxiety is to give your dog a JOB (preferably involving EXERCISE!)

 

He needs to learn what to do to EARN praises from you, not just get it willy-nilly. That is the best tranquilizer nature has to offer, the opportunity to be a useful contributor. A well trained dog will jump through a ring of fire and take a bullet for you, not cringe on the couch and wet the bed in fear.

 

Such owners are the ones that die a quiet death inside, when their pet gets an injection or needs a stool sample taken or heaven forbid, needs to be dropped off for a procedure out of the eyesight of the owner.  They are the ones that ooze with stress signals that the dog picks up on – that is the root cause of hyperimmune responses.

 

OK, I know, I am exaggerating a little to make a point, but surely you recognise yourself a little in these behaviours?

 

Most people are not that extreme with their pets, but how about this: 

 

“Oh doc I put the medicine in some cheese and threw it on the floor and he didn’t run over and devour it, so I stopped’ Heaven forbid, you actually teach yourself how to pill a dog so you can avoid this “enabling circus”

 

Or “Doc. I tried putting on that skin medicine but he didn’t like it …. So I stopped.”

 

Or if you are required to change the diet after feeding your dog junk food for 12 years,, you give it about 15 minutes and if he doesn’t devour the new food, you give up. This is the beginning of enabling behaviour

 

Permissive parenting is the mistaken notion that you have to get permission from him to do anything that benefits him –  and if he does not immediately love it, you give up. 

 

NO! You do what is BEST for them,…. not nicest!

 

And guess what, these confident dogs will have FAR fewer diseases and allergic reactions- trust me.

 

……

 

A fact that is well known in human medicine: When people get stressed, their asthma or eczema often flares up. Guess what? Dogs aren’t so different. While stress doesn’t cause allergies, it can definitely pour gas on the fire. (Actually I believe stressful signals from the owners CAN cause allergies)

How it works:

  • Stress hormones (think doggie cortisol) make the skin barrier weaker and the immune system crankier.

     

  • An anxious or bored dog may scratch, lick, or chew more than they need to, turning a minor itch into a major hot spot.

     

  • The more they itch → the more they stress → the more they itch. It’s a vicious cycle.

     

What you can do:

  • Enrichment & routine: Puzzle feeders, chew toys, walks, and predictable schedules calm nerves. Change this into a job by making them wear a weighted harness or carrying an object like a newspaper.

     

  • Spa-style relaxation: Massage, laser therapy, even a cozy peanut-butter-Kong + blanket session can help your pup’s whole system settle down …. But ONLY after they EARN IT by doing a JOB!.

     

  • Natural helpers: Some calming herbs or mushroom blends can support both mood and immune balance, but confidence comes from following orders!.

     

  • Medical care: Of course, we’ll still treat the allergies directly with proper tests, diet, and meds when needed — stress management is the bonus layer.

     

✅ Take-home: A calmer dog is often a less itchy dog. Managing stress doesn’t replace good allergy medicine, but it makes the medicine work better and helps your pet feel more comfortable overall.

Talk later,

Sincerely,

Dr. Albert Nelmapius