Why does my dog get hives after a bath

Dog Hives (Urticaria | welts): Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

What Are Dog Hives (Urticaria)?

Hives, otherwise known as urticaria by medical professionals, are one abnormality you may see. They occur when your dog is allergic to something, such as an insect, medication, or food. Recognizing hives in dogs and understanding the cause is essential to relieving your dogs discomfort and preventing dog hives in the future.

What do dog hives look like?

• Dog hives look like raised bumps on the skin, usually about the size of a nickel.
• Hives are usually red in color; however, you may not notice redness if they are on a very furry part of your dog. In this case, your pets hives may only look like fur-covered bumps. Sometimes, its difficult to see the raised bumps, and you may only feel them when petting your dog.
• Dog hives can appear anywhere on the body, including the face, tongue, neck, legs, chest, abdomen, or back. They can affect just one area of the body or the entire body.
• Dog hives are very itchy. This may be the first thing you notice before seeing or feeling hives on your dogs skin. Your dog will likely be trying to scratch, lick, or bite the areas affected as it will be itchy.
• Hives usually happen very fast within minutes after exposure to whatever caused them.
• You may notice excessive drooling and a swollen/puffy face if the hives affect your dogs throat or mouth.

What causes hives on a dog?

Dog hives are almost always related to exposure to an allergen. Once exposed to an allergen, mast cells in your dogs body release a substance called histamine. Histamine causes blood vessels to dilate, which leads to raised welts on your dogs skin.

The most common allergens causing dog hives include:

• Insect bite or sting, or ingesting an insect (photo recommendation: dog playing with bee)
• Vaccinations
• Acute allergic reactions to medications (chemotherapy, vitamin K, antibiotics)
• Food allergies
• Environmental allergies (grasses, trees, mold, dust mites, etc.)
• Contact allergens such as shampoos, insecticides, cleaning products
• Ingesting or skin exposure to toxic plants

Much less common causes of hives in dogs include prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures (hot or cold), strenuous exercise, parasites, or significant psychological stress.

Insect bites/stings, food, and medications are the most common causes of hives in dogs.

How are dog hives diagnosed?

As a pet parent, it can be worrisome to see these skin rashes, but luckily, for your vet to diagnose your dogs hives. Your vet will use a combination of your history and their physical examination findings.

Its essential to think about anything new your dog may have been exposed to. Did you see them playing with a bee? Were they recently vaccinated? Did they start a new medication or a new food? During the physical exam, your veterinarian will look at your dogs skin to evaluate hives and where the hives are located.

If your veterinarian is having trouble diagnosing your dogs hives or the reason for their hives, they may perform additional diagnostics, such as blood work, skin cytology, skin scrapings, or fecal analysis.

How to treat & get rid of dog hives?

Treatment for hives in dogs can be simple or more extensive, depending on the cause, severity, and duration of the allergic reaction.

To get your dog quick relief from the swelling and itchiness related to hives, your veterinarian will usually administer an injection of diphenhydramine (an antihistamine) and a corticosteroid. Once your dog is feeling better and discharged from the hospital, your veterinarian may also recommend that you continue giving your dog Benadryl two to three times a day at home for a couple of days.

To prevent hives from reoccurring, you need to understand what caused them in the first place so that you can avoid the allergen in the future. If there is no apparent cause for your dogs hives (such as insect bite, medication, or vaccinations), it may be more challenging to understand how to prevent hives in the future. Environmental and dietary allergies are two possible causes of hives that may require further diagnostics and treatment.

Environmental allergies

If your dog has recurrent hives or has other signs of allergies, your veterinarian may recommend testing for environmental allergies with serum allergy testing or intradermal allergy testing. With these results, your veterinarian can create a plan to desensitize your dog to these allergies with allergen-specific immunotherapy.

If you determine that you cannot eliminate the allergens in your dogs environment or pursue allergen-specific immunotherapy treatment, your veterinarian may recommend:

• Giving your dog daily antihistamines (such as Benadryl, zyrtec, or hydroxyzine)
• Giving your dog other prescription-strength allergy medications such as apoquel or cytopoint
• Starting daily skin health supplements, such as omega-three fatty acids.
• Frequently bathing your dog with medicated high-quality shampoo

Food allergies

Allergies that stem from food can also cause recurrent episodes of hives in dogs. The most common cause of allergies in dogs include chicken, beef, dairy, and egg 2. Recurrent episodes of hives can also be related to dietary allergies. To diagnose a food allergy, your veterinarian may recommend a diet trial for 6-8 weeks with a prescription food or an over-the-counter diet with a different protein source, like fish or venison. If your dog responds positively to a food trial, you can continue the special diet long term.

Are dog hives dangerous?

Dog hives are rarely life-threatening. However, there are a few less common situations where hives can affect your dogs breathing and become dangerous.

• Hives in the face, neck, or throat can cause severe swelling that impacts breathing, which can become life-threatening.
• The presence of hives anywhere may indicate your dog is having or about to have an anaphylactic reaction, which causes constriction of airways and difficulty breathing. 3 Besides hives, other signs of anaphylaxis include vomiting, diarrhea, facial swelling, drooling, blue gum color, and collapse.

If you notice that your dog has hives, pay particular attention to how they are breathing and for any other concerning changes in their behavior. If you are concerned your dog may be having severe allergic reactions, take them to the emergency room immediately to rule out a medical emergency.

At-home remedies for dog hives

If possible, take your dog to the veterinarian if you notice they have hives, especially if this is a first-time problem. If your dog chronically or intermittently has hives and the issue has previously been discussed with a veterinarian, some at-home remedies may help relieve the allergic reaction.

• If the hives are not affecting your dogs face, neck, throat, or ability to swallow, you can administer Benadryl by mouth. Always discuss if this is appropriate for your dog with your veterinarian first and receive instructions about dosage and frequency.
• If the hives were caused by a contact allergen (such as grasses/trees or chemicals) or insect bites you can help relieve itchiness by bathing with a gentle oatmeal-based dog shampoo can help your dog feel more comfortable.
• Apply a cold compress to the hives or the most severely affected areas of your dogs skin. Be careful never to apply a cold compress for more than 10 minutes at one time, and always wrap the ice or cold object in a towel before applying it to your dogs skin.

Why Do Dogs Get the Zoomies After a Bath? (+How to Calm!)

Why do dogs get the zoomies after a bath? Today, well explore the quirky yet common phenomenon of dogs going crazy after bath time and turning into a whirlwind of energy, diving into the reasons behind this behavior and what you can do to help calm them down by using commands (which well teach you) and treating the root issue.

Well also cover how to manage the post-bath frenzy, why dogs hate baths, and why they might display aggression or excessive happiness afterward. Is your dog rubbing themselves on everything in sight after a bath, or do they seem upset? Well address these behaviors too, giving you a full understanding of whats going on in your dogs mind. Keep reading!

Why Do Dogs Get the Zoomies After a Bath?

Dogs get the zoomies after a bath due to a combination of relief, excitement, and the physical sensation of being wet. Bath time can be a stressful or unusual experience for many dogs. The sudden burst of energy and frantic running known as the zoomies is a way for them to release pent-up tension and return to their comfortable state. Additionally, the sensation of water on their fur, along with the process of drying off, can also trigger this playful and seemingly wild behavior.

Dog Gets Zoomies After Bath: What to Do

If your dog gets the zoomies after a bath, its important to ensure they have a safe space to express this energy. Make sure the area is free of obstacles where they could hurt themselves. Allowing them to run around in a secure, enclosed outdoor space or a large room in your house can help them burn off this excess energy safely.

Zoomies After Bath: Stop With Stay Command

The Stay command helps manage the zoomies by teaching your dog self-control and calmness. Its a useful command for situations where you need your dog to remain in place and not give in to their impulses.

1. Begin in a quiet environment with no distractions. Have your dog sit or lie down, then give the command Stay.
2. Take a step back. If they stay put, reward them with a treat and praise. If not, go back to step one.
3. Gradually increase the distance and duration of the Stay, rewarding your dog each time they succeed.

Dog Goes Crazy After Bath: Calm With Settle Command

The Settle command is beneficial as it teaches your dog to relax and calm down on cue, which is especially useful when theyre overexcited.

1. Start in a calm environment. Wait for a moment when your dog is lying down and relaxed, then say Settle and give them a treat.
2. Practice this regularly, using the command Settle each time your dog naturally settles down.
3. Once your dog starts to associate the command with the action, use it during moments of excitement. Reward them for calming down after hearing the command.

Dogs get the zoomies after a bath as a natural response to the sensations and stress associated with bathing. Managing this behavior can be done through training commands like stay and settle, ensuring your dogs safety, and helping them to associate bath time with positive and calm experiences.

Its important to remember, though, that the underlying behavioral issues (lack of impulse control, anxiety, fear, etc.) that were causing all of this to begin with will still be present. And until you address those, any positive changes you see will only be temporary.

Well, how do I make these changes last?

By getting your dog to truly choose to follow your direction, thats how. I tried many times to write out how you can do that before deciding it made more sense to just link you to the free video series that explains it better than Id ever be able to.

The series is by a man named Dan who is one of the worlds leading dog obedience trainers. In it, he teaches you how to put an end to things like your dog getting the zoomies after a bath and all other misbehavior using his fast and easy-to-follow methods.

In the first video, Dan will reveal to you why the two most common methods of dog training only doom you to failure. You can watch the video now by clicking here. Follow the proven system hell show you in his series and youll never have to spend another second worrying about your dog going crazy after baths ever again!

Why Do Dogs Go Crazy After Bath?

Dogs go crazy after a bath due to a mix of relief and discomfort. The sensation of being wet and the smells of shampoo can overstimulate their senses, leading to a burst of energy or the zoomies. This behavior is often their way of expelling the stress and anxiety associated with baths. Additionally, the act of shaking off water or rolling around could be an attempt to get rid of unfamiliar scents and return to their natural state.

Why Do Dogs Hate Baths?

Dogs hate baths for various reasons. Many dogs dislike the sensation of water, while others may feel insecure or stressed by the confinement of a bathtub or the sound of running water. The unfamiliarity of bath products and the process of being handled or restrained during bath time can also contribute to their discomfort and anxiety.

Why Does My Dog Attack My Other Dog After a Bath?

Your dog attacks your other dog after a bath due to heightened excitement or stress. The overstimulation from the bath experience can lead to erratic behavior, including aggression or barking at other dogs in the household. The settle command can be very helpful here; you can learn it now in the first section.

This reaction could also be a misplaced way of expressing their discomfort or an attempt to reestablish dominance or social order after feeling vulnerable during the bath.

Why Are Dogs Aggressive After Baths?

Dogs are aggressive after baths primarily due to the stress and anxiety they experience during the bathing process. Feeling confined, having their natural scent masked by shampoo, and the overall unfamiliarity of the situation can lead to a defensive or aggressive response.

In summary, dogs may go crazy after a bath due to the combination of relief from stress, overstimulation, and attempts to regain comfort. Addressing their fears, providing a calm environment, and understanding their behavior are key to managing and reducing this post-bath frenzy.

Dog After Bath Behavior

Dog after-bath behavior often includes a variety of actions like rubbing themselves on surfaces, shaking off water, and running around energetically. These behaviors stem from their instinctual need to dry off, remove the unfamiliar scent of shampoos or soaps, and relieve the stress experienced during the bath.

Why Do Dogs Rub Themselves After a Bath?

Dogs rub themselves after a bath to get rid of the water and any unfamiliar scents left by shampoos or soaps. This behavior is instinctual and helps them return to their natural scent, which is a significant part of their identity and comfort.

Additionally, rubbing against surfaces can help them dry off quicker and feel more in control after the restrictive nature of bath time.

Dog Mad After Bath

A dog might appear mad or frustrated after a bath due to discomfort or stress. The sensations of being wet, confined, and handled can be unsettling for many dogs. This frustration can manifest as aggressive rubbing, shaking, or even temporary changes in behavior. The settle command will help here. Learn it now in the first section.

Recognizing and addressing the root cause of this discomfort is crucial in reducing post-bath stress.

Why Are Dogs So Happy After a Bath?

Dogs are so happy after a bath often because they feel relieved that the experience is over. The act of shaking off water, running around, and playing post-bath can be expressions of joy and a way to release any pent-up energy or stress.

For some dogs, the attention and pampering they receive during and after the bath can also be a source of happiness.

In conclusion, a dogs behavior after a bath is influenced by their instinctual habits, reaction to unfamiliar experiences, and overall temperament. Understanding these factors and providing a comfortable bathing environment can help make the experience more pleasant for both the dog and the owner.

Im sure youre ready to begin now that you have all of your questions about dogs and the zoomies answered, so Ill let you get going on things. Good luck, and thanks for taking a look at our article Why Do Dogs Get the Zoomies After a Bath? (+How to Calm!).