If you’ve ever watched your dog scratch, lick, or chew at themselves and wished you could take their discomfort away, then you understand how heartbreaking allergies can be.
For me, this journey has been especially difficult because Tarzan is not just a dog. He was my first dog, my soul dog, and the one who completely changed my life. He has been with me through so much, so seeing him uncomfortable has been one of the hardest things.
For a while, we managed Tarzan’s itching with Cytopoint injections. They helped give him relief, and I was grateful to have something that made him more comfortable. But as a dog mom, I couldn’t stop wondering: what is causing this in the first place?
Cytopoint helped manage his symptoms, but I wanted to learn more about his triggers and what might be causing his flare-ups. This summer, I decided to start paying closer attention and become a detective for my own dog.
Was it grass? Something in his environment? A product we were using? Something else?
I started watching for patterns — when he scratched, where the irritation showed up, and what changes seemed to make a difference.
Tarzan started dealing with itchy areas on his belly, armpits, paws, and legs. He would scratch and lick so much that some areas became irritated. Seeing him uncomfortable was frustrating because our dogs can’t tell us what’s wrong — we have to learn their language and pay attention to the little things.
I started trying different ways to support his skin and keep him comfortable. I purchased dog-safe wipes, a skin spray, and hydrocortisone cream made specifically for dogs to help soothe irritated areas. I also focused on keeping his paws clean after walks and paying attention to what might be triggering his reactions.
Some things helped temporarily, while other things made me question what was really going on. The biggest thing I’ve learned is that there isn’t always one simple answer when it comes to allergies. Every dog is different, and finding what works can take patience, time, and a lot of love.
Tarzan’s allergy journey has taught me that caring for a dog is so much more than food, walks, and cuddles. It means advocating for them, paying attention, and continuing to search for ways to help them feel their best.
I’m sharing our story because I know we are not the only ones. So many dog parents know the feeling of watching their pup struggle and wishing they could fix it overnight.
We are still learning, still trying new things, and still doing everything we can to help Tarzan feel comfortable and happy.
Because that’s what we do for our pups. We never stop trying. 🐾
— Paloma and Her Pups
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