Every home is exposed to moisture throughout the day. This moisture can come from condensation, high humidity levels within the home, or leaks. Moisture is one of the most important requirements for mold growth.

Homeowners know that exposure to mold is bad, but mold often hides in innocuous places. The family dog can prove to be a valuable ally when it comes to alerting you to the presence of mold in your home.

If your dog starts exhibiting any of these tell-tale behaviors, contact a mold removal specialist for assistance.

1. Discharge

One of the ways that a dog's body will respond to mold exposure is with a mucous discharge from the eyes and nose. Mucous acts as a protective agent to keep harmful organisms out of the body.

The idea is that any mold spores traveling through the air will become lodged in the mucous discharge before your dog can inhale them into his or her body.

If your dog constantly has runny eyes and a runny nose, you need to have the animal seen by a vet. When a vet is unable to explain this discharge, it's time to have a mold removal specialist search your home for signs of mold.

2. Respiratory Distress

Your dog's breathing patterns can tell you a lot about the status of any mold growth in your home. Mold spores travel through the air before setting onto the hard surfaces in your home.

When exposed to these mold spores, a dog's immune system can overreact. You may notice that your dog is coughing and sneezing more than usual, showing signs of labored breathing, wheezing with each breath when you have mold in your home.

Any signs of respiratory distress in your dog could be an indication that mold is present. Have your dog treated and schedule a mold remediation service to protect your human family members against mold-related respiratory problems in the future.

3. Excessive Grooming

Dogs that have a severe mold allergy will be incredibly sensitive to exposure. Even a small amount of mold spores in the air could cause a dog to display excessive grooming behaviors.

The mold exposure triggers an allergic reaction, which can cause the skin to itch. Some dogs will bite, lick, and scratch themselves so vigorously that they develop open sores and begin losing their hair.

If your vet is unable to identify the underlying cause of your dog's excessive grooming, it's time to have a specialist clean the mold out of your home.