Is your dog scratching itself all the time? Are you a first-timer dealing with pet allergies? Don’t fret! Allergies in dogs are so common. But it becomes concerning when not treated or left to heal on its own. In this article, we will be talking about dogs with allergies. If your dog is experiencing allergies for the first time and you are clueless about what can I give my dog for allergies, we understand your worry, and therefore we bring you the causes and the remedies to help you deal with it intelligently.
What are the Causes of Dog Allergies?
To help your dog with potential allergic reactions, it is of utmost importance for you to equip some knowledge of its causes. Dog skin allergies are either caused by environmental factors or are genetically passed. Let us dive more into it-
1. Environmental Factors
One of the easy allergy sources for dogs is our environment. Such factors may be classified into environmental allergies in dogs, food, and flea allergies.
a. Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis or more commonly called environmental allergies. Its usual signs of allergies in dogs are chronic itching. Exposure to the allergens like pollens from certain trees, grass, dust, house mites, etc., causes allergies to your dog. Due to its seasonal nature, your dog might show signs when a particular season is on the run. For instance, they might scratch more than nth times during winter and early spring (January-April) or late spring (late April- July), depending upon the source of the pollens and causes dog seasonal allergies.
b. Food Allergies
As its name suggests, your dog can be allergic to certain foods, or in other words, they might have a food intolerance. Some of the dog allergy symptoms that surface are bloated face, itchiness, etc. Gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting may tag along. Food trials are another way to As its name suggests, your dog can be allergic to certain foods, or in other words, they might have a food intolerance. The symptoms that surface is a bloated face, itchiness, etc. Gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting may tag along. Food trials are another way to determine whether your dog is allergic to certain foods. Determine whether your dog is allergic to certain foods.
c. Flea Allergies
Fleas are parasites that feed off through the host. Like any other parasite, fleas breed onto dogs’ skin sucking their blood. Dogs with flea bites can get symptoms like hair loss, severe non-stop itching, red patches of skin, etc. The results of fleabites are scathing as they might lead to health conditions under the concern of anemia or infections like tapeworms. At such situations it is recommend to use the best flea tick repellent for dogs.
2. Inherited Allergies
Certain dogs are more prone to catch allergies than others due to their genetic lineage. But then also, your dog would not show any signs of allergic reactions unless it comes in direct contact with the potential allergen. While some dogs that are born with allergies have a more visible representation of it. Like pores in their skin, thus making it easier for allergens to attack. The summation of hereditary allergy and environmental factors altogether lead to the evolution of their itching problem. It is also seen more often in breeds like Labradors, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Poodles, etc., to name a few.
When to Do Dog Allergy Test?
Usually, diagnosing dog allergies are done only when there are serious symptoms of a dog with allergies which are progressing with time. There are various dog allergy tests that are readily available to be done to determine its veracity. The most common test known for diagnosis is – Intradermal allergy testing and blood allergy testing. The former is carried out by injecting tiny doses of approximately 60 allergens into the dog’s skin. We must note that the results are not definitive. The later test too may vary in results nevertheless is performed to calculate the number of antibodies the dog’s body has created to fight the attacker.
What Can I Give My Dog for Allergies?
If your dog is suffering from allergies, there are a few things you can do to help ease their symptoms. One of the first things you can do is to give them a bath with an anti-itch shampoo. Such a solution is one of the best home remedies for skin allergies in dogs. This will help to soothe their skin and relieve some of the itching. There are other options available for you. You can start treating dog allergies with various over-the-counter medicines or can opt for home remedies. You can also try using a humidifier in your home, as this can help to keep their skin from drying out and becoming irritated. If your dog’s allergies are severe, you may need to consult with a veterinarian. They can prescribe medication that will help to ease your dog’s symptoms. In some cases, allergy shots may be necessary.
How to Treat Dog Allergies With Over-the-Counter Options?
If you want to treat the pets with over the counter allergy medicine for dogs, you can use the extensively used ones. We will mention a few medications for you to know how to treat dog allergies, which include:
1. Antihistamines
One of the best antihistamine for dogs with skin allergies is Benadryl, available in drugstores. Vets also use these due to their effectiveness in easing the symptoms. It is suggested that the dosage should be given 1mg per pound bodyweight of your dog by mouth. In case, Diphenhydramine does not show any positive signs, and there are other options like chlorpheniramine, clemastine, cetirizine, etc. You can also stock them, if need be, to give quick relief for your pets. Like other dog allergy medicines, they might have some side effects like drowsiness which works in their favour, but if it persists longer than required, it is better if you take the say of your vet in this matter.
2. Probiotics
Bacteria are good if they are probiotics. In other words, they are the good bacteria having a face-off with bad bacteria keeping us and animals healthy. Similarly, probiotics in dogs too help them stand stronger with gastrointestinal effects. Giving probiotic dog treats to your furry friend can help minimize the inflammation which primarily triggers illnesses like allergies. It is believed that a bad gut can lead to allergies in your dog. Purina Pro Plan FortiFlora, Doggie Dailies Probiotics for Dogs, Nusentia Probiotics Miracle Dog, and Pet Ultimate Probiotics for Dogs are some probiotics you can give to your dog. Sometimes, probiotics are all that is lacking in your dog’s diet to promote its health.
3. Anti-allergic Cleansing Product
Anti-allergic products can be used before or after bathing as they clean the infected area keeping allergies at bay. Pet wipes like TropiClean OxyMed Soothing Relief Wipes for Pets are best known for preventing allergies in dogs. Your dog might need a more hygienic routine and can do just fine with mere rubs of these anti-allergic wipes in their affected areas. Shampoos that have allergy prevention properties are also a must-have product. Veterinary shampoos like Virbac Epi-Soothe Shampoo and Cream Rinse are made to reduce the irritation of your dog’s skin. Other shampoos include Vet’s Best Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo for dogs, Nootie Medicated Anti-itch Dog Shampoo, etc.
Home Remedies for Dogs with Allergies
Worrying on how to treat dog allergies? You can always rely upon home remedies, too, if you want to help your dog for the time being. We have listed four remedies below that have proved helpful to dogs with allergies. They are-
1) Probiotics
We are well aware of probiotics now and probiotic products available in the market. Other than that, probiotics are probably lying around your house if you don’t want to make a purchase. Yogurt is a great supplement of probiotics, and one of the best dog food for allergies. They are packed with calcium and protein. Any plain yogurt or Greek Yogurt would benefit your dog. But remember that no sugar or other elements are added to it. Always go for plain Yogurt when adding to your dog’s food. Another probiotic on our list is garlic. Garlic works as a medicinal plant for several major diseases. You can give one clove of garlic if you have a large dog. If your dog is smaller, try feeding it half the garlic clove. Do not overfeed the amount of garlic because it will do more harm than good.
2) Apple Cider Vinegar
Does this product even need a description? Of course not. Numerous health benefits and results have made this vinegar an alternative for relieving allergy symptoms in dogs. You can soak a piece of cotton with it and dab it on the infected area of your dog. Or you can use a diluted solution and spray it onto your dog’s skin without touching it. Remember to avoid their fluffy furs and focus on the affected area. The vinegar will most likely give off an unpleasant smell, so you can give your dog a bath after applying it.
3) Vitamin E and Fish Oil Capsules
These capsules are normally used to treat a deficiency of vitamin E in our bodies and make one more fit and healthy. But it is most commonly used for skin and hair issues. Many online videos exhibit several ways to apply this supplement to our faces and hair to restore them. Likewise, vitamin E and fish oil capsules for dogs can be beneficial to your canine. You can apply them to your dog’s skin by breaking a capsule and directly applying it to the reddened area. Or you can include these pills in your pet’s diet to make it more strong.
4) Chamomile Tea
This tea has many health benefits. Chamomile tea has more to it than just a refreshment intake. It has a reputation for being a treatment agent for many health diseases. It is on the rise because of its effective results. Your dog, too, can be a beneficiary of this tea. Veterinarians use it to relax the gut inflammation in dogs to treat tummy distress. You can make your dog consume this tea orally or even apply it to their skin where they need the most attention. Spraying or putting their paws in a tub of chamomile tea can ease their itchiness.
Conclusion
That said, some people resort to observing the symptoms at home and avoid the circumstances that avail the condition of their pet. In turn, it does help some dogs with their problem while some still struggle for proper treatment and care. So, you must visit a vet if major allergies are there.