If you are looking for a treatment option for your dog’s allergies, you have come to the right place! A first step may be to check out the best dog food for allergies. Additionally, we have listed some home remedies for allergies and some types of allergy medicine for dogs if you are looking for further treatment options for your beloved pet.
Us humans aren’t the only ones who suffer from allergies. Many dogs experience allergies just like we do. You may be looking to switch your dog food because of a suspicion that a food allergy is the cause of your dog’s suffering. However, it’s important to know that most dogs with allergies are allergic to particles transmitted in the air, not food. Despite this, switching your dog food may provide your furry friend with some relief.
In any case, if your dog is suffering from mild to severe allergies, first talk to your vet. Every dog is different and your vet will know which treatment option is best.
Dog food
Our Senior Veterinary Geneticist Dr. Erin Chu recommends Hill’s Derm Defense as a dog food option for dogs suffering from environmental allergies. Hill’s Derm Defense helps to manage your dog’s environmental allergies to triggers such as fleas, pollen, and dust. It has a high level of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids which are common in the treatment of environmental allergies in dogs. According to the product description, the dog food helps to promote healthy skin growth and strengthen the skin barrier. This is a prescription diet, so you should visit your vet before use.
It is commonly assumed that dogs with food allergies are allergic to grains. However, according to the Cumming Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University, most dogs who are allergic to their dog food react to the protein present, not the carbohydrates. From there a lot of dogs respond really well to a limited ingredient diet or hydrolyzed protein diet.
Home remedies
Dogs with seasonal allergies may find much relief by giving them weekly baths and/or daily wipe downs, according to Dr. Chu. This can alleviate some of your dog’s discomfort by removing a lot of the excess particles from the air that linger on their skin and trigger their allergies.
If you are looking for a topical treatment, The Complete Holistic Dog Book: Home Health Care for our Canine Companions suggests using a dog shampoo that contains aloe vera or oatmeal. According to the book, aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties and oatmeal has been proven to soothe itchy skin. You can incorporate these ingredients into your normal shampooing routine, or you can look into purchasing a shampoo that already includes these ingredients.
“The fact is, many home remedies that work for humans might not be safe for dogs. If you’re thinking of using a home remedy, talk to your vet and other quality resources for what’s safe–and not safe!–for your pup. The ASPCA Poison Hotline can be reached 24 hours a day and provides accurate and timely information on what foods and remedies are safe for your dog,” Dr. Chu explained.
Allergy medicine
If you think your dog has allergies, take him or her to the vet right away. Apoquel is recommended by Dr. Chu as a prescription medication that may be effective in treating your dog’s severe environmental allergies. It is an oral medication that can be used in dogs 12 months and older. According to their website, Apoquel is effective in reducing the itch and inflammation caused by allergens in the air.
Along with these more commonly prescribed medications, keep in mind that there are other therapies that could work for your pet.
Additionally, dogs with seasonal allergies might benefit from antihistamine therapy. Antihistamines work by blocking the histamine receptors, which in turn prevent allergy symptoms in your dog. However, Dr. Chu suggests speaking with your vet before choosing this treatment option because you never know what your dog will react poorly to. If approved, your vet may prescribe an antihistamine therapy. They may also recommend an over-the-counter antihistamine therapy such as Zyrtec or Benadryl.
It’s important to remember that allergies may not be the cause of your dog’s itchy or red skin; there are other causes that you should talk to your vet about.
We enjoy writing these articles and sharing valuable information to help you and your pup. However, keep in mind that there’s no substitute for taking your pup to the vet if you’re concerned about them.
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