Making Sense Of All The Home Remedies For Dog Allergies
Learning how to treat dog allergies naturally takes time and patience.
My hope is that if you are reading this article, your dogs allergies are somewhat new and that using natural remedies for your dogs allergies will reward you and your pet with decreased itching and diminished allergies over time.
Even with some of my rescued dogs, whose allergies have had years and years to become firmly entrenched in their systems, Ive had a number of them who improved more each year as their health and immune system grew stronger from a healthy diet and supplements.
When treating dog allergies, home remedies take time to be effective. Owners need to remember that there is no quick fix for allergies: it may take weeks, or even months, until you start to see positive results.
Natural allergy treatment for dogs requires dedication, willingness, patience, and financial commitment to experiment with different therapies until you find a solution.
For those of you who want to read more and like having a good reference book in the house, this book will help you understand what is causing your dogs itching and gives ideas for different diets as well:
The Allergic Pet: Holistic Solutions to End the Allergy Epidemic in Our Dogs and Cats
Through the trial and error of different home remedies for dog allergies, and the slow and steady progress it will support, you can help your dog become healthier, and hopefully, allergy-free.
Now for the best part of all: tell me your stories.
Naturally,
Signs Its Time To Call The Vet Rather Than Use A Stop Dog Itching Home Remedy
Dont let your dog suffer. If they’re itching like crazy, chewing the affected area, or there are clear signs of a skin infection, seek professional advice immediately. The vet will want to take skin scrapings to look for mites, bacteria, or yeast. Bear in mind that some pets need treatment for the rest of their lives to keep the itching under control.
Front Of The Pack’s Soothe supplement is a targeted itch and gut support that contains post-biotics that have been clinically tested on dogs and shown to support healthy, clear skin, a strong gut, healthy microbiome as well as a healthy immune response. If your dog needs some itch relief, Soothe could be the answer.
Stick To A Daily Grooming Schedule
Sometimes, even just a simple thing like brushing your dog every day can have a large impact on his skin condition. Not only does regular grooming help gets rid of loose hair, dirt, and dander, but it also helps improve poor blood circulation, which can lead to itchiness.
Be sure to wipe your dog down with a towel after every walk to remove allergens that may have been collected on his coat.
Furthermore, a quick brush each day can prevent knots and tangles, which are also very irritating and uncomfortable.
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Chamomile And Herbal Tea Soaks
Chamomile, calendula, and green tea all have skin-soothing properties.
Make a soak using these tea bags and let the soak apply to your dog’s skin for ten to twenty minutes.
If your dog is itchy all over, you can fill up a tub with warm water and let several tea bags soak for a few minutes. Then, remove the tea bags and bathe your dog for at least five minutes.
What Can I Give My Pet To Stop Itching From Allergies
The best way to help your pet stop itching is to visit your veterinarian they will be able to determine the cause of your pets itching and treat it in the appropriate manner.
Depending on the cause of your pets itching, the various itch remedies on the market may not be suitable and could make the problem worse. Avoid purchasing such items before knowing the cause of the problem, or without the go-ahead of a veterinarian.
With the go-ahead of your veterinarian, there are a few home itch-relief remedies that could help allergy-related itching in your pet
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Dog Itching But No Fleas: Heres What You Should Do
Parasites are only some of the reasons why dogs itch. If you suspect that something is biting your dog, causing them to itch, take them to the vet.
Ask your vet for advice on the best way to keep parasites at bay. This will also give your vet the opportunity to see whether there is a different reason your dog has itchy skin.
What Should I Feed My Dog With Itchy Skin
For dogs, scratching is a normal and essential element of grooming, just like licking and chewing. But what do you do when your dog just wont stop scratching?
This behavior can be motivated by anxiety or boredom, or it may have a clearer physical cause. In either case, constant scratching is a sign your dog is trying to relieve some irritation theyre experiencing, so its important to try to pin down the source of that discomfort.
Whether its a pest, an allergy, or a behavioral tic, getting to the source of the problem is the first step toward effectively alleviating your dogs discomfort.
What causes itchy skin in dogs?
The most common causes of itching in dogs include parasites like fleas and ticks, allergies, skin disorders, stress, and hormonal imbalances. Lets dive into each of them one by one.
Fleas and ticks: Fleas are common nuisances that can live for up to a year and reproduce rapidly. Theyre parasitic creatures, needing a host to live on, so the ASPCA advises human companions to check their dogs body for tiny dark or white specks in their coat. These are often most prevalent on a dogs abdomen, near the base of the tail and around their neck. Patches of missing fur, scabs, and extra-sensitive hot spots are also resulting symptoms. Tapeworms, which are typically discovered in your pups stool, are another sign your dog likely has a flea problem, as dogs usually get tapeworms from ingesting an infected flea during grooming.
When to visit the vet
Also Check: Are Allergies Viral Or Bacterial
How To Stop Dog Itching Caused By Allergens
Dogs can suffer from allergies just as humans do. Dogs are prone to seasonal allergies, food allergies, and skin allergies called contact dermatitis.
All of these allergies can manifest as itching skin.
The problem is that once your dog begins to lick or scratch a patch of skin, dermatitis becomes worse from the excess moisture that causes the skin to crack and bleed.
If you try the following steps to eliminate allergies but your dog is still biting, scratching, and licking a certain spot, ask your vet for advice.
Your dog may need a prescription steroid cream and a neck collar to allow the spot to heal.
- Switch your dog to hypoallergenic food for a few months to see if the skin clears up. Many dogs are allergic to ingredients in dog food that makes them itchy.
- Stop using scented products on your dog. Just like humans, many dogs have sensitive skin that flares up from fragrances in soap and shampoo. Use an unscented or hypoallergenic shampoo to wash your dog.
- Launder your dogs bedding with scent-free detergent. Often dog bedding is filthy which causes them to itch from bacteria, parasites, dirt, and allergens in the bedding.
- Buy your dog a new bed. If you cant wash your dogs bedding, buy a new, washable bed so you can keep it clean in the future.
Reducing The Likelihood Of Contact Allergies Recurring
There are some measures you can do to minimise contact allergies:
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What Causes Dog Allergies
Dogs secrete proteins that end up in their dander , saliva, and urine. An allergic reaction occurs when a sensitive persons immune system reacts abnormally to the usually harmless proteins. Different breeds produce different dander, so its possible to be more allergic to some dogs than others.
The allergen eventually finds its way into the animals fur. From there, it collects in carpets, on clothing, on walls, and between couch cushions. The pet hair itself is not an allergen, but the hair can hold dust and dander.
Pet dander can remain airborne for long periods of time as well. It can eventually find its way into your eyes or lungs.
The symptoms of a dog allergy may range from mild to severe. Symptoms may not appear for several days after exposure in people with low sensitivity.
Some clues you may be allergic to dogs include:
- swelling and itching in the membranes of the nose or around the eyes
- redness of the skin after being licked by a dog
- coughing, shortness of breath, or wheezing within 15 to 30 minutes of exposure to allergens
- rash on the face, neck, or chest
- a severe asthma attack
Children with dog allergies will often develop eczema in addition to the above symptoms. Eczema is a painful inflammation of the skin.
People used to believe that exposing a newborn to the family dog could cause a child to develop a pet allergy. Thankfully for dog owners, the opposite appears to be true. Several studies in the past few years including one published in the
Dogs Keep Itching Due To Bacterial And Fungal Skin Infections
Dogs who keep itching but dont have fleas or mites are more likely to have a skin infection. These infections may be bacterial or might be fungal. Yeast infections may also be a culprit for some itching in dogs.
These types of skin infections have a wide variety of causes and other related symptoms, but they all share itching in common. They are also somewhat difficult to treat depending on the cause, and they can be tricky to get rid of because your dog will be prone to licking and chewing while she heals.
Dogs who are being treated for bacterial or fungal skin infections may be given a round of antibiotics by the vet or your vet will recommend a topical therapy method, such as using certain shampoos, mousse or creams. They may also have to wear a cone collar in some instances. This collar will help prevent the dog from chewing or licking the affected skin and causing the infection to worsen or spread. The collar will likely only need to be worn for a few days, since the antibiotics will help stop the spread of the infection after your dog takes them for a while.
However, your vet will give you all the information you need regarding your dogs infection treatment.
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Do Dogs React To Poison Ivy
Short answer: Dogs can get poison ivy, but its not likely. As always, wed advise using caution and avoiding the plant altogether. Also, note that while dogs rarely develop a rash from poison ivy, they may spread the oils to you if they roll around in the plants.
Id be lying if all this talk of fleas and dry skin hasnt left me feeling a little scratchy! Do you guys and gals get this? I guess now we know how the dogs are feeling!
We hope this article has answered a few questions and that you can soothe your pup with some of our tips. Be sure to let us know about your experiences with itchy canine skin in the comments and share any questions you may have too!
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Try Apple Cider Vinegar
Organic, raw, unfiltered apple cider offers many benefits to dogs suffering from allergies. If your dog has hot spots or itchy skin, you can apply a 50/50 solution of apple cider vinegar and water to your dog. Put the solution in a spray bottle for easy use. This same spray will help repel fleas and ticks a common allergen for many dogs. You can also use it to clean out your dogs ears. The acidity of the mixture makes for an environment that yeast cant live in and yeast infections are typically caused by allergies. Make sure that the acidity isnt too strong for your dog some prefer a different mixture than the 50/50 suggested.
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Pick The Right Dog Bed
Consider purchasing foam dog beds, as they are less likely to harbor common allergens, such as dust mites. Replace dog beds yearly, regardless of material. In case of environmental allergies, wash dog bed covers weekly with a detergent free of fragrance and dye. Place a hypoallergenic liner on pet beds.
Food Allergies Can Make A Dog Keep Itching
Finally, some food allergies can cause skin irritation in dogs. Dogs may be more prone to developing skin rashes, infections, and hives when they have an allergy to an ingredient in their food. Your vet will be able to diagnose your dogs itching if it is a food allergy.
From there, you should be ready to change your dogs food and potentially try several options before you figure out what shes allergic to and which type of food is best for her. Putting your dog on a high-quality food without the ingredient shes allergic to will resolve this problem with no medication.
However, its important to note that food allergies in dogs are very rare, which is why its important to see a vet so they can get to the true root of why your dog keeps itching.
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Heres Why Your Dog Keeps Itching
Does your dog keep itching? Do you notice her rubbing her face and body on the floor or furniture, only to stop and scratch her itchy skin with her claws instead? If you have an overly itchy dog, there are many problems that can contribute to this problem. Whatever the cause might be, its important to figure that out and help your dog get the treatment she needs to stop itching and feel better fast.
In this article, well explain some of the most common reasons why your dog keeps itching. Youll be able to look through this information and figure out which might be the most applicable to your dogs situation. Dont forget to speak to your vet about these concerns and bring up what you think the problem might be as well.
Apple Cider Vinegar For Itchy Dogs
- Apple cider vinegar is a natural, safe soother for especially dry, itchy skin. The antiseptic and antifungal nature of apple cider vinegar makes it a great form of relief from poison ivy but NOT on raw or opened skin. If your dog has itched their skin raw, this solution will sting the exposed wound.
- To avoid getting vinegar in any open cuts, fill a spray bottle with 50% water and 50% apple cider vinegar to target affected areas. If your dog walked through a patch of poison ivy, oak, or sumac, soak their paws in the solution for up to five minutes.
Also Check: Can Seasonal Allergies Cause Gerd
When To Go To The Vet
Sometimes you cant treat dog allergies at home, which is when you should take your pet to the vet. It can happen if the reaction is severe and/or persistent. If your dog is starting to choke and has difficulty breathing call your vet immediately.
Other symptoms that might require your vets attention include:
- Yeast infections These are characterized by a repulsive, foughty smell.
- Wounds If your pets scratched itself and created a wound, its best if your vet gives you a prescription topical to avoid infections.
- Scratching for more than a week If none of the dog itching remedies is helping and the scratching continues, that might be a sign of a more severe condition like an autoimmune disease.
- Hairfall It might be a sign of an immune system problem.
How To Help Dog Allergies
Since allergies in dogs are relatively common, there are many ways you can treat dog allergies at home without going to see your vet. However, if your dog’s condition worsens despite your efforts, you may consider dog allergy medicine.
Keep in mind that medicine will bring unwanted side effects, so I usually recommend natural remedies.
Dog allergies are also referred to as dog skin allergies since they often result in skin irritation. Keep reading to find out which remedies work exceptionally well for skin irritation!
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Why Your Dog Is So Itchy: Allergies
Another common cause of itchy skin is allergies, which may make your dogâs skin dry, greasy, or slightly dry and oily it may be accompanied by frequent scratching, paw licking, or chewing. We are seeing significantly more cases of allergic dogs than we have in the past, and many veterinarians believe that we are experiencing an âallergy epidemic.â The reason is unclear, but some theories are the aggressive vaccination protocols that many dogs have been subjected to, poor breeding practices, and the feeding of processed pet foods.
Whatever the cause, allergies are difficult to address. In the worst cases, afflicted dogs require strong pharmaceuticals just to get some relief. Though allergies are rarely cured, early identification and intervention can keep them under control, and in some cases, can substantially diminish them.
Clinical research has shown that one important way to reduce the likelihood that dogs will develop allergies is to give them high-potency cultures of beneficial probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus bifidus when they are very young. Probiotics are relatively inexpensive, absolutely safe to use, and can save both dog and pet parent tons of grief â and visits to the vet â later in life.
