Home Remedies for Managing Various Dog Allergies
Like humans, dogs are also prone to irritants if we aren’t cautious about their environment or the food we feed them. Since pets can only communicate with us through their body language, it’s crucial to observe and understand how they feel. You also have to be observant about the physical symptoms of an allergic reaction they experience. This article gives you some fantastic home remedies that help treat dog allergies.
Food allergies
If your pet has eaten something that doesn’t agree with his or her digestive system, watch out for reactions like vomiting and diarrhea. Here are a few home remedies for food allergies in dogs:
Coconut oil
This ingredient is an answer to a wide variety of issues! Coconut oil works as a holistic treatment option as it alleviates not just food allergies in your dog but also takes care of itchy skin. The lauric acid in this oil helps inhibit yeast production in dogs, which causes itching and irritation. Your dog can also benefit from the healthy fat content in coconut oil.
Do remember to slowly introduce coconut oil into your pet’s food by starting with around a quarter tablespoon and then increasing the amount to a whole tablespoon. Notice how your dog likes this new addition and accordingly add to meals every day. If you see your pet responding well to this home treatment, you can increase it according to their body mass index: one teaspoon per 10 pounds or one tablespoon to 30 pounds.
Oil of fatty fish
The meat of fish like salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids rich in anti-inflammatory properties. Specifically, eicosapentaenoic acid in oil supplements of fatty fish proves to be exceptionally healthy for dogs. These fish-oil supplements are readily available, but make sure to speak to your veterinarian before introducing them to your dog’s meal plan.
Take a supplement capsule and pierce a tiny hole to let a bit of the fish oil seep out. Mix this oil in your dog’s food and feed it to them. While it is completely safe to give this home remedy to your dog to prevent any allergies, always consider your veterinarian’s opinion first. Don’t forget to check how your dog is responding to this new addition.
Skin allergies
These ingredients serve as great home remedies for itchy skin in dogs:
Baking soda
This natural remedy is effective and fast-acting! Baking soda easily helps soothe itchy and inflamed skin. Just mix a tablespoon of baking soda with some water to get a paste-like consistency. Apply this paste to the areas of the dog’s skin where they feel itchy. Leave this paste on for a couple of hours and wash it off with water.
Make sure that your dog doesn’t lick the paste mix off, which means you’ll have to be a bit vigilant for some time. While ingesting baking soda in small amounts won’t be harmful, we recommend being precautious. When the paste dries up, it may chip around the house; fret not, as it isn’t toxic and can be easily cleaned.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is well-known for its versatile healing properties. Fortunately, this plant works wonders not only for humans but for dogs as well! The gel inside aloe vera is one of the best home remedies for dog allergies as it immediately reduces skin itchiness and irritation.
Cut a leaf of aloe vera and extract the gel from within it. Use only the transparent part of the gel and not any orange or yellowish contents. You will probably have to grind the gel or use a fork to give it a smooth consistency. Apply this gel twice a day to the affected regions of your dog’s skin. This remedy is bound to provide instant relief!
Oatmeal
Baths may not be the most favorite part of your dog’s activities, but oatmeal baths are known to reduce dog allergies like skin irritation and inflammation. If your pet dislikes baths, applying an oatmeal shampoo and rinsing it off should suffice to clean their fur coat and skin. If they do enjoy baths, grind a cup of unflavored no-preservative oatmeal into powder. Mix this powder in bath water and let your dog sit in it for some time.
You can try making a homemade oatmeal shampoo by mixing powdered oatmeal with some coconut oil to make a paste. Generously apply this paste to your dog’s coat and skin. Wash this mix off with a mild shampoo that does not irritate your dog’s skin after the paste sits for half an hour. If your dog suffers from a yeast infection, do not use this ingredient as a remedy for their skin allergies.
Respiratory allergies
Respiratory issues can be harsh and need to be promptly addressed by a veterinarian. Common reactions seen in dogs include sneezing, wheezing, and coughing.
Quercetin-rich foods
After careful diagnosis and with the doctor’s approval, you can introduce quercetin-rich foods into your dog’s meals. This flavonoid is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antihistamine properties. Studies have shown that these foods help in asthma issues or other allergic respiratory reactions. Foods like kale, raw spinach, blueberries, cranberries (in small quantities), and elderberries are all safe and can be added to meals.
Home remedies for dog allergies are helpful, but if you see any severe reactions, immediately get the symptoms diagnosed and treated by a professional. Some cases may need special care; hence, it is critical to get a doctor’s opinion. Once there is a go-ahead from the veterinarian, these home remedies help alleviate symptoms and help them feel better.
