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In many parts of the U.S., spring has sprung. And with the spring comes the flowers, blossoms, and pollen that make some people crazy with allergies. The itchy eyes, the runny nose, and the sneezing can make life pretty miserable unless you can find a good allergy medication.
Dr. Karen Becker Discusses How To Treat Allergies In Dogs
Yes – Dogs Can Have Allergies Too!
Did you know that your dog can suffer from allergies? Surprisingly, not every dog owner does.
Allergic reactions are common in certain breeds like terriers, setters, retrievers, pugs, and bulldogs, but any dog at any time can develop allergies to many different products or substances that cross his path.
Your dog can display several different symptoms with an allergy, such as:
- Itchy skin
- Red, irritated eyes
- Swollen paws
- Coughing, sneezing
- Runny nose
- Inflamed ears
- Oozing skin
- Gastrointestinal upset (gas, diarrhea, vomiting)
Of course, it can take time to discover exactly what’s causing the trouble. In fact, your dog might have several of these symptoms at one time, or she may only have one. Doing a little bit of research and careful observation can help make things a bit more understandable. Watching your dog after exposure to common allergens can be very telling.
When it comes to discovering what’s causing your dog so much trouble, some of the likely suspects include:
- Pollen (tree, grass, weed)
- Mold spores
- Feathers
- Perfumes
- Cleaning products
- Rubber and plastic
- Dust mites
- Fleas
- Cigarette smoke
- Food (beef, chicken, corn, wheat, soy)
People often think that a dog food allergy only causes GI issues, but it can actually cause many of the other symptoms listed above as well. Itchy skin is a big predictor of a dog food allergy, though certainly not the only one. If you believe that your dog is suffering from allergies of any kind, speak with your veterinarian to determine that best course of action to make her feel better. You might need to consider Dog Supplements For Allergies to help ease the discomfort of whatever is ailing your pup.
Discovering The Cause
To discover what your dog is allergic to, you’ll need to remove the potential allergens in your home. For example, if your dog is allergic to fleas, begin a flea control program before the season even begins. If dust mites are the culprit, be sure to clean and vacuum the carpets, bedding, curtains, and any other dusty material in the home twice a week. Giving your pooch a bath once a week can also help remove pollens and allergens from her skin. If a dog food allergy is causing her discomfort, a complete dietary overhaul might be in order.
Natural Dog Supplements For Allergies That Itch
If itchy skin is your pup’s problem, the Omeaga-3 fatty acids found in fish oils is one of the best Dog Supplements For Allergies to help reduce inflammation and lessen intensity. Though Omega-6 can be found in many different dog foods, Omega-3’s are the best.
- Amazing Nutritionals Omega-3 Fish Oil – Chewable Tablets. These are full of the omegas your dog needs for good skin, a shiny coat, and even good heart and joint support. Bonus: they’re bacon flavored!
- Zesty Paws Pure Salmon Oil – It’s made with pure, wild Alaskan salmon oil, which is a perfect source for omega-3 fatty acids to keep your dog’s skin clear and itch-free.
Coconut oil is another one of the Dog Supplements For Allergies that can be added to the diet. Not only can you add it to the food, but it can be applied directly to the skin to ease irritated and cracked skin or paw pads. If your dog is overweight, only use the topical application.
- Petpost Coconut Oil For Dogs – An organic option for topical use or oral ingestion that will relieve that dry, cracked, itchy skin. And if your dog doesn’t like it, they offer your money back.
- K9 Granola factory Coconut Crunchers – A real treat for your pup to chew on that’s made with pure organic coconut oil and other easy-to-digest ingredients. And no corn, wheat, or soy to worry about.
Dog Supplements For Allergies Caused By Seasonal Or Environmental Factors
Stop the sneezing, the runny noses, and the red eyes with Dog Supplements For Allergies in the spring, summer, or fall. Quercetin is a supplement that acts like a Benadryl for your dog by helping to block some of those histamines and reduce inflammation.
- Nutri-Vet Allerg-Eze Canine Chewables – With Quercetin as the first ingredient, this product is liver-flavored to go down easy.
- Vet’s Best Seasonal Allergy Support Supplements – Made with natural ingredients like nettle and perilla leaf, this product contains the National Animal Supplement Council Seal of Approval.
Two more suggested Dog Supplements For Allergies are bromelain and papain, which are proteolytic enzymes that come from pineapple and papaya. They can not only help your dog’s body absorb the quercetin, but they are also natural histamines.
- Fitapet Allergy Relief For Dogs – This one includes everything in one shot with the benefit of turmeric for inflammation reduction.
- Mercola Digestive Enzymes – Full of bromelain and papain, this powder will also help tummy troubles.
Dog Foods That Are Good Dog Supplements For Allergies
If you think that dog food is the allergy causing troublemaker, your vet will likely need to put your pet on a very specialized diet to rule out the actual allergen. You can work with a home cooked diet, or find a dog food brand that works for those with sensitive systems. Many of the brands on the market actually contain some of the Dog Supplements For Allergies that have been mentioned here. Many brands are free from soy, wheat, and corn (which are known allergens for some pets) and do not include any artificial colors or dyes. Some of the better brands that come highly recommended are:
- Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet
- Nature’s Variety Instinct Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Natural Balance Limited Ingredient – Potato & Duck Formula
- Hill’s Science Diet Adult Lamb Meal & Rice
- Whole Earth Farms Grain Free Turkey & Duck
Be sure that you choose one that works specifically for your dog’s allergy. For example, if your dog is allergic to chicken, choose a fish formula. If he is allergic to fish, choose a beef formula.
It might take a bit of trial and error, but giving your dog the right Dog Supplements For Allergies will be worth it to see her act like her old, healthy self again.
