Home Remedies for Dog Allergies to Try Today

By DogLovely Team

Having a dog with allergies is not uncommon and pet owners spend a lot of time and money visiting multiple vets to try and solve their dog’s allergy. Another great way, though, is to research home remedies for dog allergies. Allergies in dogs are manifested in different ways. Let’s explore together and brainstorm a solution for your pooch.

Some allergies cause itchy skin, while some other cause digestive problems such as diarrhoea. In most cases, these allergy symptoms can make life miserable for both you and your dog.

Needless to say, pharmaceutical companies have come up with quite a few ways to medicate dog allergies. However, you should always think twice before using any drugs blindly. If possible, always try to find the reason for your dog’s allergy so you can amend accordingly.

For mild allergic reactions you can always find natural home remedies for dog allergies.

Problems & Solutions

Allergies in dogs can manifest their symptoms in many ways. In fact, some allergies cause dermatological symptoms like itchy skin, poor coat condition, and chronic ear or foot infections.

While others, can affect the respiratory system, with coughing, sneezing, and/or wheezing. In other cases, allergies can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and chronic diarrhea. All these symptoms can be a result of different types of allergies.

Dog Food Allergy & Home Remedies

Most common food allergens for dogs are beef, dairy, wheat, egg, chicken, lamb, soy, pork, rabbit, and fish. And, dogs can be allergic to more than one thing at a time!

Take a note of the most common food allergens for dogs: beef, dairy, wheat, egg, chicken, lamb, soy, pork, rabbit, and fish!

The most common symptom in dogs with food allergies is itchy skin around the ears and paws, and this may be accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms. Even if you are buying high quality dog food, chances are that there are some ingredients that your dog is allergic to.

Elimination Diet Trial

Read the ingredients on the package of your dog’s food and change your dog’s diet by eliminating one ingredient at a time. This is called the Elimination Diet Trial

A holistic vet will be able to guide you better.

There are also specifically designed hypoallergenic prescription foods for dogs with food allergies. However, these off-the-shelf hypoallergenic dog foods are usually very starchy which makes them more likely to aggravate allergies or create other problems such as diabetes. In addition, most of these use low quality oils that easily go rancid, and many contain fillers like powdered cellulose! Just make sure to read the ingredients of the package and buy the best quality food you can afford.

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Home Prepared Dog Food

At this stage you should also consider if you can afford the time to prepare home cooked food for your dog. In this way you have more control of your dog’s nutritional intake.

Many holistic vets might also recommend a raw food diet for your dog to cure its allergies. In a way, this is also considered one of the home remedies for dog allergies.

Seasonal Allergies

Environmental allergens, such as dust and house dust mites, grass and weed pollen, and mould spores, can cause allergic reactions. In most cases, these allergens are seasonal, so your dog may only show signs of itching and scratching during certain times of the year. As with food allergies, the most commonly affected areas are the paws and ears but can also include the wrists, ankles, muzzle, underarms, groin, around the eyes, and in between the toes. Dander, feathers and cigarette smoke can also sometimes be a cause of seasonal, or rather, temporary allergies.

Flea bite Allergies

Flea bites can cause an allergic reaction in some dogs that are allergic to flea saliva. This allergic reaction makes the affected dogs extremely itchy, especially at the base of the tail. As a result, their skin may become red, inflamed, and scabbed from all the scratching and rubbing. So, if you see your dog scratching for no particular reason, always check him out for fleas.

Fleas might not be very visible if your dog has a long dark coat, but you can check for signs of fleas, such as flea dirt. Once you have confirmed that there are fleas present you can remedy and treat your dog and home against fleas to eliminate the allergy problem.

Why you should avoid conventional treatment

Allergies and their symptoms are the result of an improper hyper reactive immune response, so conventional treatments usually involve drugs that suppress your dog’s immune system. These medications usually involve steroids as well as anti-allergy drugs like Atopica or Apoquel. These are highly risky medications. They may reduce your dog’s allergy symptoms (maybe only temporarily), but since they suppress your dog’s immune response, they can also increase its susceptibility to serious life-threatening diseases like cancer.

Home Remedies for Dog Skin Allergies

So how to soothe your dog’s itchy skin and avoid excessive drugs? Natural home remedies are the least intrusive on your pet’s life. On the contrary, they are a safe way to alleviate your dog’s itchy skin. Here, we have prepared a list of home remedies for dog allergies that are very simple to follow. The ingredients are also easily found in everybody’s kitchen larder or bathroom supplies!

These remedies are all natural remedies that will reduce skin irritation, inflammation and infection. When you apply these remedies at home, your dog will get quick relief from the allergy symptoms and effects. Of course, you will also need to identify what is causing the allergy so you can remove your dog’s allergy completely. Let’s get started.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has healing properties that will reduce skin inflammation and infection while providing quick relief to itchy skin. It is one of the best natural remedies for skin allergies in dogs. You can also treat skin rashes in dogs due to food allergies with this remedy.

What you need:

• 4 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
• 2 cups Water
• Spray bottle

Preparation & Use:

1. Pour 4 tbsp of apple cider vinegar in the spray bottle.
2. Add 2 cups of water in it to dilute the apple cider vinegar.
3. Shake the spray bottle to mix the solution well.
4. Spray the solution 3 to 4 times a day on the affected skin of your dog.

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea has disinfectant properties. It will kill bacteria and yeast on the dog’s itchy skin. It also provides a soothing effect on the skin and reduces inflammation. This remedy can be used for all types of allergies in dogs.

What you need:

• 2-3 teabags Chamomile tea
• 2 cups Water
• Spray bottle

Preparation & Use:

1. Boil 2 cups of water in a pan.
2. Add 2-3 teabags of chamomile tea to the boiling water.
3. Stir the tea continuously for 2 minutes.
4. Filter the tea and let it cool down.
5. Pour the tea into a spray bottle.
6. Spray the solution on your dog’s itchy skin twice a day.

Coconut Oil

Lauric acid found in coconut oil decreases the development of yeast on the dog’s skin. It also kills any bacteria and keeps the skin hydrated. In addition, it reduces inflammation and provides relief from skin irritation.

What you need:

• 2 tbsp Coconut oil
• Cotton balls

Preparation & Use:

1. Place 2 tbsp of coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Heat it for 10 to 15 seconds until it becomes a liquid.
3. Dab the cotton balls in the liquid coconut oil.
4. Rub the cotton ball on the affected area of dog’s skin.
5. Apply twice a day to treat dogs with allergies.

Epsom Salt

Epsom salt will reduce any swelling caused by dog skin allergies. It will also speed up the healing process and treat your dog’s skin allergies efficiently.

What you need:

• 4 tsp Epsom Salt
• Warm water for dog bath

Preparation & Use:

1. Take 4 tsp of Epsom salt and add it to the warm bath water.
2. Mix well.
3. Let your dog soak its body in the solution for 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Wash your dog with warm water and mild soap.
5. Rinse your dog well.
6. You can repeat this twice a day to reduce the swelling and get rid of dog allergies.

Lemon Water

Using lemon water as a dog allergy remedy has many benefits. In fact, the vitamin C found in the lemon will boost the healing process for your dog’s itchy skin. It will get rid of any unpleasant skin odours and also get rid of fleas, since fleas are repelled by the citrus smell.

What you need:

• 2 Fresh lemons
• 2 cups Water
• Spray bottle

Preparation & Use:

1. Cut 2 fresh lemons and squeeze them to have lemon juice.
2. Pour the lemon juice in the spray bottle.
3. Dilute the lemon juice with 2 cups of water.
4. Mix the spray bottle well.
5. Spray the solution on the affected areas of your dog.
6. You can repeat the process twice daily to treat your dog’s allergy.

Oatmeal

Dogs with allergies will get immediate relief from their itchy skin after a bath with oatmeal solution. That is to say, that oatmeal will reduce your dog’s skin irritation and inflammation. It will also promote healing and speeds the process to treat wounds caused by skin allergies.

What you need:

• 1 cup Oatmeal
• Warm water for dog bath

Preparation & Use:

1. Grind one cup of oatmeal with a pestle & mortar(or buy oatmeal powder).
2. Mix about 4 tbsp of fine oatmeal powder in the warm bath water.
3. Let your dog soak its body in the solution for 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Wash your dog with the warm water. Do not use any soap.
5. You can give your dog an oatmeal bath once daily.

Conclusion

Our list of home remedies for dog allergies are a simple yet effective way how to soothe your dog’s itchy skin, moisturize it and heal any topical infection. These natural home remedies are also a great way to help reduce the unnecessary intake of drugs in our dog’s system when treating dog allergies. Of course, if symptoms persist or are too severe it is always advised to seek veterinary help immediately.

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