Think your dog has allergies?
Allergies in dogs can be caused by a variety of immune triggers, such as food, environmental pollutants, and insect bites.
If your dog is displaying symptoms of an allergy, it’s important to determine the cause in order to provide proper treatment.
Here are some common signs that may indicate your dog has allergies:
Skin irritation: It’s common for dogs to experience skin irritations due to their lifestyles frollicking in the gardens and public areas, and bushing up against an array of surfaces, however it can also be a symptom that your dog has allergies.
Allergies can cause skin irritation, which can manifest as redness, swelling, hot spots and even hair loss, especially in areas that have been excessively bitten or licked (1).
Sneezing and runny nose: Allergic reactions can cause congestion and a runny nose in dogs similar to when us humans experience allergies like hay fever (2)
Keep an eye out for clear or discolour nasal discharge, and in some cases breathing difficulties.
Diarrhea and vomiting: Food allergies in dogs can cause digestive symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. Studies show that that risk for certain inherited allergies can be attributed to specific purebred populations such as Great Danes, Standard poodles, Irish setters, Irish wolfhounds, Akitas, and German shepherds (3).
Ear infections. Ear infections in many cases are caused by allergies which can result in an overproduction of yeast or bacteria in the ears, leading to infection which can cause itchiness, redness and swelling, discharge and a foul smelling odor.
A common sign that your pooch may show when experiencing an ear infection is tilting their head or shaking their head excessively.
But don’t be disheartened because allergies in dogs can be treated.
Some common Natural treatments/remedies for allergies in dogs may include:
Dietary changes: If the cause of your dog’s allergy is food-related, switching to a hypoallergenic diet may help. Be sure to also look at what treats and chews you’re giving your dog.
A favourite of mine is Pet Botanica’s Bee Pollen which is loaded with high concentrations of living enzymes, vitamins and minerals which assist immunity building by helping nutrient absorption (4).
Another safe treat option which is gentle on a sore stomach is our Pet Botanica Sardines. They are also high in Protein, Omega 3 fatty acids and a natural source of vitamins and minerals.
Colloidal Silver: Colloidal silver is the equivalent of gold for your dog’s health! It’s an all-around pathogen fighter, and can be used to treat all kinds of common conditions and infections in your dog including: ear infections, cuts and scrapes, rashes, yeast infections, and eye conditions (5).
Allergen-specific immunotherapy: This involves exposing your dog to small amounts of the allergen in order to build up immunity over time.
Wipe your dog down after play time: To show their appreciation for the outdoors, our dog’s enjoy rolling and playing in anything they possibly can. The smellier the better, right?
In future, try wiping down their coats with a face washer or investing in some dog friendly wipes. This way, at the end of play time you can wipe your dog’s feet and coat down to help remove allergens before they spread throughout the house.
It’s important to keep in mind that managing allergies in dogs often requires a combination of treatments, and that the specific course of action will depend on the cause and severity of your dog’s symptoms. With proper treatment, most dogs can live comfortably with allergies.
At Pet Botanica we believe in the powerful ingredients of nature to support pet health and well-being.
Our goal is to provide and produce products for your fur babies that are natural, healthy, and overall wonderful for their well-being, making the choice easier for all fur-parents.
*This blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as the only health advice for your dog.
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Citations
- Bush, R. K., Wood, R. A., & Eggleston, P. A. (1998). Laboratory animal allergy. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 102(1), 99-112.
- André, A. M., & André, Z. H. (2011). Allergies to pets. R. Davis, Animals, Diseases, and Huma Health: Shaping Our Lives Now and in the Future, 1-12.
- Oberbauer, A. M., Belanger, J. M., Bellumori, T., Bannasch, D. L., & Famula, T. R. (2015). Ten inherited disorders in purebred dogs by functional breed groupings. Canine genetics and epidemiology, 2(1), 1-12.
- Ememe, M., & Ememe, C. (2017). Benefits of superfood and functional food for companion animals. Superfood and functional food: an overview of their processing and utilization. InTech, London, 309-322.
- Rizun, N. Blog How you can use colloidal silver?.
