5 Ways to help dogs with allergies

Does your dog have allergies? Doggie allergies come in all types, from itching and hotspots to reactions to certain foods, and can make your fur baby downright miserable. But did you know there are thing you can do right now to help your dog find relief?

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5 Things to Help Dogs with Allergies Right Now

An allergy occurs when the body identifies a harmless substance as a threat and reacts to protect itself. Some allergies can be life threatening, such as anaphylactic allergies where the body swells and jeopardizes the ability to breath or function normally. Other allergies often present as irritations meant to get you to avoid the allergy-causing substance. In people, this can include itching, rashes, sneezing, runny noses, redness, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, or other uncomfortable symptoms.

Allergies in dogs are very similar, and can result in chewing of the paws or legs, vomiting, itching, rashes, hair loss, hotspots, irritability, sneezing, diarrhea, scabbed areas, runny nose or eyes, or even snoring.

The first step in treating any allergy in your dog is to try to identify the source of the allergen. It could be something as simple as using the wrong doggie shampoo or as complex as a food allergy. Since your dog can’t tell you what the problem, we usually have to be detectives and find the allergy through the process of elimination.

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1. Be a detective. Do a mental checklist of anything new you’ve exposed your dog to around the time his symptoms started. If you changed shampoos or switched flea medicines, those are good places to start. But keep in mind, your dog can develop an allergy to something he previously did not have difficulty with before, as his immune system is constantly changing to keep your dog healthy. Try switching to all-natural doggie products and talk to your veterinarian about popular flea and tick prevention options that are gentle on your dog’s system.
2. Look for pests. Check his bedding and fur for pests. An allergy to fleas is a very common reaction in dogs, and can even result in the loss of hair. Even if your dog gets monthly flea prevention, you should still check him regularly for fleas, ticks, and ear mites. These pests are common sources of irritation for pets and even dogs who get regular preventative treatments can have problems with pests.
3. Treat his symptoms. Ask your veterinarian about giving your dog an allergy medicine, like an antihistamine, to treat his symptoms until you can find the cause. Some veterinarians will also recommend over the counter people medicines for his diarrhea or vomiting from allergies. If he’s miserable, you’re going to be miserable, too and it could take several weeks to find the source of his allergies.
4. Eliminate the common suspects. Keep your dog away from common allergens such as weedy grass, plastics, flowers, cleaning products, perfumes, cigarettes, cats, and molds. Watch his symptoms closely and if you notice an improvement in his symptoms, you can narrow down your list to find the culprit.
5. Change his food. Many dogs develop allergies to a particular food or food additive, even if they’ve eaten the same dog food for a long period. One of the best ways to help your dog combat food allergies is to feed him an organic, raw foods diet. Eating raw eliminates many allergy-causing substances like preservatives, dyes, grains, and meat by-products. A raw food diet rich in OMEGA oils can help reduce your dog’s allergic reactions and leave with a healthier, happier dog.

If you’re looking to make the switch to raw foods for your dog, check out TruDog’s FEED ME varieties. FEED ME contains all the raw meat your dog needs to stay healthy, without the added chemicals and fillers that can make sensitive dogs sick. Freeze-dried raw meat is easy to prepare, doesn’t require refrigeration, and provides a powerful nutritive advantage for your dog.

This Article Was Brought To You By The Fine Folks At TruDog.com:

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About The Author:

Lori R Taylor lives in Cincinnati, Ohio and is the founder of TruDog. After losing her beloved Great Dane, Truman, to cancer, Lori was devastated and determined to help dogs live longer. She created the TruDog Nutrition System (TDNS), an amazing suite of veterinarian approved, all natural products, designed to help your dog live longer. This article is dedicated Truman and all the dogs who heal our hearts and make us whole. May your legacy be the light that saves the world.

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