Dog Allergy Treatment Methods

There are several dog allergy treatment methods we as dog owners should be aware of, so when and if Fido does develop an allergy, we can make an educated decision on the best course of treatment.

Like humans, dogs may also become sensitive to certain things and start developing typical allergic symptoms. In fact, one third of all dogs have allergic issues in their lives. These allergies can either be chronic or seasonal, but in either case, the responsible owner should find good methods for treating these allergies and easing their dog’s pain and irritation.

“Allergen” is a catch-all term used to describe things that cause allergic reactions in both humans and dogs. Allergens are basically substances that the immune system of the dog identifies as a foreign substance and reacts differently to it. They can be a wide variety of substances, such as dust, hair, chemicals, or pollen to name a few.  Humans usually experience runny noses, itchy skin and constant sneezing as allergic reactions. Dogs usually develop hotspots and have hair loss. They also experience a lot of itching and do a lot of chewing as their typical allergic reactions.

A dog allergy can be treated in many different ways, depending on the severity of it. Here is a list of the most commonly offered treatment by vets and animal experts for dogs that have allergies:

Dog Allergy Treatment Methods

• Immunotherapy – this is a vaccine that helps your dog’s immune system to stop being allergic to its allergens, because after all, allergies are caused by an identification mistake of the immune system. The usual treatment will work after a year or so, and as time passes, your dog’s allergy will slowly decrease.
• Corticosteroids – this is used for minimizing the inflammatory response of the body and the immune system. Corticosteroids are most often used as a desperation measure for a non-responsive allergy.
• Natural and homeopathic remedies – because home-made remedies are less expensive and have fewer side effects, these can work out well with your dog. Common treatments of this category include Epsom salt baths, colloidal oatmeal, medicated shampoos, and other cooling baths for your dog’s skin.
• Antihistamines – this is by far the most popular treatment for allergies, both in dogs and in humans. Antihistamines block allergens temporarily and give a quick relief for your dog. They are also the cheapest of all allergy treatments. Just be careful not to completely overdose your dog with antihistamines because if you do, there can be serious health problems (such as lethargy and behavioral change), or your dog will end up depending on the drug for life. Only give antihistamines at the worst case scenario of the allergy. Examples of antihistamines that you can use for your dog are: Benadryl, Atarax, Tavist, Seldane and Chlor-Trimeton.

Unless your dog is exhibiting extreme reactions, I wouldn’t hesitate to try some natural or homeopathic remedies for the first course of action.

Allergies, in both dogs and humans, can be prevented and lessened with the following simple tips:

• Clean up the house, especially your dog’s “special areas”. Having a clean and tidy environment keeps dust and other allergens away.
• Know what your dog is allergic to and keep him away from it. Different dogs have different allergens, just like people, so it is up to you to determine what it is, because it can lessen his allergic reactions.
• Consult your vet for more tips and tricks. Your vet knows best when it comes to pet health and you may ask him which type of treatment works best for your dog.

Any allergy, whether chronic or seasonal, is a very annoying thing for both dogs and humans. This is why we should also consider the fact that dogs are also annoyed and need to be treated when they get skin allergies due to certain irritants, as much as how we need relief when we sneeze a lot after getting a snoot full of dust.

Keep these dog allergy treatment methods in mind when your dog starts showing symptoms, and start treating it quickly for best results.

Do you have any special methods you have used successfully? If so, please comment below, and feel free to share these methods below with other dog lovers you know.