Dog allergies are caused by a hypersensitivity to allergens. In turn the dog’s immune system responds in order to try and fight these foreign particles. These can be house dust and outdoor dust mites, pollens and grass, molds and mildew as well as many other irritants. The most common allergies are caused by inhalation of allergens. There are food allergies, flea bite allergies and bacterial infestations. There are several home remedies for dog allergies.
A dog that has an allergy will usually show signs of skin diseases as well as nasal problems. Dogs can also have a runny nose, itchy eyes and runny eyes. They can be wheezing, sneezing and coughing. Some dogs may vomit along and have diarrhea as well as loss of appetite due to allergic reactions. Dogs that are three and older are far more prone to allergies. In order to diagnose an allergy the vet will conduct blood and stool tests as well as analyze the symptoms.
There are several choices of medications such as the conventional remedies which include antibiotics, steroids, anti histamines, anti inflammatory drugs and cortisone. Those that do not approve of conventional treatments can use home remedies for dog allergies. There are some common remedies used, such as an Epsom salts soak for your dog’s feet. Let the dog stand in the water for around ten minutes or more. Do not allow the dog to drink the water as they will get diarrhea.
If the dog is suffering from an allergy due to flea bites or other insect bites make a paste from baking soda and water. Apply it to the affected areas as this will soothe the bites or stings. You can also add garlic to your dog’s food as it helps to control fleas.
You can also use Vitamin E oil if your dog has a dry itchy skin. You can rub this oil directly onto the affected area as well as add a teaspoon of oil a week to the dog’s food. If the dog has mites in their ears, soak a cotton ball in mineral oil and clean the ear gently as well as the ear canal.
Itchy skin is usually dry and needs to be hydrated, so you can also make use of fish oil which helps to produce essential oils in the skin. There are capsules as well as pure fish oil available which can be added to the dog’s food three times a week. If the dog has suffered from excessive hair loss one can rub castor oil onto the affected areas. Home remedies for dog allergies, such as flax seed oil which provides omega 3 fatty acids, are good for treating allergies.
When it comes to remedies for dog allergies one can also soothe the itching by giving the dog an oatmeal bath as this provides a cooling sensation. You can also make an oatmeal paste and rub it onto the affected areas and leave for around fifteen minutes before rinsing it off. Just do not overuse this form of home treatment.