Just like humans, our four-legged friends are susceptible to allergies that can significantly affect their quality of life. Allergies can be caused by various sources, including food ingredients, their environmental elements such as pollen or dust, and common pests like fleas. Understanding these causes and your dog’s responses is a great way to provide effective preventative care and relief when things get out of hand.
Food allergies can be associated with common foods found in dog ingredients, mainly protein sources such as beef, chicken, dairy, or wheat. Symptoms may include skin rashes, itching, gastrointestinal issues, and chronic ear infections.
Pollen, mould, dust mites, and other airborne allergens can lead to atopic dermatitis. Symptoms may be noticed by a dog excessively scratching, nibbling, or licking their paws, belly, and ears.
A single flea bite can trigger an intense allergic reaction in sensitive dogs, leading to severe itching, redness, and subsequently skin infections.
So what exactly can we do to fix these problems?:
In addressing allergies, it will certainly help to adopt a holistic strategy and treat the problem from as many angles as possible. Here are some examples:
Introducing a hypoallergenic diet can help eliminate and identify your pet's food allergens. First of all eliminate all the sources of food known to cause allergens listed above and replace the with novel foods that your pooch hasn’t been overly exposed to.
Good sources include Venison, Duck, Rabbit and Fish (Salmon or Whitefish). Fish is especially a good choice as it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids which helps control inflammatory responses and improves your dog’s skin health.
Easily digestible sources include Sweet potatoes, Tapioca, Green Peas and Oats.
Incorporate a variety of fruits and vegetables for added nutrients and fibre. These can include Blueberries, Apples (without seeds), Carrots and Spinach.
Include sources of healthy fats in the diet for skin and coat health. Suitable options include: Flaxseed oil, Coconut oil, Fish oil (rich in omega-3 fatty acids)
Cleaning regularly can help reduce dust in your home, as well as using air purifiers to minimise exposure to environmental allergens. Additionally, choosing natural, non-toxic cleaning products can prevent irritation or completely remove cleaning products from the floor with thorough rinsing with clean water.
By incorporating medical dog shampoos and skin conditioning products infused with ingredients known for their soothing and healing properties. Ingredients such as Dragons Blood, Ceramides and Evening Primrose Oil can provide immediate relief to irritated skin, while herbal extracts like German Chamomile and Rhodiola can offer adaptogenic properties for the immune response, reducing inflammation and irritability.
Implementing a natural flea control regimen is critical for dogs with flea allergy dermatitis. Products that include natural repellents that can safely and effectively reduce the risk of flea infestations without harsh chemicals.
Each dog is unique, and their response to allergens can vary significantly. It’s essential to observe your dog closely and, by process of elimination, identify the specific causes and tailor a treatment plan that suits their individual needs.
At The Animal Alchemist, we believe in empowering pet owners with knowledge and providing natural, effective solutions to enhance the well-being of their canine companions. By understanding the intricacies of dog allergies and adopting a holistic approach to management, we can make significant strides in improving the lives of our beloved pets.
The Animal Alchemist – Brad Jewitt
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