I started this series because I kept seeing ads & commercials about dogs & cats with allergies, but noone talks about finding the source, just drugging up our pets. If you can find the source & can eliminate it from your pets environment or diet then that is the best thing you can do. As I said in my previous post (#36) that my dog Hunter was having ear infections & my Veterinarian thought it was food related. I did an elimination diet & slowly added in things & figured out he is allergic to coconut. It is often in higher quality treats, foods & recommended due to its benefits. I read labels & stick with single ingredients or foods & treats without coconut such as these pure beef liver treats https://amzn.to/4lKWiZ4 which I have never met a dog who didn’t like this treat.
My previous post # 36 will give you some additional ideas of things you can do to help eliminate allergens from your pets environment or diet.
If your dog or cat has allergies that you can’t eliminate then I am going to give you some natural relief remedies to try. I have 10 Natural/homeopathic/Integrative books I use to reference a variety of things. The first book I will reference is full of a lot of options of natural ways to treat allergies & many other ailments in dogs & cats. https://amzn.to/4lMuHa0 More details of how to use these remedies can be found in this book. I will give some details, but too much to cover. Many of these remedies have multiple uses. You can also consult a Holistic/Integrative Veterinarian.
- Colostrum/Lactoferrin (has shown to have therapeutic uses for food allergies).
- Dandelion: Should not be used in pets receiving hypoglycemic therapy as it may lower blood sugar.
- Echinacea: has strong immune-stimulating properties (liquid form recommended).
- Enzymes: (has shown to have therapeutic uses for allergies).
- Feverfew: Use dried herb only. Do not use in pregnant pets could cause miscarriage.
- German Chamomile (topical & herbal rinse).
- Ginkgo: Do not use in animals with clotting disorders or pregnant animals.
- Lavender (herbal rinse) External use, NOT for internal use.
- Licorice (is a herbal anti-inflammatory) (topical & herbal rinse)
- MSM (100-200 mg twice daily for small dogs & cats -mixed into food, has a bitter taste).
- Nettle: some pets may be sensitive to.
- Oregon Grape (Topical or herbal rinse) Do not use in diabetic, liver disease, or pregnant pets.
- Peppermint (herbal rinse) Undiluted oil should not be used.
- Uva Ursi: (herbal rinse)
- Agrimony
- Cherry Plum
- Chestnut Bud
- Chicory
- Crab Apple (excessive licking, grooming)
- Olive
- Vervain
- Walnut
As you can tell already there are a number of things you can use naturally to help pets that have allergies. You have options to use versus drugs/medicines, that over time can cause other health issues & don’t solve the issue they just blanket it.
The next book I reference is New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs & Cats by Amy D. Shojai & The editors of Prevention for Pets
- Calendula Ointment to calm the skin: An herbal preparation that quickly relieves itching caused by allergies says Adriana Sagrera DVM a holistic Vet In New Orleans. Apply a thin coat of ointment 2-3 times a day to the area the pet is itching.
- Echinacea: to strengthen the immune system, Sandra Priest DVM in Tennessee recommends adding two to four drops of echinacea extract to an ounce of spring water & putting a dropper full in your pets mouth once a day or every other day. If environmental allergies it works best before allergies actually start in early spring or before pollen hits the air.
- Vitamins C & E: help the body fight inflammation that accompanies allergic reactions. Dose: dogs & cats under 20 lbs 250 milligrams of Vitamin C (preferably in the form of sodium ascorbate)a day during allergy season. Pets over 15 lbs 500-1000milligrams a day. Says Cheryl Schwartz DVM in San Francisco. Vit E 50 IU for dogs or cats weighing less than 10 lbs. 200 IU for pets 10-40 lbs, & 400 IU for pets over 40 lbs. Once a day with food during allergy season. Don’t give to dogs with high blood pressure before consulting an Integrative or Holistic Veterinarian.
- Essential Fats: Such as flaxseed oil or fish oil (from wild caught fish).
- Flower Essences : combination of agrimony,cherry plum, crab apple, olive, & walnut says Wanda Vockeroth DVM in Canada. To prepare: 2-3 drops of each essence in a one once dropper bottle & fill with spring or purified water. Give pet a dropperful of mixture 2 times a day. You can also apply directly to hot spots on pets skin.
- Change their water to distilled for 6-8 weeks to detoxify them then switch to filtered water. I use a Brita pitcher & their best filter. https://amzn.to/4jJcW9Q
The next remedies comes from a well-known author in the natural world of treating Pets CJ Puotinen book: Natural Remedies for Dogs & Cats https://amzn.to/4319n9g
- Bee Pollen: for environmental allergies (some pets could be allergic) start small & before allergy season starts. Dosing is spelled out in this book
The next book I referenced is: The complete Idiot’s Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats https://amzn.to/3S9Gn96 You can find more details & dosing in this book.
- Acupressure: for allergies. I use acupressure to help my dog not to get car sick & it helps.
- Sulphur: dermatitis, flea allergies, & mange.
- Nettle: make into a tea, its a natural antihistamine.
- Arsenicum Albus: homeopathic remedy
- Forica rufe: homeopathic remedy
- Alfalfa: herbal remedy
- Burdock root: herbal remedy
- Chamomile
- Dandelion
- Echinacea
- Gingko
- Licorice Root
- Red Clover
- Saraprilla
- Good fatty acids
- An Oatmeal bath for itchy skin: 1/2 cup organic oatmeal & 1/2 cup warm water, put in a blender & blend till you create a paste. Use paste in place of shampoo. Work it into the skin of your dog or cat, massage for a few minutes to let it calm their skin & then rinse. After rinsing pour white vinegar or apple cider vinegar over the pets fur work into the coat & rinse again. Vinegar also calms & soothes the skin. https://amzn.to/42KIq8C https://amzn.to/4lNtMpN https://amzn.to/432Ehy4
The final book I used to reference is The Veterinarian’s Guide to Natural Remedies for Dogs https://amzn.to/4cQuK0w
- Feed a better diet ( I discussed more about this is post #36), a better diet supplemented with natural foods can naturally boost your dogs immune system & they can fight allergies without drugs.
- Switch to a different protein base in their food such as Bison, Kangaroo, rabbit, duck, many pets are allergic to chicken, fish & some beef. I am glad mine are not allergic to beef, but have had some dogs & fosters who were allergic to chicken or fish.
- Wash your pets feet off after walks to eliminate allergens or chemicals they may have picked up from lawn chemicals, cars leaking chemicals, pollen etc…
- Decrease vaccinations, only do those required by law, if you board or see a groomer who requires they are done then do 3 year vaccines. They are the same dose as a 1 year, so you are not putting more chemicals into your pet’s body. Over vaccinating has been shown to add to allergy issues due to lowering of the immune system.
- Use natural & not chemical cleaners in your home & yard. Less exposure is good for your pets as well as your own health.
- Keep dust level down in house.
- Bathing your dog more frequently can help for itchy skin, use an oatmeal shampoo. https://amzn.to/4js7mJ1
- Switch dishes if you use plastic for water or food, Ceramic or glass is a much better choice. https://amzn.to/4cZwHb6
- Ayurvedic Gel: for topical relief
- Plantain (growns in backyards) reduces redness, inflammation, & itching
- Arnica (homeopathic)
- B Complex
- Vitamin C
- Enzymes
My goal here was to show you that there are a number of ways you can naturally treat your pets for allergies. I recommend researching more about the proper dosing & or how to mix, & any possible interactions, before you try any new remedy. There was too much information in these references for me to post it all. I like to keep my posts to about a 5 minute read. I hope you learned something you may need now or in the future.
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