How to Treat Dog Allergies with All Natural Vitamins
Dog allergies can manifest in many ways: ear infections, chewing on feet or other body parts, runny nose or eyes, general itchiness, hair loss and hot spots. It is difficult to predict what is causing these allergies, especially if it is an airborne mold or pollen. Often, it is a result of toxins built up in the body of an immune-weakened dog. Many veterinarians will prescribe steroids or antihistamines to alleviate symptoms, but the relief is often short-lived. Dog allergies can also be improved with a healthier diet and increased vitamins designed to reduce symptoms for the long term.
Things You'll Need
- Omega 3 fatty acids
- Vitamins A, C and E
- Licorice root
- Digestive enzymes
- Oatmeal shampoo or 1 pound organic oat straw
Instructions
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Increase the omega 3 fatty acids, important anti-inflammatory agents, in your dog's diet. An easy way to accomplish this is add a fish oil capsule, available at any grocery or health food store, to your dog's food.
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Add vitamins A, C and E to your dog's diet. Antioxidants such as these remove free radicals and other toxins from the body, reducing the itchy symptoms. Switch your dog to a healthier food that adds more vitamins and minerals or add a multivitamin capsule to your dog's meals.
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Add a small amount of licorice root to your dog's diet. Licorice stimulates natural production of anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and immune-supporting agents, which can provide relief from itchiness and inflammation.
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Add digestive enzymes to your dog's diet, which will allow him to absorb more nutrients from his food. This promotes a healthier immune system with which to combate allergies. Digestive enzymes that aid canine food digestion are protease, which breaks proteins into amino acids; amylase, which reduces carbohydrates into a more digestible form; lipase, which digests fats into fatty acids; and cellulase, which breaks down fiber.
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Bathe your dog with an oatmeal-based shampoo to soothe itchy skin. Using herbs topically is also an effective way to alleviate allergy symptoms. To make your own rinse, boil 1 pound of organic oat straw in 2 quarts of water and add to your dog's bath water.
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Tips & Warnings
Gradually add nutrients into your dog's diet rather than making sudden dramatic changes, which could cause an upset stomach. If changing your dog's food, make the change gradually: 75-25 old-new ratio for the first week, 50-50 for the second week and 25-75 for a third week before switching over entirely.
Avoid using garlic or onions in any treatment cocktails as these can be harmful to dogs in large quantities. Follow instructions on all capsules added and pay attention to weight-to-supplement ratio to avoid diarrhea.
