Heal Your Allergic Dog The Natural Way

Five tips to a happier, healthier, itch-free dog.

Allergic skin disease is the most common dermatology problem seen in dogs. Typically, the dog’s skin appears fairly normal despite a large amount of itching. If a secondary bacterial or yeast infection is present, the skin might show signs of scabs, small red bumps (called papules), small pimples (called pustules), crusting, greasiness, or a foul odour.

Conventional treatment for pets with allergies involves administering potent medications, such as prednisone or cyclosporine. Antibiotics and antifungal drugs are often used when secondary infections occur. Because these drugs only produce temporary relief from itching and infection, an integrative approach to heal the dog is preferred.

The following tips can help start your allergic dog on the road to healing:

1. Frequent bathing is probably the most important thing you can do. The more frequently a dog is bathed, the less itchy he will be. Use natural shampoos designed for frequent bathing.

2. Feed a natural diet that is free of by-products and chemicals.

3. Minimise vaccines by using antibody titer testing. Never vaccinate a pet when it’s itchy. Over-use of vaccines can worsen a pet’s allergies.

4. Antioxidants are extremely helpful in reducing inflammation.

5. Fish oil acts as a natural steroid, reducing inflammatory by-products that can result from cell damage. Ask your vet to recommend a balanced fatty-acid product.

Following these tips will get you started on a great drug-free program to make your pet comfortable and begin the healing process.