what is the best dog to get if you are allergic
Best dog allergy medications
Just like people, dogs tin can endure the abrasive symptoms of an allergic reaction to environmental or food triggers. Merely unlike you, your pooch doesn't accept words to express discomfort or ask for help. That'due south why it's so important for every pet owner to be able to recognize symptoms of allergies, and if they occur, to be familiar with handling options.
Luckily, if your dog is one of the many affected by allergies, there are several treatments bachelor, both over the counter and past prescription from your veterinary. There are besides steps y'all can take to reduce your pooch'southward exposure to potential allergens, which should greatly help relieve the discomfort.
In this buying guide, we reveal what yous should know nigh mutual canine allergies and dog allergy medications. We hash out prescription meds, over-the-counter (OTC) meds, and what you should expect in terms of toll. If you lot're looking for recommendations, run across our list of top domestic dog allergy medications for ideas.
What causes allergies in dogs?
There are three major causes of canis familiaris allergies: fleas, inhaled triggers, and food.
Flea saliva delivered through a flea bite is the well-nigh common trigger for canine allergies. Up to 40% of dogs suffer from flea allergy dermatitis, and as few as one or ii bites tin can bring on symptoms. Afflicted pooches volition mostly seize with teeth and scratch at the spot vigorously, further inflaming the surface area and sometimes even wearing abroad the fur. The outcome tin be hot spots — areas of reddened, inflamed skin that ofttimes weep clear fluid or blood — which can drive your domestic dog to itchy distraction.
Inhaled or airborne allergens are the adjacent most mutual category, affecting around 15% of dogs. These allergens are also the common cause of hay fever and seasonal allergies in people and include pollens, molds, dust mites, and mildew. While some of these allergens are seasonal, others linger all twelvemonth long. Unlike allergic humans, who usually develop respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, runny nose, and runny optics when exposed to these triggers, allergic dogs by and large itch and will scratch or lick themselves in an effort to gain relief.Food allergies are the least mutual type of allergies in canines, affecting around 10% of dogs. Dogs are most oftentimes allergic to proteins, including beef, chicken, lamb, pork, fish, and eggs. Grains can too be a problem for some dogs. Common symptoms of food allergies include frequent ear infections, shaking the head, rubbing the face on the ground, itching, sneezing or wheezing, digestive upset, and foot licking.
Choosing a dog allergy medication
There are quite a few treatments for your canine pal's itchy distress. Some require a veterinarian's prescription while others are available over the counter. Here are some common choices.
Prescription dog allergy treatments
For dogs with severe or persistent allergies, a visit to the vet is required for effective relief with a prescription-only medication. While there are quite a few choices, the post-obit are often prescribed.
Allowed-modulators
Immune-modulating medications don't simply treat the symptoms of allergies; they actually tackle the problem at the source: the overactive immune system. By suppressing the release of histamine, these medications effectively halt the misery of allergic itching and other symptoms. These medicines can cause digestive side effects, all the same, including vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.
- Atopica, which is a brand proper name for cyclosporine, can accept several weeks to provide full relief simply is safety long-term for dogs with persistent allergies. While very effective for airborne allergies, information technology'southward not as effective for food allergies. Give Atopica to your domestic dog an hour earlier or 2 hours after a meal to assistance prevent digestive side effects.
- Apoquel works to relieve allergic symptoms acquired by fleas, airborne allergens, and food. Your pooch volition typically beginning to feel relief within hours of the first dose, merely this isn't a long-term medication. Typically, dogs accept Apoquel for upwardly to 14 days at a time to care for allergy flare-ups.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids, often just referred to equally steroids, don't completely stifle the immune response, but they do reduce the inflammation caused by the release of histamine. This helps reduce itching, swelling, and other allergic symptoms. Oral steroids potentially have quite a few side furnishings, including irritability, increased ambition, diarrhea, vomiting, skin thinning, hair loss, and increased urination. Generally, steroids are merely prescribed for short-term treatment of allergies and are not effective confronting food-acquired allergies.
- Prednisone is one of the most commonly prescribed steroid treatments. Information technology'due south cheap and provides relief quickly. Almost dogs tolerate it well for short-term utilise. Oft, the prescription is a tapering dose that reduces over x to 14 days.
- Temaril-P is a newer medication that combines a steroid with an antihistamine for comprehensive and quick relief of flea or airborne allergies. The combination of medicines in Temaril-P means the steroid content is lower, thus reducing the likelihood of side effects.
The virtually common cause of domestic dog allergies is fleabites, so flea control should be an important part of your treatment plan.
OTC dog allergy treatments
For dogs with mild or occasional allergy symptoms, an OTC handling is ofttimes all that's needed. There are quite a few to choose from.
Antihistamines
Every bit the name suggests, these medications piece of work by blocking the release of histamine, thus reducing the inflammation that adds to allergy misery acquired by fleas or airborne allergens. While veterinarians occasionally recommend prescription-only hydroxyzine, more ofttimes pet owners turn to OTC antihistamines, which can provide quick relief of allergy-caused itching and distress. On the downside, the majority of dogs don't answer to antihistamines, and so if you try 2 or three without seeing much do good, it's time to consider some other treatment option.
- Benadryl is one of the well-nigh common OTC antihistamines for both people and dogs. The recommended dosage is 1 milligram per pound of the dog's body weight. So, for example, a 15-pound canis familiaris would take fifteen milligrams of Benadryl two or iii times per day. Benadryl tends to be quite sedating, so await your dog to sleep more than than usual after a dose.
- Claritin only requires once-a-twenty-four hour period dosing and is less likely to heavily sedate your dog. Mostly, dogs tin take 0.2 milligrams of Claritin per pound of body weight, meaning a 20-pound domestic dog would have 4 milligrams of Claritin per solar day.
- Zyrtec is another OTC antihistamine commonly taken by humans that'southward likewise safe for canine utilise. Like Claritin, information technology only requires i dose a day and is less probable to sedate your dog than Benadryl. The usual dose for dogs is 0.5 milligrams of Zyrtec per pound of body weight once per solar day. That means a xx-pound dog would accept x milligrams of Zyrtec daily.
Fish oil
Fish oil contains large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which have many wellness benefits, including reduction of inflammation and improved skin and coat condition. There are many brands of fish oil formulated specifically for dogs. While not a cure, fish oil given long-term tin can aid improve a dog's allergy symptoms.
Colostrum
A type of pre-milk produced by mammals, colostrum contains antibodies and compounds that help reduce inflammation and overactive immune response. Many OTC dog allergy treatments contain bovine colostrum, which helps reduce itchiness in allergic dogs.
Probiotics
Many OTC dog allergy medications contain probiotics, which are beneficial leaner that alive in a domestic dog'south gut, where they help with digestion, allowed response, and overall health.
Medicated sprays or baths
While not a long-term solution, y'all tin give your itchy pooch some quick relief with an OTC medicated spray or bath. These products typically incorporate hydrocortisone or a similar ingredient that relieves skin irritation and crawling along with soothing oatmeal, aloe, tea tree oil, chamomile, or other itch and irritation reducers.
Did Yous Know?
Many dogs are allergic to airborne pollen, dust mites, mold, and mildew, suffering from seasonal allergies just like people.
Domestic dog allergy medication prices
It's hard to pinpoint a price range for dog allergy medications because there are and so many types, both prescription and OTC. As a general rule, you'll pay less for a generic drug than a brand-proper noun medication. That goes for both prescription and OTC drugs. For example, a generic bottle of Diphenhydramine HCl, which is the agile ingredient in Benadryl, can cost equally lilliputian equally $5 for 100 tablets, while make-proper noun Benadryl might cost $15 for the aforementioned amount.
When it comes to itch-and-allergy treatments, expect to pay $xx to $30 for a one- to 3-month supply, depending on your pet's weight.
Tips
- Flea elimination is critical for allergic dogs. Care for your dog with a monthly systemic medication such equally Frontline, or speak to your vet about other alternatives.
- Breast-stroke your itchy pet in one case every 1 or two weeks with a balmy shampoo formulated for dogs with allergies. This helps remove allergens and soothes the skin. Never apply your own shampoo on your dog, as it can dry out their pare and hair.
- Wipe your dog'due south anxiety afterward a walk. This is particularly important if your dog walked on wet or newly mown grass. You tin as well wipe down their fur with a babe wipe or pet wipe to remove airborne allergy triggers.
- Wash your dog's bed every week or ii. This helps go rid of potentially triggering pollen, mold, mildew, and dust mites.
- Vacuum your abode at least weekly. This helps reduce pollen and other allergens throughout the business firm.
- Consider placing an air purifier nigh your dog'due south bed. This can help eliminate airborne allergens.
- Take steps to protect irritated areas. If your dog has an inflamed hot spot, a dog cone collar volition prevent them from chewing or licking at the spot, allowing the sore area to heal. Some other way to cover up itchy or irritated spots is to slip a tee shirt onto your pooch.
- Feed your dog high-quality dog food. This can help keep their skin and coat in good condition and their general wellness loftier. Annotation that dogs with food allergies or sensitivities often do best on a limited-ingredient diet.
FAQ
Q. Are some breeds of domestic dog more prone to allergies than others?
A. Yep. Although any domestic dog can exist allergic, certain breeds are more likely to be afflicted, peculiarly when it comes to airborne allergens. These breeds include:
- Gold and Labrador retrievers
- Boxers
- Poodles
- Pugs
- Miniature Schnauzers
- Dalmatians
- Chihuahuas
- Fob terriers
Q. Are in that location tests for diagnosing allergies in dogs?
A. There are ii testing procedures unremarkably used to pinpoint the triggers of atopic allergies. One is a uncomplicated claret examination that any veterinary can order. The more precise test is similar to that used for humans: the veterinary applies various common allergens to the dog'south skin and watches for positive signs, including redness, rashes, or welts. You'll need to take your dog to a veterinarian dermatologist for this specialized exam.
In that location aren't any specific tests for fleabite or food allergies.
Q. What causes allergies? Are they contagious?
A. Allergies are not contagious. They are the event of an overactive immune organization recognizing an otherwise harmless substance as a threat. This causes the animal'due south immune organization to release a flood of a chemical chosen histamine, which boosts blood flow to the areas afflicted by the allergen, causing inflammation that leads to redness, swelling, itching, and other allergy symptoms.
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