How to Manage Your Pet's Allergies
Seasonal allergy sufferers are preparing for their least favorite time of year, which is right around the corner. You might not know that this holds true for some pets as well! Like humans, dogs and cats can are susceptible to seasonal allergies, which can manifest in ways that could easily go unnoticed. Here are the most common signs that your dog or cat may have allergies along with some all-natural remedies that will help you keep your pet’s allergies under control all season long:
Allergies in dogs can cats typically manifest in 2 ways: through the skin and through the respiratory system. It is more common for allergy symptoms to show up in your pet’s skin, but occasionally some pets also suffer from respiratory symptoms. In any case, keep an eye out for these signs that your pet may be suffering from allergies:
Skin:
• Excessive itching/biting at skin
• Hair loss, including bald patches
• Hot spots
• Red, inflamed skin
• Bumps
• Red, inflamed, or cracking paw pads
Respiratory:
• Runny nose/sneezing
• Coughing
• Watery or crusty eyes
• Eye redness
If you notice any of these symptoms and suspect your dog or cat has allergies, be sure to pay attention to patterns that may help you narrow down the cause. For instance, does your dog seem to scratch only when she is outside in the grass? Or does your cat only sneeze when he is lying by an open window? Keeping an eye on these patterns can also help you determine whether your pet’s issue might be more serious. Respiratory issues are very common in cats, for example, and some allergy symptoms are like those of feline upper respiratory infections (URI) or the feline Herpesvirus type-1 (FHV-1).
Luckily, there are plenty of all-natural supplements that can help you manage your pet’s allergies:
Colostrum: Otherwise known as “mother’s milk,” colostrum contains proteins that aid with your pet’s immune function, making it great to slow down your pet’s allergic reactions to the seasonal environment.
Fish Oil: Fish oil contains high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties that will greatly benefit your pet with seasonal skin and coat issues.
Milk Thistle: While milk thistle is most commonly used for liver support, it can also provide extra support for pets with allergies by flushing out those seasonal toxins.
Herbsmith Clear Allerqi: This herbal supplement helps maintain normal histamine levels and supports detoxification of environmental toxins all while reducing phlegm and cooling itchy and inflamed skin.
Bee Pollen: Bee pollen is a superfood most commonly known for providing extra nutrients and proteins for overall health but giving your pet small doses of bee pollen can help them build resistance to pollen allergens over time.
Other great remedies include Earth Animal’s Allergy & Skin Drops, Pet Wellbeing’s Itch Support Drops, Wondercide’s Skin Tonic, and more, which can be found both in store and online.
- Vanessa Rances