Sneezing, excessive scratching, and watery eyes are all signs that your beloved dog is dealing with allergies. While allergies are a fairly common condition in dogs, no one likes to see their best friend suffer. Several different medications offer allergy relief, but the best one for your dog depends on the cause of their allergies.
Many dogs experience seasonal allergies in the spring and summer with the surge in airborne irritants like grass, tree, and weed pollen. Other common allergens include environmental pollutants, chemical products like shampoos and perfumes, dust mites, mold, and mildew.
Managing seasonal allergies in dogs is very similar to managing them in people, and there are several techniques involved in managing allergies.
Mild to moderate cases of canine allergies can often be treated with the help of over-the-counter (OTC) medications. However, just because over-the-counter medications are easily accessible does not mean you can start giving them to your dog right away. Ask your vet about dog-friendly OTC options to learn more about proper dosing and potential interactions.
Home remedies can make for handy, cost-effective ways to treat your dog’s allergies. Common household foods like oats, apple cider vinegar, and plain, sugar-free yogurt can provide quick relief for uncomfortable itching and inflammation. Other DIY solutions include
The vet is your first line of contact when you need to treat your cat’s UTI. If your vet sees it as necessary, they may prescribe antibiotics for the infection. They will likely prescribe an oral medication or an injectable medication. These antibiotics get rid of the infection or reduce inflammation.
There are supplements for urinary tract health, some of which carry glucosamine as an active ingredient. Prescription diets can also help. As for surgery, that will depend on whether the cause is bladder stones or frequent urinary obstruction.
Every dog is different, and their systems may react differently to certain allergy meds. Vets have recently noted more adverse reactions among dogs who take Benadryl, resulting in Zyrtec becoming the more popular “first-line” choice for dog allergies. Zyrtec is also less potent than Benadryl and has a convenient dosing schedule ranging from half to one full tablet a day, depending on your dog’s weigh.
Yes. Most allergy medications come with their own set of side effects but keep in mind that each dog is different and may experience unique side effects to allergy medications. Common reactions include dry mouth, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart and respiratory rates, hypersalivation, and decreased globulin levels.
The best allergy medication for your canine is the one your veterinarian recommends for their specific allergies. Many veterinarians will recommend an antihistamine to treat their symptoms.
Yes, Zyrtec and Claritin can be given to dogs once a day; Benadryl is given twice a day. It’s always a good idea to check with your vet about the appropriate dosage for your dog’s size and age.
What your veterinarian prescribes for dog allergies depends on their severity. For mild itching, vets may prescribe antihistamines. For severe allergies, vets may do allergy testing so they can do immunotherapy to boost your dog’s immune system.
“This way, reactions to allergens are much less intense. Immunotherapy is the closest that anyone can get to a “cure” for allergies,” says Dr. Erica Irish. “Intense itching can be helped with Apoquel, Cytopoint, or steroid medications. In other cases, immunosuppressant medications like Atopica may be necessary.”
