In our last blog post, we talked about how dogs can have spring allergies, similar to humans. If your dog has allergies, you might find him scratching a lot or biting at the itchy areas on his body. This can lead to rash, damaged skin, or even hair loss. To prevent this from happening and to help relieve spring allergies, consider trying some of these natural remedies for your dog.

Using home remedies can be a lot cheaper than paying for a vet to treat your dog and may be healthier than giving him prescribed medications as well. You should check with your vet, however, to see if the following suggestions are appropriate for YOUR pet and his particular condition.

Natural Remedies for Dogs with Allergies

In the Bath

Water: Water is just about as natural as you can get, AND it’s very effective. Bathing your dog frequently during allergy season will offer him relief. Water rinses off dirt, pollen, and other allergens that have attached to your dog’s fur and skin.

Apple Cider Vinegar & Green Tea: After you give your dog a bath, you could rinse him down with an apple cider vinegar and green tea mixture. DogsNaturally recommends using this combination:

• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup distilled water
• ½ cup brewed (and cooled) green tea

Pour this over your dog’s coat after his bath along with warm water. You can either let your dog air dry or rinse him off after applying it. This mixture is good for itch relief, soothing rashes and welts on the skin, and restoring skin pH. It may also help keep flies, gnats, and fleas away.

Oatmeal: Grind up uncooked oatmeal, and stir it into a bath of warm water. Let your dog soak in the mixture for 5-10 minutes. This usually offers quick relief for your dog’s itchy skin and allergies. (Unless you’re bathing your pooch in the kiddie pool outside, don’t forget to use a drain strainer to keep the oatmeal out of your plumbing!) Shampoos containing oatmeal are also available at pet stores.

Supplements for Your Pet

Healty Pets recommends adding these fats to your dog’s diet.

Coconut Oil: Coconut oil can help minimize yeast production in dogs. Use it along with a fish body oil to help prevent inflammation.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These can also decrease inflammation in your dog. You can get these fatty acids from fish body, krill, tuna, and anchovy oil. You can buy omega-3 capsules that your dog will likely gobble up quite willingly.

Consult with your vet to determine the most appropriate supplements for your pet.

For Your Dog’s Skin

Aloe Vera: You can apply aloe vera gel directly to your dog’s skin. It’s soothing to the touch and anti-inflammatory.

Echinacea: This herb has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help heal and soothe your dog’s skin.

For Your Dog’s Feet

Water: By simply soaking your dog’s feet in water or rinsing them off with a rag that has been doused in warm water, you can prevent him from carrying many outdoor allergens inside and spreading them throughout the house. Dry his feet off with a clean rag afterward.

Epsom Salt: You can make up a bath with Epsom salt for your dog to soak in, or simply soak his feet in the solution. Epsom salt helps relieve itchy and dry skin. It also can reduce inflammation and keep wounds clean so they heal faster. Don’t let your dog drink this water, however. Rinse your dog off after allowing him to soak in the salt water for about 10 minutes. Make sure all the salt is rinsed off with fresh water.

These are just a few of the many possible home remedies for dog allergies that you may want to try to help relieve some of the itch and discomfort your dog may be experiencing this spring.

Do you have a dog who needs a few lessons in obedience? Be sure to check out The Dog’s Way podcast for some great advice and lessons on how to train your dog in a way that is easy and natural. The Dog’s Way helps establish a clear relationship with your dog, so your dog naturally looks to you for how to do things.

We also have an eBook for anyone who has recently adopted a new dog from their local animal shelter. If this includes you, be sure to download it for free today!

The information contained in The Dog’s Way website is presented as public service information only. It is not intended to be nor is it a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Consult with your vet for diagnosis of and questions about your dog’s condition. The Dog’s Way occasionally supplies links to other web sites as a service to its readers and is not in any way responsible for information provided by other organizations.