How do you get rid of dog allergies naturally

10 ways to get rid of fleas on your dog

1. Coconut oil

Coconut oil is a safe, simple solution to treat your dog. Its fatty lauric acid covers the fleas exoskeleton in an oil coating, immobilizing and suffocating it.

Treatment. Work a light consistency through your dogs coat, down to the skin, in an outdoor setting. The Lauric acid contained in coconut oil is a natural flea repellent that may cause bugs to leave the fur.

2. Natural flea spray

Nothing beats a natural flea spray. These solutions are free from synthetic chemicals, perfect for treating adult fleas. The spray will safely kill the fleas on your dog and can be sprayed around the home to address the infestation. Always carefully read the labels first because some products work differently than others. For example, some only repel fleas, while others kill adult fleas but not eggs and larvae. Some natural flea sprays, like Tropiclean Flea & Tick Spray, repel and kill these parasites in all life stages.

Treatment. Youll need a natural flea spray designated safe for your dog and gloves to keep your hands clean. Our top pick for an all-natural flea spray is Vets Best Flea and Tick Spray. Dampen your pets coat with the spray, then massage it into the skin.

Always check with your vet and discuss treatment options before applying natural flea remedies to your dog.

3. Organic shampoo

All soaps and shampoos kill fleas when used in a bath. You dont have to use flea shampoo to kill fleas. In fact, some of these products can be harmful to your dog and excessively dry out their skin. The surfactants in regular soaps actually suffocate fleas. Fleas cant float on top of the water because of the way their exoskeleton is formed. When you add soap or shampoo to the warm water, they will drown in the water.

Treatment. Use any organic shampoo as you normally would in a bath. Make sure that there is some standing water in the tub so the fleas will fall or jump into it and then drown instead of jumping off your pet to safety. Make sure to read the directions on the bottle before using it.

4. Apple cider vinegar

Even fleas are picky eaters.Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a natural treatment for dogs that keeps fleas away. Dilute one part ACV with one part water in a spray bottle and give your dog a dowsing before heading outdoors.

Treatment. Some pet parents believe that an oral dose of ACV also keeps fleas at bay. The evidence is anecdotal, but if your vet gives the all-clear, add a tablespoon of vinegar to your dogs drinking water to repel fleas. Keep a bowl of your dogs fresh water handy in case they dont like the taste of ACV.

Always consult your vet for the correct dosage before incorporating any new supplement into your dogs diet.

5. Flea prevention and treatment

Ask your vet about the best type of flea preventionfor your dog. Some types target multiple parasites while others might only kill fleas. Nearly all flea control is intended for dogs 12 weeks and older, so you may have to resort to natural methods if you have a young puppy.

Treatment. Most flea prevention treatments require a vet prescription to purchase. Capstar is available over the counter, but it only kills adult fleas, so it wont end an infestation alone.

6. Lavender essential oil

Lavender contains linalool, which is effective at treating fleas at every life stage. Because the science isnt clear on how safe undiluted lavender oil is for pets, use it in your home rather than on pets directly.

Treatment. Mix up to 10 drops of food-grade lavender essential oil in an 8-ounce spray bottle and spray walls, floors, and places your pet doesnt frequent. Some pets are sensitive to essential oils, while others arent. To be safe, avoid spraying it where your pets spend time.

7. Diatomaceous earth

Diatomaceous earth is a non-toxic treatment best used to control adult fleas at home. Made of silica, diatoms, and natural minerals, it resembles a powder-like substance. Diatomaceous earth kills fleas by damaging their exoskeletons and infiltrating their bodies to draw moisture out.

Treatment. Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth in your home on bedding, furniture upholstery, baseboards, and carpets. Wait overnight to let it work its magic, then vacuum the diatomaceous earth with the dead fleas. Wear a mask while spreading diatomaceous earth and avoid spreading it with pets in the room, as the tiny particles can cause lung irritation.

Types of Dog Allergies and How to Treat Them

Have you heard someone tell you that their dog has allergies? Has your veterinarian suggested that allergies could be a problem for your dog? Do you suspect that your dog has allergies? If so, then youve probably realized that allergies in dogs are not quite as simple as we might wish. For starters, there are several different types of allergies that could be causing your dogs symptoms.

Allergies are a misguided reaction to foreign substances by the bodys immune system, which, of course, people and pets can suffer from. There are quite a few different types of allergies in dogs. Skin allergies, food allergies, and environmental allergens all pose challenges for dogs and their owners, and to make things more complicated, the symptoms of all these different types of allergies can overlap.

Symptoms of Allergies in Dogs

The symptoms of allergies in dogs may vary depending on the cause. A dog that goes into anaphylactic shock, for instance, will have a drop in blood pressure followed by shock, which is very different from a skin condition.

In general, however, the following symptoms could be a sign of an allergic reaction.

• Itchiness
• Hives
• Swelling of the face, ears, lips, eyelids, or earflaps
• Red, inflamed skin
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Sneezing
• Itchy ears
• Chronic ear infections
• Itchy, runny eyes
• Constant licking

Some of these symptoms could also be a sign of another condition. Make an appointment with your veterinarian if you notice changes in their behavior to get an accurate diagnosis.

Types of Allergic Reactions in Dogs

Allergic Dermatitis in Dogs

Skin allergies in dogs, known as allergic dermatitis, is the most common type of allergic reaction in dogs. Skin allergies in dogs are mainly caused by one of three things: fleas, food allergies, and atopicor environmentalallergies.Flea allergy dermatitis is an allergic reaction to fleabites, and some dogs are allergic to flea saliva, which can cause their skin to become red, inflamed, or scabbed because their skin will feel extremely itchy. Its the easiest type of allergic dermatitis to treat, since you can apply flea medication for dogs to help heal their skin.

Another cause of skin allergy in dogs is from food allergies and sensitivities. Just like humans can be allergic to certain foods or ingredients, dogs can be allergic, which can cause itchy skin. Dogs with food allergies usually have itchy ears or paws, sometimes along with gastrointestinal symptoms. Dr. Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the AKC, says that food allergies are not as common as you might think. True food allergies result in an immune response, which can range in symptoms from hives, facial swelling, and itchiness to gastrointestinal signs like vomiting and diarrhea or a combination of both.

Environmental allergens can also affect the skin and be the cause of allergic dermatitis. Things like dust, pollen, fungus, and mold can cause these reactions, but in most cases, these allergies are seasonal. As with food allergies that affect the skin, the most commonly affected areas are the paws and ears (but also include the wrists, ankles, muzzle, underarms, groin, around the eyes, and in between the toes).

All skin allergies pose the risk of secondary infection. As your dog scratches, bites, and licks at his skin, he risks opening up his skin to yeast and bacterial infections that may require treatment.

Urticaria, or Hives, in Dogs

Also known as urticaria, hives on dogs are very itchy but are not life-threatening. Hives appear as a reaction anywhere from 6 to 24 hours after exposure to allergens. This consists of itchy, swelled skin, that usually looks like a red rash. Its easiest to spot hives on dogs that are hairless or have short coats. Dogs with longer hair can get them too, but its more likely that youd be able to fee the hives rather than see them. Your vet will prescribe an antihistamine in order to treat urticaria in dogs.

Edema of Face or Throat

Swelling of the throat or face looks severe, but its actually almost never fatal. This area of swelling, which can also include swelling of the eyelids or ear flaps, is known as angioneurotic edema. Its actually pretty easily treated, and despite how it looks, its a good sign in terms of allergic reactions.

If your dog has edema of any of these areas, the time for a fatal allergic reaction has most likely passed, and they arent in as much danger. Angioneurotic edema occurs anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours after exposure to an allergen, and can also come with hives.A veterinarian will often give dogs with this reaction an antihistamine injection. Untreated, it may take a day or two for the swelling to subside.

Anaphylactic Shock

Perhaps the most alarming of all the types of allergic reactions in dogs is anaphylactic shock. Like people, dogs can go into anaphylactic shock if they have a severe reaction to an allergen. This happens when antibodies produced by the host react negatively to the allergen, dropping your dogs blood pressure rapidly and sending them into shock. This can be fatal if not treated, but luckily, anaphylactic reactions are rare in dogs.

This can be a response to any allergen, most commonly bee or wasp stings, or vaccine reactions. Because of this, your vet will always recommend keeping a close eye on your dog after theyve been given any new vaccine, drug, or food item, as they might be allergic.

If a dog has had a past incident and survived, the owner may carry an epipen, but sometimes the first occurrence can lead to death. Fortunately these reactions are very rare in dogs.

In some rare cases, a severe food allergy reaction resulting in anaphylaxis can occur, similar to severe peanut allergies in humans. The best way to diagnose and treat a food allergy is to work with your veterinarian to manage your dogs symptoms and discover the ingredient causing the reaction.

Diagnosing Allergies in Dogs

Flea allergy dermatitis is typically the easiest allergy to diagnose. It is usually diagnosed by identifying fleas on your dogs body and applying a product that kills fleas before they can bite to see if that solves the issues.

The first thing your veterinarian will do in allergy testing is rule out any other condition that could be causing your dogs symptoms. If your veterinarian feels that an allergy is a likely cause, they may propose allergy testing to try and determine the cause of the allergen that is causing the reaction. However, keep in mind it may not always be possible to determine the cause of an allergy with testing.

If you have ever undergone allergy testing, then you know that diagnosing allergies is often complicated. Its the same for dogs, but its worth it to understand what to stay away from when it comes to your dog.Food allergies are often diagnosed using an elimination diet. A food trial consists of feeding a dog one source of protein and carbohydrate for 12 weeks.

Treating Allergies in Dogs

The best way to treat an allergy is avoidance of the cause and allergen, which may not always be possible. They type of treatment depends on the type of allergy your dog has. For example, the best way to treat flea allergy dermatitis is to kill the fleas, whereas the best way to treat a food allergy or food intolerance is a change in diet.

Depending on the cause and severity of your dogs allergic reaction, your veterinarian will prescribe different things. For hives, they might suggest antihistamines, cortisones, medicated shampoos, whereas with food allergies they might suggest fish oil or other Omega-3 fatty acid supplements. For skin allergies, they might prescribe dog-safe anti-inflammatory wipes or shampoo on skin to provide irritation relief.

In addition to any lifestyle changes that might be necessary, your veterinarian may also prescribe an allergy relief medication for your dog that will help control the signs associated with the allergic reaction, such as itching and any secondary skin infections that might have developed as a result of the irritant.

If your dog has a severe allergic reaction, your best course of action is to get them to an emergency veterinary hospital as quickly as possible.