What are allergies?
Before we talk about how to find a natural antihistamine for dogs, let’s go into more detail about allergies. After all, it’s important to understand why we’re giving medicine or functional foods to our beloved pups.
Just like us, pets can experience allergic reactions to a range of different things. It’s common for dogs to have allergies, and they could develop them at any age. So don’t worry if your pup is one of those that does!
An allergic reaction happens when your dog’s immune system reacts (or overreacts) to a foreign substance that’s typically harmless. There are many potential triggers, which may make it tricky to figure out what your pet is actually allergic to. Likewise, allergies can present with lots of different symptoms. All of which will determine what kind of all-natural dog allergy medicine is best to give your pup.
What causes allergies in dogs?
So, what sort of triggers might prompt you to search for a natural antihistamine for dogs? First, there are skin allergies. Also called allergic dermatitis, this is often a reaction to fleas (yuck!) – or more specifically, their saliva. However, other things in your pup’s environment can also elicit an allergic reaction, such as pollen, dust, or cleaning products. This type of response is referred to as a seasonal or environmental allergy, depending on the exact cause.
For instance, you might need a natural antihistamine for dogs because your pup has hay fever. This is an allergic reaction to different types of pollen, and generally occurs in the spring and summer. Conversely, allergies can flare up in response to something inside the house, like dust or mould spores. Your pet could also be allergic to certain fabrics, or an ingredient in cleaning products or cosmetics.
Another possibility is that your pup is allergic to something in their food, although this type of allergy is rarer. Similarly, they could have a reaction to medication you or a vet has given them. Finally, pets can suffer acute allergic reactions when bitten by a snake, or stung by insects like bees and wasps.
What are signs of allergies in dogs?
With so many potential causes of dog allergies, the range of possible symptoms is equally diverse. The signs can also vary depending on other factors, like the severity of the reaction. This list provides an overview of some common symptoms that might see you reaching for a natural antihistamine for dogs:
- Itchiness – this could be localised to one area, or all over your pet’s body
- Biting, licking, or scratching – possibly to the point of redness, irritation, or fur loss
- Paw chewing or excessive licking – especially between the pads
- Recurring skin or ear infections
- Rashes, red patches, or bumps on your pup’s skin – these may or may not be painful and itchy
- Gastrointestinal issues – this includes vomiting and diarrhoea, and is most frequently seen with food allergies
- Swelling and inflammation – this is most common around the eyes, ears, and mouth
- Sneezing, runny nose, and coughing – as with humans, this is often a sign of hay fever or a dust allergy
In the case of very severe allergic reactions, your pet might go into anaphylactic shock. This causes serious symptoms such as breathing difficulties, low blood pressure, and collapse. As such, this is not a time where you can simply use a natural antihistamine for dogs. Instead, it requires immediate veterinary treatment.
How do I know if my dog is allergic to something?
Many of the symptoms of dog allergies are quite general. It can therefore be hard to know if you need a natural allergy medicine for dogs or another treatment entirely. And sadly, they can’t tell us themselves! Sometimes, the cause of your pup’s symptoms seems obvious. Perhaps they get diarrhoea only after eating a specific food. Or maybe they feel sneezy and itchy after walking through long grass in the summer. However, other times it’s not so clear. And even when we think it is, we may well be mistaken.
So, before you give your pet a natural antihistamine for dogs, it’s best to take them to the vet. They will be able to run some tests to try and determine exactly what your pooch is allergic to. This might be as simple as looking for fleas, or a longer process involving eliminating certain foods from their diet. Plus, a vet can rule out the possibility of your pup’s symptoms being caused by another health condition. Once they’ve determined the reason for your pet’s allergy, you’ll be able to discuss possible treatments.
When to speak to a vet about dog allergies
To reiterate, we recommend always taking your pet to the vet if you suspect they have an allergy. And you should definitely do so before giving them a natural antihistamine for dogs. There are two main reasons for this. First, you want to make sure the cause of your pup’s symptoms is an allergic reaction and not something else. Second, it’s important to check that the herbal antihistamine for dogs you have in mind is suitable for your pooch.
There are several factors that will affect whether your pet can have a particular natural antihistamine for dogs. For example, these include any existing health conditions they may have, or any veterinary or herbal medication they’re on. Speaking to a vet first ensures that you can add functional foods to your pup’s diet with confidence.
Finally, if your pet shows any signs of severe allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock, take them to a vet immediately. This is most common in cases where your pup is stung or bitten by a poisonous or venomous creature. As every animal lover knows, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to our pets’ health!
How to treat allergies in dogs
The two principal ways to deal with your dog’s allergy are to remove the cause and alleviate the symptoms. Naturally, the best way to do this will depend on exactly what they’re allergic to. For instance, if your pooch is allergic to a certain food, you should eliminate it from their diet. If they have an allergy to fleas, you’ll need to use a flea treatment regularly. It may be helpful to try an organic allergy medicine for dogs to ease their symptoms at the same time.
In cases where your pet suffers from a pollen allergy, you may not be able to completely remove the allergen. Your pup will almost certainly come into contact with pollen from time to time. This is where a natural antihistamine for dogs could be useful. And there are other ways you can reduce your pet’s symptoms while you wait for the antihistamine to take effect. For example:
- Try to work out what type of pollen your pup is allergic to, and attempt to avoid those plants
- Keep the grass in your garden cut short
- Wash and groom your dog more often during the months they suffer from hay fever
- Walk your pup in the early morning or the evening, when pollen counts tend to be lower
- Wash your pet’s bedding regularly
What are antihistamines?
Ok, let’s return to the topic of antihistamines. Your vet may prescribe one of these for your pet if they have allergies. Alternatively, you might be searching for a natural antihistamine for dogs to help your furry friend. But what are antihistamines, and how do they benefit pets with allergies?
Antihistamines are a type of medicine used to alleviate allergies in humans and other animals. This includes hay fever, insect bites and stings, and dermatitis. Interestingly, they can also help with motion sickness. As the name implies, antihistamines work by blocking histamine receptors. Histamine is a chemical produced by the immune system in response to an allergy trigger. In this way, a pharmaceutical or natural antihistamine for dogs can ease common allergy symptoms like a runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing. However, it may not completely eradicate all symptoms, as some are not caused by histamines.
It's worth bearing in mind that not all antihistamines will work for all dogs. As such, you may need to try a few until you find one that works for your pup. Interestingly, some antihistamine products made for people are also suitable for dogs. However, you should never give human medicine to your pet without checking with a vet first.
Why might you want a natural antihistamine for dogs rather than a pharmaceutical one? Well, some pups experience unpleasant side effects after taking the medication. These include drowsiness, drooling, hyperactivity, raised heart rate, and tummy troubles. A natural antihistamine for dogs is less likely to cause such side effects, making them preferable for many pet parents. So, let’s look at some of the options.
What is the best herbal antihistamine for dogs?
You have several effective choices when it comes to finding a natural antihistamine for dogs. One of the most popular is quercetin.(1) This is a pigment found in many fruits and vegetables suitable for canine consumption, including apples, blueberries, and broccoli. Other plant compounds that can act as a natural antihistamine for dogs include bromelain and nettle leaf.
Some types of medicinal fungi also help to ease allergy symptoms in pets. For instance, reishi mushroom is a potent natural antihistamine for dogs thanks to triterpenoids like ganoderic acid that inhibit the release of histamine.(2) These secondary metabolites possess anti-inflammatory properties too, and can soothe inflamed and itchy skin.(3)
Another natural antihistamine for dogs that functions slightly differently is milk thistle. This plant supports the health of the liver, which is responsible for getting rid of excess histamine in the body. The oil also acts as an anti-inflammatory, easing allergy-related dermatological conditions.
There are other functional foods that, while not a natural antihistamine for dogs, can still benefit pups with allergies. For example, chia seed oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These may help to alleviate itchy skin that’s caused by allergies and restore its moisture barrier. Similarly, sea buckthorn is bursting with skin-nourishing ingredients like omega-7 fatty acids, palmitoleic acid, and linoleic acid.
The best part is that these powders and oils are easy to mix into your pet’s wet food. That means no fighting to get them to take a tablet! With any luck, as part of a holistic approach, adding a natural antihistamine for dogs to your pup’s diet will help them overcome their allergies and get back to playtime!
How to use a natural antihistamine for dogs safely
All the functional foods we’ve mentioned here are considered safe for canine consumption. However, there are still some factors to bear in mind to make sure you give them to your pup safely.
For instance, whichever natural antihistamine for dogs you choose, always speak to a vet before giving it to your pet. If they give you the go-ahead, follow the instructions carefully when adding it to your pup’s meals. The recommended dosage will vary depending on the plant and the size of your pet.
In addition, functional foods may not be suitable for all animals. We don’t recommend giving them to dogs who are pregnant or nursing, or feeding them to puppies. This is simply because there hasn’t yet been enough research to determine their safety for these groups. And remember, just like your pet can be allergic to pollen, they may be allergic to your chosen functional food. Keep an eye on them after adding it to their diet. If you notice any negative change in your furry friend’s health or behaviour, take them to the vet immediately.
Finally, it’s possible that the natural antihistamine for dogs you’re thinking of using is suitable for humans too. However, you shouldn’t give your pet a product that’s meant for people. Always buy one that has been specially designed for our fluffy companions. It’ll be both safer and more effective.
