While allergies are fairly common, it’s never a good feeling as pet parents to see your dog uncomfortable. Whether it’s a skin allergy or food allergy, we want you to get the help you need as soon as you can. Wondering if your pet has allergies and how to help, consult with a trusted veterinarian on the Airvet app.
What Can I Give My Dog For Allergies?
In short, you’re in luck! There are actually plenty of options out there that can help ease your doggo’s allergic reactions. Some of the most sought out allergy relievers are:
- Antihistamines – Best for dogs with seasonal allergies. Antihistamines ease the symptoms of environmental allergies by blocking the chemical created by your body’s immune system called histamine. More histamine = more allergy symptoms.
- Anti-allergy shampoos – Best for when allergy season hits. While you bathe your dog, leave the shampoo in for around 5-10 minutes before rinsing, and make sure you thoroughly rinse all the shampoo out. Lukewarm water is the best, hot water can easily dry out your dog’s natural oils and lead to itchy skin.
- Topical treatments – If the allergy your dog suffers with is skin-related such as hot spots, a topical treatment is perfect. There are ointments out there that combine antibiotics with anti-fungals to help stop any bacterial growth on dog’s skin. If you’re looking for a topical spray, there are products that combine an antibiotic with a steroid, which is best for spot treatment.
- Shots – If nothing else is working, shots should be your next plan. You’ll need to physically bring your dog in for an allergy test, and from there they will start your pup on a course of allergy shots to essentially desensitize your pup to the allergen.
Of course, these aren’t the end-all, be-all treatments to help with allergies. A vet is always the person to talk to first. With your pet’s personal history at the forefront, a vet may recommend something better (and faster).
Are over-the-counter medications safe for dogs?
What might be totally safe for us humans may not always be completely safe for our furry friends. However, most over-the-counter drugs are safe – at the right dosage. Dog dosage and human dosage? Drastically different.
Over the counter drugs that are safe for dogs (with the OK from a vet):
- Antihistamines
- Steroid sprays, gels, and creams
- Topical antibiotic ointment
- Anti-fungal sprays, gels, and creams
- Dramamine
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Pepto-Bismol
- Imodium
- Kaopectate
- Cough medications
- Pepcid AC (famotidine) and Tagamet (cimetidine)
- Artificial tears
- Mineral oil
Over-the-counter, anti-inflammatory drugs that are NOT safe for dogs:
- Tylenol
- Ibuprofen
- Buffered aspirin
At the end of the day, it’s the best decision to talk with a professional vet before giving your doggo any sort of medicinal treatment. Since dogs and humans aren’t the same, (we wish they were sometimes) a seemingly normal human dose could be potentially life-threatening for a dog to consume.
On top of that, talking to a vet is a great way for them to review any potential bad interactions in case of adverse reactions. Looking out for your pet is easy with Airvet.
