Allergies in dogs can be difficult to manage. If your pet has an allergy, you may find yourself looking for home remedies to help them feel more comfortable that don’t break the bank.
Allergies are complex to diagnose and treat, and sadly, often respond best to veterinary-prescribed treatment. In this article, we’ll explain common remedies for allergies in dogs and answer the following questions:
- Will baking soda help my dog stop itching?
- How do I get my dog to stop itching and licking?
- Can dog allergies go away?
- Can I put olive oil on my dog’s itchy skin?
- What oil is good for a dog’s itchy skin?
Disclaimer: Please refer to the information in this article as a guide only. If you think your dog may have allergies, it’s best to contact your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Will baking soda help my dog stop itching?
It’s thought that baking soda can help soothe a dog with itchy skin, however, we’d recommend taking your dog to a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Baking soda may soothe the skin, but it likely won’t resolve the exact reason why your dog is scratching. This means it could hinder a diagnosis and your dog may get worse in the long term.
Don’t forget, your dog will likely lick away anything you put on their skin too. But don’t worry, we’ll explain what to do to help your dog itching in the next section.
How do I get my dog to stop itching and licking?
The best way to help stop your dog from itching and licking is to get to the root of the problem. One thing you can do at home is to check your pet for fleas. To do this, simply take a look at their skin and fur, and see if you can find any fleas or flea dirt.
If you find some, then you’ll need to treat your pet with medication such as a tablet, spot-on, or a collar. If you don’t find fleas, then the next step would be to take your pet to a veterinarian for a proper examination and diagnosis.
The veterinarian will start the consultation by asking you questions related to your dog’s scratching such as:
- When did it start?
- How bad is it on a scale from 0 to 10?
- Do they scratch all the time or does it seem to be related to a specific time of year or event?
- Where do they scratch, itch, or chew?
- Are any other animals or people in the household affected?
The vet will then examine your pet, paying particular attention to any problem areas but also looking at your pet as a whole. They may also take swabs and other samples for microscopic analysis.
If they have ruled out other potential causes of scratching, such as infectious diseases then they may narrow the allergy down to one of the following causes:
- Food allergy – for example to meat, dairy products, soya, or grains.
- Environmental allergy – such as pollen or dust mites.
Can dog allergies go away?
When it comes to the topic of ‘treating’ allergies, it’s a little complicated. The type and severity of the allergy affect the course of action in terms of managing the allergy. Additionally, the budget for pet parents also plays a role, as there is a big difference in price for each therapy option
We’ve listed some examples of how different types of allergies in dogs can be managed below:
- Avoidance – this is recommended for all types of allergies, however, it’s easier for some (food allergies) compared to others (environmental allergies).
- Creams, shampoo, ointments – for relieving itchy skin and reducing the occurrence of secondary infections.
- Medication – such as tablets or injections which reduce symptoms such as scratching. These can be good in the short term, however are usually expensive.
- Allergen-specific desensitization therapy – for reducing and in some cases, resolving symptoms. This can be an option when it comes to environmental allergies identified using intra-dermal allergen testing, however can only be performed by a board-certified veterinary dermatologist and is expensive.
- Dietary supplementation – the addition of veterinary-approved oils or supplements can help your pet’s general health and condition.
Remedies to relieve dog allergies at home
Here are a few useful links:
Can I put olive oil on my dog’s itchy skin?
Nothing is stopping you from putting olive oil on your dog’s skin, however, it’s unlikely to help your pet in the long term. Aside from making a mess in your home, your dog will probably just lick away the oil, and it won’t fix the cause of the problem.
Different types of oil can be beneficial for dogs, especially those with allergies, but we’ll talk more about that in the next section.
As we already mentioned, if your pet is itching, then it’s best to take them to a veterinarian to get a proper diagnosis and the according treatment plan.
Home remedies often seem like a cost-effective solution, however, they are seldom effective and can worsen your pet’s condition and be more expensive in the longer term.
What oil is good for a dog’s itchy skin?
If your dog has itchy skin associated with an allergy, then it’s likely your veterinarian will recommend you include oil in their diet. Some specific types of oil such as fish or coconut oil include agents that reduce inflammation, moisturize the skin, and help your dog’s immune system.
Always consult your veterinarian before supplementing your pet’s diet. If your vet agrees that supplementing your pet’s diet with fish oil may help then don’t forget the following:
- Introduce it to your dog’s diet slowly and check for any adverse reactions.
- Read the label carefully and only feed as instructed according to your dog’s size and weight.
- Only give your dog veterinary-approved products from reputable manufacturers.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article about home remedies for dog allergies. If you think your dog might have an allergy, it’s best to consult your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment before attempting home remedies.
Charlotte qualified as a veterinarian in 2023 and has been working as a writer for several years helping pet parents understand how to help their pets live happy healthy lives whilst pursuing her interests in wildlife conservation.
She enjoys traveling and has undertaken positions in Belgium, Spain, Austria, Germany, and the Galapagos and has a 15-year-old rescue dog called Chiki.
