Dog allergies are a real issue - and maintaining your pet's health means avoiding an allergic reaction at all costs. Every responsible pet owner will have some allergy medicine at hand - especially during itchy skin season.
Some pet owners will also opt for pet vitamins that will support the dog's immune system. A better immune system usually means allergic reactions that aren't as strong as they used to be.
Humans take vitamin supplements all the time - but should they give some to their pets?
There are so many dog allergy supplements on the market, but is your dog going to benefit from using them? Continue reading for the full scoop on dog allergy supplements!
What Is A Dog Allergy Supplement?
Dog allergy supplements are dietary supplements just like other vitamins and minerals. The only real difference is the goal these supplements are trying to achieve.
Dog allergy supplements contain a mix of vitamins and minerals meant to boost the pup's immune system. When a dog experiences an allergic reaction, its body produces histamine to try and fight off the agent that is disrupting the system.
The weaker the immune system is, the stronger the allergic reaction can be.
Because of that, the supplements can be a great helper in fighting off the body's natural response.
Besides, these supplements are full of vital vitamins and minerals, meaning they can benefit the immune system in general - not just allergies-wise.
Is A Dog Allergy Supplement Necessary For Managing Seasonal Allergies?
Source: SugarTheGoldenRetreiver.com
Your pet needs a well-balanced diet with adequate nutrition - organic compounds with plenty of vitamins - to thrive.
However, dogs can experience allergies to many things found in nature - from seasonal allergies to certain foods and things in their environment; the list goes on. There's no rule as to what can cause an allergic reaction in dogs - but some things are more common than others.
The usual allergic reaction consists of itchy skin - rather than tearing up, watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing, the typical response in humans.
Now, dogs produce the vitamin C they require in their nutrition - but the rest of the vitamins and minerals have to come from their meals. Meaning, you have to make sure that your pup is eating a clean, nutritious diet every day.
Luckily, ensuring that your pup eats a good diet is not that difficult - all you need to do is search for a reputable commercial dog food brand, and that's it. Many brands out there have a label "complete and balanced," and the food has all the nutrients your pup could ever need.
That's true for most dog breeds since most of them require pretty much an identical diet.
So, a good choice of a commercial dog food brand usually covers all your pup's nutritional needs.
That is if your pup doesn't already have a food hypersensitivity or a food allergy. If that is the case, though, you'll need to consult your vet about the best way to feed your pup for a healthy immune system and the best food brands according to his needs.
In theory, dog supplements are not necessary - but they can help maintain normal histamine levels.
It's important to note that the natural ingredients inside cannot treat allergies per se. Still, they can reduce skin irritation and give your dog's coat a glowing appearance, along with better respiratory health.
Many dogs scratch at their skin due to allergies, giving themselves skin irritation or, even worse, skin infections.
Is Every Allergic Reaction Serious?
Let's get one thing straight - no!
Many allergic reactions are not at all severe, but they will still cause some discomfort to your pooch.
The supplements are used to keep the allergy symptoms in check.
So, if you're looking to avoid giving allergy medication to your poor furry baby, try some tips and tricks instead.
First, only feed your pet a restricted diet, one that is free of any allergy triggers.
Furthermore, keep the dog's bed clean; it would be best if you used hypoallergenic bedding and sprayed their resting area with a diluted spray of tree nut oil to soothe everything.
What Offers The Best Relief From Allergies?
There's no actual secret ingredient that does it all without any effort. The best way to treat allergies in dogs is to avoid triggers at all costs - even if your pet experiences mild allergies.
To do that, you will need to make sure that your pet is eating a trigger-free diet with the best natural ingredients. Also, you'll need to ensure that your pet is getting enough exercise, and so on.
Everything you'd normally do to keep your pooch healthy - minus the allergens.
In reality, there's no secret supplement that will provide the proper allergy relief without you ever moving a finger. If your pet has allergies, you'll have to be on the constant lookout for the potential triggers!
Can Dogs Be Allergic To Commercial Dog Food?
Believe it or not - yes!
Dog's immune system can react to commercial dog's food because some allergenic proteins often make their way into the food. And even if that's not the case, some allergens can make their way into the food during the manufacturing process.
So, if you ever notice that your dog's allergies are acting up more after switching to a new commercial dog food brand, we advise you to stop immediately.
How To Choose The Best Allergy Supplements For Itchy Skin?
Before you give your pup any of the best dog supplements, you should talk to your vet about it. The vet will rule whether the pet's diet is sufficient as is or if their health could benefit from vitamin-packed chewable tablets.
You should keep in mind that some ingredients - even in the best dog supplements - can interfere with meds, including your dog's allergy pill.
Because of that, I advise pet parents to pay close attention to the dosage of supplements.
Many allergy relief products are all-natural, but still, look for brands that have published clinical studies showing efficiency in reducing the immune response. Moreover, read the instructions carefully, especially regarding proper dosage, since small dogs can react severely to a dose too high for them.
It doesn't hurt to check whether the brand is experienced and well-known in addressing dog health issues. While you're at it, check for a lot number on the bottle of soft chews; that's a sign that the company does quality control.
And that brings me to brands that advertise their product as something it's not.
Even the best dog supplements are still supplements - and they cannot replace actual allergy pills.
Oh, and another thing:
Even if you're in a pinch, never give your dog supplements designed for humans. The active ingredients in supplements for humans are different, and they can seriously harm your pup.
The general rule is, consult your vet before deciding on any supplements for dogs. Your vet will most likely prescribe the so-called "nature's Benadryl," also known as quercetin.
Some supplements for dogs have anti-inflammatory properties, meaning they can provide your pets with better skin health overall.
What Are The Best Ingredients For Fighting Allergy Symptoms?
There are many good ingredients out there for reducing allergic reactions. And even those of us who experience an allergic reaction rarely still need allergy relief medication at our side.
Allergies can happen to anyone and everyone - including your pup.
Luckily, the allergy supplements for dogs can help reduce inflammation - with ingredients that can make the symptoms go away much faster.
The agents in charge of reducing inflammation usually come from fish oil - commonly salmon oil - which is very rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids can help ease many skin conditions and make the skin and coat healthier.
Don't be fooled by other supplements for dogs that advertise vitamin C as one of the key ingredients, though.
I already told you - vitamin C is useless in dog supplements.
Instead, look for specifically formulated soft chews that will genuinely reduce your dog's hot spots.
Yet another good anti-inflammatory ingredient is the green coffee bean extract. This extract also serves as a pain reliever - and its efficacy has been proven many times over the last thousand years.
It's a known way to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Moreover, this extract is an excellent option for dogs that experience arthritis.
Another great component found in allergy supplements is nettle extract, an ingredient that has been shown to reduce allergy symptoms in clinical studies.
It can even improve skin issues and help the symptoms clear up in a few days.
The green tea extract can also help. However, you need to be wary about the dosage of supplements containing green tea. Your pup could experience some adverse effects if it ingests too many.
Vitamin B5 is a great vitamin to be found in these supplements - and it's easily absorbed by your pet's body. Vitamin B5 provides notable benefits for the adrenal glands, the thyroid gland, the liver, and skin quality.
Generally speaking, all B vitamins are an excellent option to be included in allergy supplements. The B vitamin complex has many significant benefits for your dog's health - including lowering cholesterol levels, among other things, and boosting the immune system.
How Much Do Dog Supplements Cost?
Well, the supplements for allergy relief that can ease your dogs' suffering aren't always cheap. Some supplements, like essential oils, are relatively affordable, but others can be rather expensive, costing up to several hundred dollars.
The cheapest supplements for allergy relief will provide your pet with moderate ease. In the "less than $25" price range, for example, you'll be able to find natural allergy meds like oral and parenteral formulas.
Most allergy relief supplements fall in the medium price range, though, with prices up to $60. These can help ease some of your pup's symptoms - like rashes on the dog's skin, a runny nose, and watery eyes.
However, the most expensive, top-shelf supplements have extraordinary formulas and can help treat a variety of symptoms. They usually contain pure ingredients and provide allergy relief by addressing respiratory problems, ear infections, and severe skin issues.
But are you willing to put a price on your puppy's health?
Yeah, I didn't think so.
When To Give Supplements To Avoid Allergic Reactions?
Small dogs and large dogs alike can experience a range of health complications - and even explicitly formulated allergy supplements can help.
Now, remember what I said earlier:
The most common sign of a dog's allergy is itchy skin and scratching, and it manifests all the same no matter what the cause of the allergic reaction is.
There are three leading causes of allergic reactions for most dogs - fleas and dust mites, food allergies, and environmental allergies.
Apart from the itchiness, dogs can also experience symptoms like facial swelling - which is much more severe - as well as gastrointestinal and respiratory issues.
If you, as pet owners, are worried that you could improve your dog's diet, always consult the vet first. Even if you're convinced that there's a vitamin deficiency of some sort going on, it's best to check with an expert.
If that happens to be the case here, your vet will likely recommend using an allergy supplement to provide the extra vitamins and minerals for your furry friend.
Furthermore, if you opted to feed your pet a homemade diet, it's easy to miss some crucial vitamins they need for a healthy life. And that could, unfortunately, negatively affect their overall health, too.
For those situations, your vet can even advise going to the vet nutritionist to figure out the best supplements for your furry friend.
Dog Allergy Supplement - Bottom Line
Like I said, dog allergy supplements are not necessary - but they can do wonders for your pet's overall health and well-being. With the addition of these specifically formulated vitamin-packed supplements in their diet, your dog can get glowing, healthy skin and ward off the nasty symptoms of allergies.
However, keep in mind that you should never give your pet supplements without talking to a vet first. Keep your pup safe at all costs!
