Environmental Allergies

Question
Dear Ms. Jannie Balliett,

I am a proud owner of two female boxers. My youngest ( 1yr and 6 months old) has environmental allergies. She bites her paws and scratches behind her ears. I feed both a grain free (orjen brand) fish based diet and also give cod liver oil daily. What could I possibly do  to help her. The vet says to give benadryl. I would rather give something natural. I appreciate all your help and look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you so much!

Answer
Biting paws is not always due to allergies... it can be due to anxiety and nervousness too.

If it is environmental allergies, vets usually prescribe steroids, however, if the cause is not determined, and treat the underlying problem; her symptoms will come back again and again (and come back worse after each time steroids are used). Steroids are helpful in certain situations, but  you want to save them for "emergencies" because they definitely take a toll on the immune system.

I'd start by trying to minimize any possible allergens/irritants in her environment. Wash her bedding often and use a very mild detergent, or just hot water with no detergent at all. No dryer sheets, no fabric softener. If you use products on your floors, carpets, upholstery, or anywhere else that she lays, stop using them for a while. Wipe her down with a damp cloth (especially her feet) when she comes in from outside. Sweep/dust/vacuum more frequently, and be sure to keep her out of the room while you're doing it. Change the air filters in your home regularly.

A soap-free dog shampoo such as the EarthBath line of dog shampoos would help to wash allergens off of her skin/coat without irritating or over drying. Or bathe her with a similar product.

If she uses Advantage or another flea product-- she might have negative or allergic reactions to those as well.

She still could also be sensitive to her food even though a fish based--  consider trying a limited ingredient food for allergies, such as California Naturals or Natural Balance L.I.D. Since you supplement cod oil capsules, try supplementing with vitamin E -- as you know, the Omega 3 fatty acids in the cod-fish oil will help condition the skin from the inside out, and also act as a natural anti-inflammatory.

I would put knot baby booties on her 4-paws when she goes outside to pee and poop to keep her paws dry and clean. Remove them when she comes back inside.

Talk with your vet about testing for allergies if possible.

But to begin:

1) a natural, grain free, gluten free, corn free allergic-type food.  I do like Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance sweet potato blend. Do not give her treats or anything else. For a treat-- give her plain, whole yogurt (no flavors) alone for a coll, refreshing treat, and/or on her food too.

(Keep a calendar of her food to see if it helps... and all other things you are changing that I am listing)

2) Use booties on her feet for awhile- outside contact with grasses and other environmental things can get on her paws and then when she does lick and gnaw on them, get into her system .....

3) Bathe her with soap-free dog shampoo only......

4) Keep bedding washed with vinegar water and no soaps

5) No carpet fresheners, etc. for her to come into contact with........

6) Change air conditioning filters regularly, and do not use air fresheners in your home

7) No smoking inside your home-- anyone!

8) For flea control: use a sprinkle of garlic powder (not garlic salt) on her food a couple of times a week and if inclined, put apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle diluted with water, and spritz her body lightly... these two things keep fleas and ticks away.

Let me know if she improves by email or in a follow-up, please.

Good luck, as she should not suffer through this!