Herbal Remedies for Dog Allergies

Herbal Remedies for Dog Allergies. According to the Dog Health Guide, about one in seven dogs suffers from an allergy. Most symptoms of allergies appear on the dog's skin, but internal symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, coughing and sneezing sometimes occur. Many allergies are caused by fleas, inhaled allergens, reactions to medications or food. While conventional treatments like corticosteriods or antihistamines are common, herbal remedies for dog allergies do exist. The dog owner should always have suspected allergies diagnosed by a veterinarian and use herbal remedies under his advice.

Aloe

Aloe, made up of phosphorus, potassium, zinc, amino acids, calcium and folate, also contains vitamins. Used externally, aloe vera has a soothing effect on a dog's irritated skin and acts as an anti-inflammatory and wound healer, according to the site Natural Dog Health Remedies. A light covering of aloe gel can be applied to the dog's skin once or twice daily. Allow the gel to dry and stay on the dog's skin. Applying aloe all over your dog's skin can be done by making a rinse and applying it to your dog's skin, according to the site Allergies in Dogs.

Oats

Oats have beneficial ingredients such as magnesium, iron, calcium, copper and protein. Bathing a dog regularly with shampoo containing oats helps alleviate skin symptoms associated with allergies. Additionally, dog owners can boil about 1 lb. pound of oat straw in 2 quarts of water for about 30 minutes, strain the mixture, let it cool, pour the strained liquid over the dog's coat and skin, then give the dog a final rinse with fresh water, according to Natural Dog Health Remedies. Dogs can break out in hives as an allergic reaction to insect stings, chemicals and poisonous plants. Natural Dog Health Remedies recommends making a paste by cooking oats in water, then applying it liberally to the affected areas to alleviate the discomfort.

Burdock Root

Burdock root can be used to treat internal allergic reactions in dogs. Burdock root's beneficial components include thiamin, silicon, calcium and riboflavin. Natural Dog Health Remedies states that this herb acts as a blood cleanser and antioxidant that rids the dog's body of the toxin causing the allergic reaction. Add dried or fresh burdock root to the dog's food. Alternatively, burdock root in tincture form can be combined with glycerin and given to the dog by mouth.

Dandelion

Dandelion contains riboflavin, iron, thiamin, potassium, calcium, choline and several vitamins. A dog's liver is its main toxin-cleansing organ. Dandelion serves as a liver stimulant to assist the dog's body in ridding itself of whatever is causing the allergic reaction, as indicated on the Natural Dog Health Remedies website. Dandelion also acts as a diuretic, which also helps the dog rid itself of waste and toxins, according to the Allergies in Dogs site. There are two ways to administer dandelion to help alleviate allergies in a dog. One way is to dry the greens and sprinkle one teaspoon of dried herb per 20 lbs. of body weight on the dog's food daily; alternatively, the same amount of dried greens of the dandelion can be boiled in unsalted meat or vegetable broth, allowed to cool, then administered by letting the dog drink the broth, as indicated on the Natural Dog Health Remedies site. The site also warns to be sure the plants you use have not been exposed to herbicide.

References

• Dog Health Guide: Canine Allergy
• Natural Dog Health Remedies
• Allergies in Dogs: Herbal Therapy Cures