Spring is here, bringing warmer weather, blooming flowers, and unfortunately, heightened environmental allergies for many of our pets. As the pollen count rises and grasses grow, pets with sensitivities may start showing signs of discomfort. In this blog post, we'll explore practical home management tips that you can implement alongside veterinary care such as testing for allergies, including environmental and food to help keep your pets comfortable and healthy during allergy season.
A Good Rinse for Environment Allergies
If you suspect that pollen and grass are triggering your dog's allergies, giving them a quick rinse with water can be incredibly helpful. Use a wet cloth or pet-friendly wipes to gently clean their underbelly, paws, and legs after they've been outside. Regular baths using hypoallergenic shampoo can also become a key part of their grooming routine to help manage and reduce allergens on their skin and coat.
The Benefits of Chamomile for Dogs
Chamomile is a versatile herb with numerous benefits for dogs, but it's important to introduce it cautiously, as some dogs might be allergic. If your dog has a known allergy to daisies, avoid using chamomile altogether. Otherwise, test it first by applying a small amount of chamomile tincture or cooled brewed tea to a visible area of your dog's skin, like their tummy. If no reaction occurs (such as redness, itching, or welts), chamomile can be safely used both internally and externally.
Chamomile can soothe irritated skin and promote wound healing when used externally. To use it, brew a strong pot of chamomile tea, let it cool, and apply it with a gauze pad or organic washcloth to hot spots, rashes, bug bites, or other skin irritations. For dogs with environmental allergies, a chamomile rinse after outdoor activities can help wash away allergens while soothing the skin. Mix one part chamomile tea with three parts water, pour it over your dog, and let it soak in without rinsing it off for maximum benefit. (Try to choose a high-quality organic tea.)
The Role of Diet
While medications and environmental changes are vital components of allergy management, the impact of diet is often overlooked despite its significant potential to improve outcomes.
One dietary factor to consider is the role of carbohydrates in inflammation. Reducing carbohydrate intake may significantly mitigate allergic symptoms in pets, as carbohydrates convert into sugars during digestion, which are known to be pro-inflammatory. Many commercial pet foods are high in carbohydrates, sometimes making up to 50% of the total composition. By lowering the carbohydrate content in your pet's diet to 20% or less, it may reduce systemic inflammation, which in turn will help alleviate the severity of allergic symptoms. Striving for a balanced diet that meets your pet's nutritional needs without worsening their allergies is essential for effective allergy management. ZIWI Peak provide complete and balanced to AAFCO low carbohydrate diets for cats and dogs.
Antioxidants and Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids – found in fish oils and fatty fish like mackerel, are well-known for their powerful anti-inflammatory properties, making them a key component in managing allergies in pets. You may like to try ZIWI Peaks Mackerel and Lamb recipe, which has the highest omega-3 DHA and EPA content among their range.
Antioxidants
Incorporating antioxidants into your pet’s diet can be particularly beneficial for managing allergies. Foods rich in Vitamin C, such as berries, and compounds like flavonoids help stabilise mast cells, which are responsible for releasing histamine during allergic reactions. For a fun way to incorporate some antioxidants into your pets life, have a look at the NORM Freakshakes. Australian owned and made with 6 recipes to choose from including one especially for your feline friend with their Nine Lives recipe! Whilst being fun they are functional with superfood ingredients such as goji berries, dragon fruit, turkey tail mushrooms and blue spirulina that have been freeze dried to preserve those amazing phytonutrients and antioxidant properties. Simply mix shake and serve or pour over their meal.
New functional treats
In addition to a balanced diet, there are now some great functional treat options available that can complement your pet's diet such as Bell & Bone Healthy Treats - Tuna & Seaweed for Skin, Coat, and Nails. These treats are a great way to reward, while supporting their skin and coat health. Packed with Omega-3s and other essential nutrients, these Tuna & Seaweed treats help promote a shiny coat and healthy skin, giving your pup a tasty boost.
Natural solutions
Natural products can play a significant role in a holistic approach to managing allergies. Brands like Shy Tiger offer products that are veterinary formulated, such as Soothe Skin Balm and Shy Tiger Soothe + Aid Protect, which are specifically formulated to provide quick relief from skin irritations commonly caused by allergies. These products can be easily incorporated into your pet's daily care routine, complementing dietary changes and medical treatments to enhance overall effectiveness.
Other things to consider
Allergies and irritations can occur regardless of changes in weather and seasons, so it’s essential to consider other environmental factors. Have you recently changed your pet’s bedding, introduced a new shampoo, or switched flea, tick, and worming preventatives? It's also important to discuss your pet’s symptoms with a veterinary professional. If food intolerances are suspected, they might recommend a hypoallergenic diet or suggest starting a supervised elimination trial. One option to use during an elimination trial is a limited ingredient diet.
What is a 'limited ingredient diet?'
If you suspect your dog’s allergy is a result of a food sensitivity, a limited ingredient diet will help to determine and eliminate reactions from common pet food ingredients such as corn, wheat, soy, and some animal proteins
To follow the diet effectively, you need to stop feeding your dog any processed foods and only give them a single/limited protein source for 4-6 weeks - ideally one they’ve never eaten before, known as a ‘novel protein’, like rabbit, pork, goat, kangaroo, crocodile, duck or venison.
If symptoms dramatically improve, you can slowly introduce the old diet again (one protein at a time) and monitor what happens.
In Summary
Managing allergies in pets can be a complex and ongoing process, but with the right combination of diet, environmental adjustments, natural products, and veterinary support, you can help keep your pet comfortable and healthy. Always consult with your veterinarian to tailor an allergy management plan that best suits your pet's unique needs. Remember, a proactive approach can make all the difference in improving your pet's quality of life.
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