The Environment & Allergies

A simple start to reducing environmental allergens is to wash your dog.  If you use natural shampoos then you can wash more often as these will not remove the natural oils in your dogs skin that help keep the coat healthy.  Washing will help to remove any excess pollen and irritants from their skin that may be causing the irritation.  If they have a flare up with itching then wash them then  to help relieve and soothe their skin. 

Skin rinses are great and can be applied between shampoos or after to help with itchy skin and allergies. Test out the suggestions below and see which one’s give the best result or the ones your dog likes more:

• Apple Cider Vinegar – 1 Cup of Apple Cider Vinegar to 2 Cups of water and massage this rinse into your dog and leave it on, just towel dry.
• Bee Balm and Calendula Tea Rinse – Make a tea, cover a handful of each dried tea leaves mixed together with hot water and allow it to infuse until cool. Don’t strain just pour over from neck down, massage in and towel dry.
• Povidone Iodine Rinse (Betadine) – Add 1 cup of Betadine (or 1% iodine solution from local pharmacies) to 3 ½ litres of rinse water. Pour over from the neck down, towel dry don’t rinse off. It is an iced tea colour and may turn white dogs an off white colour but this is nothing to worry about from a health perspective.
• Skin Sprays – we have a range of flea and itchy skins sprays which you can purchase.

If your dog has dirty but healthy ears use the following as swabs to clean their ears:

• Organic apple cider vinegar with purified water (mix equal parts)
• Use undiluted Witch Hazel Hydrosol or add undiluted Tea Tree Hydrosol 

Make sure you are familiar with the correct procedures for ear cleaning before attempting for the first time.

After your dog has been outside implement a paw cleaning routine.  Make a batch of this foot solution and put into a tray.  It can be used for up to 3 days.  Use enough water to cover your dogs pads and then mix in some betadine till the water is like the colour of iced tea.  Soak the paws for two minutes then pull out and just pat the paws dry,  Don’t rinse off.

Wipe your dog down when it comes inside – this will remove any excess clingy pollen or anything else that is attached to them while they were outside.  Buy some hypo-allergenic pet wipes simplest option or use a damp towel.

If your dog is really out of control and licking their paws incessantly try a calming foot soak Add 3-4 drops of lavender Essential Oil, to a tablespoon of carrier oil e.g.: jojoba.  Add this oil mix to ¼ cup Epsom salts.  Add this to 16 cups of water into a container / tub that they can stand in for 5-10 minutes.  In addition to a calming foot soak, if your dog is really uncomfortable rescue remedy, a homeopathic blend can help to calm and settle them.

A clean environment is also essential.   Clean and vacuum house to reduce allergens in the air and floors. Clean bedding regularly and use nontoxic natural cleaners.  Even purchase an air purifier. Change water and food bowl to a ceramic one and wash it daily.

Keep the lawn short don’t let it get too long.  Confirm your dog has no fleas – use natural flea remedies (we have sprays and shampoos you can purchase) or an apple cider vinegar spray or lemon spray.  

A simple and easy addition to help with allergens internally is to use Apple Cider Vinegar – Add to water bowl daily.  Use 1 teaspoon per pint of water.  Use Bragg organic (with the mother). 

Vitamin C – dogs produce their own Vitamin C, however, in times of stress such as an allergy flare up, levels can be severely compromised.  You can help boost their immunity and help fight free radicals via adding Vitamin C.  Dogs should have the salt form of Vitamin C known as calcium ascorbate and sodium ascorbate. The human variety is Ascorbic Acid and is very difficult for them to digest. Vitamin C increases the immune system, helps with stress and boosts collagen to help with joints.

Nutrition and supplements can often be the key to eliminating allergies and building a strong immune system.  If you would like more information on the most effective diet and nutrients to support your pet’s health call Tanya today on 6454 9318 for a dietary and environmental consult.