Tips for Treating Your Dog's Allergies

With allergy season for humans starting to kick into overdrive, lots of people don't realize their dog can also have allergies. If your dog is an obsessive licker or he frequently scratches or scoots across the floor, he may have allergies. Just like humans, dogs can overreact to harmless allergens in the air, sneezing and itching as a result.

There are four main types of allergies in dogs: atopy, flea, food, and contact. Atopy refers to enviornmental allergies; a dog's body releases excess histamine when exposed to a higher concentration of pollen in the air. The most common symptoms of atopic allergies are itching, scratching, biting, and chewing.

Here are some tips to help prevent or minimize the symptoms of atoptic allergies in dogs:

Wipe down your dog to remove allergens after walks
Try a hypoallergenic shampoo (or if your dog is allergic to wheat/gluten, then try a wheat and gluten free shampoo)
Use appropriate, dog supplements such as biotin or omega-3s (Vet's Best Brand)
Try sulfodene treatments (hot spot and itch relief spray) - these treat irritation, red skin, and hot spots
Give baths with gentle or medicated shampoo - baths will help control the amount of allergens on your dog's skin, as long as you avoid anything that will irritate or dry out their skin
Apply a medicated spray - a popular one is Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic and Antifungal Spray - helps treat fungal and bacterial skin infections, plus contains soothing aloe
Aloe or Witchazel Spray
Wholesome Diet - Your dog's diet may be completely overlooked if your dog only suffers from environmental allergens, but the more natural your dog's diet, the better their bodies are able to fight off and heal from allergies and external stressors
Apple Cider Vinegar - If you can stand the smell, you can apply a 50/50 mixture of Apple Cider Vinegar and water in a spray bottle to the itchy spots on their skin

Comments

Protecting Your Dog's Paw Pads In The Summer Heat

Most dogs love going for walks all year round. With warm weather finally here and summertime approaching, many people like taking their dogs for walks to enjoy the nice weather. As nice as the weather may feel to us, hot pavement will burn a dog's paws. It may be tempting to want to take your dog everywhere you go, but it can cause serious harm to your dog if you aren't careful. Burned paw pads can also lead to infections if not treated properly. Your dog might need antibiotics or pain medication depending on the severity of the burn. Asphalt, cement, and metal can get hot enough to cook an egg, so just imagine what it will do to your dog's paws. If you can't comfortably leave your hand on the pavement for 5 seconds, then the pavement is too hot. Here are some tips for protecting your dog's paws in the summer: Walk your dog early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the temperatures are lower and the pavement has cooled down (test it with your hands firs

What To Consider Before Gifting A Dog For The Holidays

With Christmas being right around the corner, it's not uncommon for families to get puppies as a gift for their family member or themselves over the holidays. As wonderful as a gift dogs and puppies are, unfortunately, often times they are soon surrendered for adoption because not enough research was done to ensure the dog you are getting is a good fit for you and your family. Often times, important things to consider prior such as dog's breed, dog's energy levels, dog's temperament, dog's grooming and health needs, the time, attention, and training required, etc. are overlooked before bringing a dog home. For example, if you are interested in a low maintenance dog, a golden doodle, though adorable, may not be the best choice because they require daily brushing and regular grooming every 6-8 weeks to avoid matted hair (see blog post on matting ). Dogs are not objects, dogs are living, breathing creatures and most importantly, they are family. We encourage everyone

Brand New Salon

Hello! Welcome to our blog! We are a brand new grooming salon that provides services for both cats and dogs in Bon Air. We are located on Buford Road next to Buford Road Pharmacy. Since opening, we have received several questions from clients asking if we are affiliated with the salon that was previously here, Burroughs. We purchased the salon in November and since it has been cleaned, remodeled, and upgraded. The salon is under completely new ownership, new management, and we are in no way affiliated with Burroughs! Our Salon has a completely open concept so that we can visually see your pet the whole time they are in our care. We take every precaution to guarantee safety, which is why we have cameras throughout our facility. We never use any type of heated dryers or enclosed crates. Unlike corporate salons, our main goal is to ensure safety, quality, and a more personable experience. Our Story Mr. Herbert Alexander, the owner of Bows & Bones Pet Grooming, opened the sa

Bows & Bones Pet Grooming

Search This Blog