Is your dog snoring a lot lately? It’s spring and
that means there’s a great deal of pollen and dust in the air across the
country. If your dog is suddenly wheezing and snorting as well as snoring, you
might want to have him or her checked for allergies.
The evening seems to
be the worst time for pets in terms of itching and sniffling before falling
asleep. Maybe you’ve tried home remedies to no avail. Here are some allergy-reducing
tips you can consider for your dogs. As always, consult your vet prior to trying
anything below if you have additional questions.
Frequent Baths/Foot Soaks:
Dogs pick up
anything and everything when outside during spring and summer. They roll around
in the grass – and other undesirables; they step in anything – the yuckier, the
better as far as they’re concerned; and they rub themselves up against trees
and shrubs. They are simply walking allergies after a day at play.
Baths and foot soaks are wonderful ways to provide relief to itchy skin and eliminate outside allergens from coats and skin. Try a grain-free, oatmeal, or tea tree oil infused shampoo. Both have been known to help with itchy skin, redness due to scratching, and hot spots. If there’s no time for a bath or foot soak, make sure to wipe off their paws before entering the house. It helps keep some of the allergies at bay.
PAWZ Boots:
Even with baths and foot soaks, some dogs may still end up having awful
scratching fits. Consider getting your dog some PAWZ Boots to keep feet dry and clean, plus they help with the scratching. Generally
these are only worn when outdoors. You can find them online or at pet-supply retailers.
Humidifier/Air Purifier: Pet dander, dust mites, and mold spores can cause serious
indoor allergies, but did you know the same also can be allergens for your
pets? They can even be allergic to bacteria on their skin and coat. Keeping a
reasonable humidity level indoors can help with both pet and human allergies. Try
using a few humidifiers in your home during winter, aiming to keep the humidity
around 35-45%. This reduces the dust-mite population greatly because they need
higher humidity levels to thrive. It's not foolproof, however. While you can
regulate the humidity quite well in the winter you still will often run into
problems during late spring and summer.
That’s the time to
add an air purifier into the allergy-prevention mix. These work best in a room
where you can keep the windows and door closed. They work by reducing particles
in the air that may be composed of pet dander, mites, dust, and mold. Air
purifiers will clean most allergens out of the air but not off surfaces.
Keep a Tidier Home: For surfaces that collect allergens, keeping your home as clean
as possible is vital. For example, in the bedroom where most allergy attacks
occur, the Mayo Clinic recommends encasing a mattress and pillows in
dust-mite-proof covers and washing all bedding at least once weekly; this will
also help with dog hair that gathers on bedding. They also recommend curtains
made of plain cotton, which you wash on a regular basis and using washable
shades instead of blinds. So, scrub and clean more than usual to help with
everyone’s allergies!
Supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids can help with inflammation during allergy
season. It's also great for a dog’s skin. A suggested recommendation is to add 1000mg
to their dinner every other night or so – just open the capsule and pour the
liquid over their food. Coconut oil is also great for allergies. It contains
lauric acid, which has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. The
recommended dosage is 1/4 teaspoon for every 10 pounds of a dog’s weight, given
twice a day.
OTC and Prescription Meds: If all else fails, medicines such as Benadryl or Zyrtec can be
given to pets with skin issues and seasonal allergies. Make certain to ask your
vet for your pet’s proper dosages. If all else fails to keep your pet healthy
and comfortable during allergy season, consider prescription medications and/or
allergy shots. For severe issues that are uncontrollable, you may want to talk
with your vet about those options.
For pet-sitting with a personal touch, contact
Dee Hopkins at 517.546.0439 and visit http://www.ddspetpatrol.com.
Written by Dee Hopkins in collaboration with Ginger Sprinkle at
nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).
