What Can I Give My Dog for Allergies? (2024)

OTC Medications

If your dog has a skin infection, external parasites, or food allergies, using an over-the-counter product may not help and may make it worse. If your dog is not responding, consult with your veterinarian.

Antihistamines

Many dogs respond well to human OTC allergy medicine that you can purchase at most drug stores. The most common antihistamine for dogs is diphenhydramine (brand name Benadryl). Also found in , diphenhydramine is safe in most dogs if given in the recommended dosage of 1 mg of diphenhydramine per pound of body weight given by mouth. For example, if you have a 25-pound dog, then you would give 25 mg of diphenhydramine.

Giving dogs Benadryl may make some dogs sleepy, and other dogs hyper, and is not safe for all dogs. So, talk with your veterinarian before giving it to your dog.

If Benadryl doesn’t work for your dog, there are other OTC antihistamines available, including hydroxyzine, loratadine (brand name Claritin), chlorpheniramine, clemastine, fexofenadine, and cetirizine (Zyrtec). Talk with your veterinarian about which option is best for your dog, and the correct dosage to administer.

Anti-allergy Wipes and Shampoos

If your dog has seasonal allergies, then giving oral antihistamines in conjunction with wiping or washing allergens off your dog is very helpful in preventing itching.

• You can either wipe your dog with a pet wipe, like TropiClean Oxy Med Allergy Relief Wipes after they go outside and roll in the grass.
• Or you can bathe your dog periodically with a hypoallergenic shampoo, like Vet's Best Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo for Dogs or Perfect Coat Gentle Hypoallergenic Shampoo.
• You could also try using a shampoo designed to reduce itching, such as PetHonesty's Allergy Anti-Itch Shampoo.
• Veterinary shampoos and conditioners, likeVirbac Epi-Soothe ShampooandCream Rinse, are also formulated to quickly reduce itching and dryness.

When bathing a dog for allergies, it is important to leave the lather on your dog for five to 10 minutes before rinsing and to thoroughly rinse the shampoo with cool water. Do not use hot water because it can dry their skin and make the itching worse. Aim for bathing itchy dogs no more than one to two times per week to control itching.

DIY Remedies

Omega-3Fatty Acids

Some dogs with seasonal allergies respond well to fish oil supplementation. Studies have shown that fish oil supplements, like , help reduce inflammation associated with skin allergies and help skin cells maintain a strong barrier against allergens. You can give a dog too much fish oil, however, and fish oil is not indicated for all dogs. So, consult with your veterinarian on the appropriate dosage before giving fish oil to your dog.

The omega-3 fatty acids that help dogs with allergies are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). While dogs can convert GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) and ALA (gamma-linolenic acid and alpha-linolenic acid, respectively—the fatty acids found in evening primrose oil and flaxseed), they do so poorly, and benefit the most from fatty acid supplementation from fish or krill oil. Also, many OTC fish oil products do not have high enough concentration of omega-3 fatty acids to help with allergies. Ask your vet for a specific dosage for your dog.

Probiotics

Some dogs with seasonal allergies benefit from taking a probiotic.

Allergies are due to inflammation and an abnormally hyper reactive immune system. The largest immune system in the body is called the GALT, and it is in the gut. Unhealthy or inflamed intestines with abnormal gut bacteria can contribute to allergies, which is why supplementing an allergic dog with probiotics may help reduce inflammation in the body and rebalance their gut immune system.

Do not supplement dogs with human probiotics as human gut bacteria is different from canine. Use a canine-specific product, like .

Quercetin

Quercetin may benefit dogs with allergies in much the same way that antihistamines do. Quercetin reduces inflammation and histamine release associated with seasonal allergies in dogs, and it works synergistically with bromelain to create a more potent anti-inflammatory effect. So, look for a supplement that contains both.

The dosage is 5 to 10 mg per pound of body weight twice daily. For example, a 20-pound dog would take 100 to 200 mg twice daily.

You can purchase quercetin anywhere supplements are sold. Just make sure it doesn’t contain other ingredients, like xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. When in doubt, ask your veterinary care team for safe supplement recommendations.

Prescription Medicine

Sometimes, home remedies for dog allergies are not enough, and you need something from your veterinarian that is prescription-strength to stop the itch. Fortunately, there are many products available that can be used alone or in combination with home remedies for dog allergies to provide the right amount of relief for your dog, including:

• Prescription topical treatments
• Prescription oral treatments
• Allergy shots

Always make sure you tell the vet what OTC and holistic remedies you are currently giving your dog, as they can potentially interact with prescription meds.

Topical Treatments

If your dog has an itchy, red hot spot, Animax Ointment (a prescription topical treatment that combines a corticosteroid, an antifungal and an antibiotic) may help. Topical sprays containing a steroids, like Genesis Spray by Virbac, are often prescribed for local itchy hot spots as well.

Oral Treatments

If OTC oral antihistamines, fish oils, and topical products aren’t cutting it, then it’s time to explore prescription dog allergy treatment options for your itchy dog.

In the old days, the only oral prescription options available were steroids, like prednisone, prednisolone, triamcinolone, and betamethasone. While these medications did stop allergy symptoms, they also came with a whole host of negative side effects, including increased appetite, increased water consumption and urination, and increased susceptibility to infections, to name a few. Steroids are also less effective with food allergies.

Oral and injectable steroids are still used and prescribed in some dog allergy cases, but there are new medications available that still stop itching without the negative side effects.

Atopica

Atopicais the brand name for cyclosporine, a medicine for dogs with allergies.

• It’s generally considered safe but can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite in some dogs. You can lower the chance of negative side effects by keeping Atopica in the freezer.
• Atopica must be given one to two hours before food or two hours after food.
• Most veterinarians will require annual bloodwork and an exam to fill this prescription.
• Atopica takes four to six weeks to provide relief, and steroids may be prescribed to your dog in the interim to control allergy symptoms.

Apoquel

Apoquelis another newer prescription allergy relief for dogs that is touted to have even fewer side effects than Atopica.

• Apoquel takes effect within four hours and can be started or stopped at any time to control itching.
• It works by targeting and inhibiting the itch and inflammation signaling pathway.
• It’s administered twice daily for up to 14 days and can be given long-term with a low incidence of side effects.
• Apoquel should not be given to dogs with existing parasitic skin infestations or pre-existing cancers.

Temaril-P

Your veterinarian may also recommend treatment withTemaril-P, an oral prescription allergy medication that combines the antihistamine trimeprazine with the steroid prednisolone.

• This medication can be given to control seasonal or flea allergies.
• As prescription-strength products can have unwanted side effects and possible safety concerns for people, they should only be used under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Allergy Shots

If your dog cannot tolerate oral medications or you do not want to give oral medications over a long period of time, you may want to talk to your veterinarian about giving allergy injections, commonly known as allergy shots.

There are two main allergy shots available:

1. Traditional allergy shots created by a skin or blood test
2. General prescription option, Cytopoint

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy is less common but something to potentially discuss with your vet.

Traditional Allergy Shot

The traditional allergy shot requires that you take your dog either to your local veterinarian or a veterinary dermatologist for allergy testing. Allergies are tested with a blood test or with a skin prick test. The skin prick test is considered more accurate and is usually only done by veterinary dermatologists.

Once the test is done, an allergy serum is created. This allergy serum is administered via a series of injections and is intended to desensitize your dog over time to the allergens that cause them grief. Allergy shots are the only way to truly reduce the instances of allergy symptoms. All other treatments are aimed at controlling symptoms.

Cytopoint

Cytopointis another option that is administered as an injection. It starts providing relief within one day and controls allergic itching for four to eight weeks. It works by targeting and neutralizing interleukin 31 (IL-31), a chemical messenger in your dog’s body that makes him itchy.

Cytopoint is only available through your local veterinarian and has a low incidence of side effects. It may be a good option if your dog cannot tolerate oral medications, isn’t responding to oral medications, or has concurrent diseases that prohibit the administration of other allergy medications.

Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Therapy

Platelet Rich Plasma and stem cell therapy, both of which have been used to treat joint disease for quite some time in dogs, have also been shown to have a positive effect in dogs who are suffering from seasonal allergies. Talk to your vet about these cutting-edge therapies.