Can I treat my dog's allergies at home?

There are, however, ways to minimize your exposure to allergens and lessen your symptoms if you don’t want to part with Fluffy. Some people with dog allergies may find that a saline (salt water) rinse daily to clear nasal passages of allergens can help. OTC saline sprays and nasal lavage kits are readily available. You can also make your own by mixing 1/8 teaspoon of table salt with distilled water. There are several things dog owners can do around the home to reduce allergens. They include: setting up dog-free zones (certain rooms, such as a bedroom, where the dog is not allowed) bathing the dog weekly using a pet-friendly shampoo (done by a non-allergic person) removing carpeting, upholstered furniture, horizontal blinds, curtains, and any other items that may attract dander using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers to reduce airborne allergens in the home keeping the dog outside (only in certain climates in a well-contained area and under humane conditions) looking into hypoallergenic dog breeds using a trial period when introducing a new pet to the family to assess family members’ reactions to the new dog Many of the lifestyle changes and allergy medications listed above can help you to reduce uncomfortable symptoms if you love dogs and don’t want to give up being around them.

While there is no substitute for visiting the vet for prescription allergy drugs and to ensure there are no other causes--fleas are also making their debut and can cause serious itching--or complicating factors such as secondary skin infections, these home remedies can be used in a pinch for mild itching or to make your pet more comfortable until his appointment. Oatmeal baths—colloidal oatmeal has a soothing effect on skin without being drying. A bath in cool to lukewarm water can calm itchy skin. You can also soak your pet’s paws in an oatmeal bath for 5-10 minutes. Apple cider vinegar—the acetic acid in cider vinegar can inhibit yeast on the skin and, when mixed 50:50 with water, this solution can be sprayed on the skin or used as a soak for itchy paws. Epsom Salts—itchy paws can be soaked in a solution of dilute Epsom salts for 5-10 minutes a day to soothe that itch, remove allergens, and improve healing. The above remedies can be tried for mild itching or to improve comfort until your pet is evaluated by your veterinarian. Many skin conditions require veterinary care for proper treatment—your pet may require antibiotics or antifungal drugs in addition to other medications to control itching until the skin heals and, your vet may discuss diagnostics tests or long-term management strategies for allergies.