Home remedies for dogs with skin allergies

After speaking to your veterinarian for tips to keep your dog healthy and to ensure that even a mild symptom isn’t a sign of a more serious, underlying condition, some simple home remedies might be quite beneficial in easing your furbaby’s discomfort.

A dog allergies guide will provide you with some common signs and symptoms that your dog might be suffering from a food or seasonal allergy, and help you to understand why not to leave your dog’s allergies undiagnosed. 

Let’s take a look at some of the natural remedies to help your dog through summer skin allergies and other allergic reactions they may have.

Common causes of skin allergies in dogs

Common symptoms of dog allergies include skin irritation, respiratory and gastrointestinal upsets and ear infections. Possible causes of your furbaby sneezing a lot could be that they have hay fever! Yes, dogs can get this too. *Sneeze*

Flea allergy

A common dog skin allergy, identified by excessive itching, is a flea bite allergy. A dog doesn’t need to be ridden with fleas to react. Did you know a single bite can cause a reaction that lasts for days?

Food allergy

Allergies come from specific proteins found in many ingredients, including beef, chicken, eggs, soy, wheat and more. 

An allergy to an ingredient has nothing to do with the quality of the food you give them. Your dog can also develop an allergy to something that they have eaten all its life.

Contact allergy

If your dog presents with symptoms only during a certain time of the year, it could be due to a certain tree or grass pollen. Other contact allergies can come from dust or mould. 

Staphylococcus Hypersensitivity

This can be diagnosed through an examination of a biopsy and occurs when your dog’s immune system overreacts to the normal Staphylococcus bacteria on its skin. It usually appears when other conditions such as hypothyroidism, a flea bite allergy or when another allergy is present.

Home remedies for dogs with skin allergies

Managing seasonal allergies in dogs can be achieved with some dog skin allergy home remedy solutions. There are plenty of ways you can help your furbaby when you see signs your dog has pollen allergies. 

Take a look at some of these popular dog skin allergies home treatment ideas. 

Chamomile tea for an upset tummy

One of the best foods for a dog with allergies that present with gastrointestinal issues is chamomile tea. 

It can soothe the stomach by decreasing cramps and reducing inflammation of mucous membranes and the stomach lining. 

You can add some tea directly to your dog’s food or water bowl, or even try directly (and gently) syringing it into their mouths. if they're being wary and you really want to help them.

Apple cider vinegar as an anti-fungal treatment

By mixing 50% apple cider vinegar to 50% water into a spray bottle, you can spray onto itchy spots for relief and as an antibacterial and antifungal solution. 

Be sure not to spray this on open wounds as it may sting and even worsen symptoms.

Coconut oil to soothe discomfort

Applied directly to your dog’s skin, coconut oil can be a soothing relief to dry, flaky and itchy skin.

It also has natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and can be given orally as well. Just be sure to consult your veterinarian before adding anything to your dog's diet. 

Aloe vera - a powerful healing agent

It doesn’t matter what the cause of the itchiness is, aloe vera can be used to relieve your dog’s skin. Make sure the aloe vera you purchase is 100% natural, or simply harvest from home if you can, making sure to remove the toxic rim and yellow portion. 

You can apply this to any spot or sore to reduce redness and as a powerful healing agent.

Oatmeal bath

Oatmeal baths are great for itchy skin, if you’ve ever had chickenpox, you might remember this natural remedy yourself!

For maximum benefits, grind oatmeal into a fine powder and add it to warm water. Have your dog soak in this water for about 15 minutes to reduce inflammation, and itchiness and soothe hot, uncomfortable skin. 

It is especially great for dogs with hot, itchy feet and is completely safe and non-toxic. 

Epsom Salt Bath

Magnesium-rich Epsom salts provide relief for aching muscles and can speed up the healing of wounds. They can cause abscesses to open and drain, relieve pressure and promote healing. 

Great for foot sores or for anywhere where open wounds are an issue, as many other home remedies cannot be applied to such sores. Just be sure to not let your furbaby drink any of the water, as it can cause diarrhea. 

Baking soda

Making a thick paste of baking soda and water and applying it to itchy skin can reduce itching and skin irritation and dry out rashes. Let it sit on their skin for about 15 minutes before washing off. Do not let them lick it away. You can also add some baking soda to their bath.

Managing your dog's skin allergies with a well-balanced diet

In addition to directly treating discomfort with some home remedies, an effective dog skin allergies treatment should also consider what your dog is eating. A holistic approach is going to ensure the best possible results as you look to improve your furbaby’s quality of life.

Common causes and solutions of why your dog is itchy could be a result of what they are eating. An elimination diet might help you to identify a certain ingredient that is causing symptoms to occur.  

A fish-based diet or diet containing fish oils is often touted as one of the best dog allergy remedies because it not only is a novel protein, meaning it is not a common food source for dogs and therefore your dog is less likely to be allergic to it, but the oils found in fish are great for the skin and joints as well.

Our final thoughts

Dog allergy remedies should always be approved by a veterinarian, but do discuss with them some home remedies which can be very effective before looking into prescriptions as a solution to your dog’s irritation. 

Some common, household ingredients can be effective dog skin allergy treatments and by identifying the source of the allergy and removing it, such as with this flea treatment guide for pet owners, you can hopefully get on top of their discomfort.

Couple this with choosing a good quality diet designed to support their skin health and your furbaby will be feeling their happy selves in no time!