Allergies in dogs and cats – the surprising truth!

Allergies in dogs and cats – the surprising truth!

Does your pet's misery make you unhappy too? Your dog won't stop scratching. She whines and wiggles when you try to relax on the couch.

Or maybe it's your cat... he's scratching his ears in irritation. And you'll find telltale signs of indigestion throughout the house.

If you're dealing with this pet parenting problem, you're not alone. The main reason pet owners take their dog to the vet is because of skin problems.

And here's the other unexpected twist to this story... It may not be fleas, but allergies. Allergies in dogs and cats are the second most common cause of itchy skin. Dogs and cats tend to show allergic reactions through their skin.

It doesn't matter if it's a reaction to food they've eaten... pollen or dust mite dander they've inhaled... or something they've rolled around in... when pets react to an allergen, they usually show it in the form of hives, inflammation, and itching.

So if your pet acts like their skin is burning, they may be having an allergic reaction.

However, before you rush out and spend several hundred dollars to take him to a vet and buy some anti-inflammatory medications, consider this.

You may be able to help his body calm down with just some dietary changes...

Pet Allergies Nutrient #1: Good Food

First, start with the basics. Don't skimp on pet food, because good animal nutrition - just like us - forms the basis for good animal health and a balanced immune system.

Look for pet food that contains a good source of healthy protein - not just leftover skin and fat. And while many animal byproducts in the form of offal and cartilage provide important nutrition for pets, pet food companies do not differentiate between good and bad. Everything goes in. So animal byproducts are usually a less desirable ingredient.

But good protein alone is not enough… you need to make sure the food contains all the amino acids. Without all 18, dogs cannot digest proteins.

Additionally, your pet food should contain all the vitamins and minerals pets need to thrive. And a good portion of fiber. A pet food that contains vegetables as well as meat and grains will provide your pet with this healthy diet.

Finally, some carbohydrates are good. But look for non-GMO grains. Some research on GMO grains suggests that they may cause allergic reactions and inflammation in animals.

But if simply changing your pet's diet to a healthier pet food doesn't alleviate the problem, there are some additional nutritional boosts you can offer your pet...

Pet Allergies Nutrient #2: Probiotics

Just like us, pets need a thriving culture of healthy bacteria in their gut for their immune and digestive systems to function optimally. As with humans, probiotic bacteria can calm your pet's immune system. A study published in the journal,Veterinary immunology and immunopathology, showed how effectively probiotics can do this when given to dogs early in life. In this study, a litter of puppies was exposed to probiotics. The other litter was not. The puppies exposed to the probiotic bacteria, L. rhamnosus, had fewer allergic reactions to lilies, ragweed pollen and dust mites than the puppies that did not receive probiotics. [1]

As pets' diets have shifted to include more canned, cooked and processed foods, their exposure to these helpful microbes has shrunk to zero. Fortunately, more and more pet manufacturers are incorporating probiotic cultures into their formulations. Check the label and look for live, active probiotic cultures.

And to get the most out of your pet's probiotic supplement, consider adding this final nutrient to your pet's diet...

Pet Allergies Nutrient #3: Chlorella

Chlorella nourishes probiotic growth exceptionally well. According to research, chlorella can triple the growth rate of probiotic bacteria.[2]

While this connection between chlorella as a prebiotic and probiotic growth is exciting, it's not the only evidence as to why chlorella can keep your pet relaxed and itch-free...

Researchers wanted to know if chlorella's special diet could help provide relief to pets with skin allergies. In 2008 they designed a small study to check this...

Researchers fed chlorella to a group of 5 beagles suffering from atopic dermatitis for four weeks. Another group of beagles with the same problems received no supplementation. At the end of the four weeks, the veterinarians who looked after the dogs' health were thoroughly impressed. Over 85% of the chlorella group showed significant improvements in both itchy skin on the back and reduction in inflammation in the ears.[3] In fact, one dog's symptoms disappeared completely!

Help your pet relieve allergies naturally

It is miserable to see your pet whining and unable to sit still due to the rashes. Anti-inflammatory medications can provide temporary relief. But they don't get to the heart of the problem - your pet's allergic reaction.

But if you take a different approach—using food strategically to help your pet regain immune and digestive balance—you're giving him a long-term solution. You help them fix the problem from within.

Allergies in dogs and cats are no fun. Even though they may be the itchy ones, the entire household feels their misery. So help your pet get rid of this problem – in a natural and holistic way. This way you and your pet can relax again.

Sources:

[1] Marsella R. Early exposure to probiotics in a canine model of atopic dermatitis has long-term clinical and immunological effects. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. April 15, 2012;146(2):185-9. doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2012.02.013. Epub 2012 March 1.

[2] The Multiple Effects of Chlorella, Management, Menu for Mass Feeding, June 1966, reprinted from Scientific Reports on Chlorella in Japan, Silpaque Pulbishing.

[3] MaedaM et al. The anti-inflammatory effects of chlorella in beagles with skin diseases. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology and Agrochemistry 2008

Inspired by William Farber, DVM