6 Ways to Help Your Pet With Seasonal Allergies
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Seasonal allergies can be quite bothersome, not just for your pet but for you as well! Losing sleep because your dog won’t stop shaking the bed from itching and chewing can lead to many restless nights. Fortunately, there are nutritional and supplemental remedies for itching and scratching that could help you avoid expensive vet visits. Let’s explore these solutions to make going outside this spring possible!
Salmon Oil
First and foremost, my favorite remedy for most inflammatory allergies is salmon oil, you will always find me raving about salmon oil to someone because it's just so incredible! Salmon oil has restorative properties due to the EPA(Eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) found in it. These are forms of Omega-3s that are the easiest for bodies to break down and use compared to other forms of Omega-3s such as Omega-3s found in plant protein. I have another blog post here: Where I go into more detail on exactly what salmon oil is and how it cured my dog Charlie of his hot spots and itching. But to sum it up, salmon oil strengthens collagen because of the extra EPA and improves the skin's barrier to be resistant to seasonal, food, and even flea allergies. Salmon oil can also cure many other issues in the body, so be sure to check out my other post on that topic here. And my favorite salmon oil I use for my dog Charlie is found here.
Bee Pollen
Never would you think that bees of all things could help your pet fight off seasonal allergies, did you? Neither did I! After lots of research I found out about bee pollen. An underappreciated creation from bees that starts on the hardworking backs of worker bees when they go to collect pollen. Once pollen is collected it's mixed with bee saliva and nectar to create a super supplement! Not just for bees to consume, but for you and your fur children as well. Unlike honey the process of how it's synthesized by bees is different, honey is also higher in sugar. Bee pollen is about 50% carbohydrate and about 31% protein! Making it a great addition to food to aid in muscle mass. Bee pollen also contains flavonoids such as Quercetin, a plant pigment that has strong anti-microbial properties stopping fungus, viruses, and bacteria from forming due to its chemical compounds, this is especially good for pets prone to yeast buildup. Another fact about bee pollen is it has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties found in the high percent of Omega-3s that help repair the skin barrier both internally and externally. Resulting in healthier organ function and stronger skin to defend itself against allergens. Great during the seasons when pollen is actually causing the problems! Weird isn’t it? Make sure if you look into supplementing with bee pollen that it’s organic and from an area where the forage and flowers are not sprayed with pesticides. The recommended amount is 1 teaspoon a day for every 50 pounds, but I would start with an amount of about 1/3rd the recommended in the beginning to make sure that your pet has no adverse reactions to it. Dogs, cats, and even people can benefit from this incredible bee food. Check out your local beekeepers to see if it's possible to grab some from them! One way you can find local bee pollen or honey is by using a local market or local business finder. I use this site here to help me with my search! The company I use is Beeline Organic, who has bee farms in both Washington State and California. This is what is local for me and if you are in either of those states, I would check out their website here. Their bee pollen will be available around mid-May-June!
Bone Broth
Bone broth keeps your pet hydrated, especially if they aren’t big water drinkers, and adds essential nutrients to their diet. Bone broth contains collagen, which helps to repair skin and add moisture back into the skin. Collagen also repairs and forms most other structures in your body, like bones, muscles, and tendons. I opt for turkey broth because turkey is less inflammatory than beef and chicken broth, and it’s easy to digest. In the summertime, freezing bone broth for your pet is a great way to cool them down and boost their nutrient intake! For kitties, chicken broth is okay as it's not as inflammatory for cats as it is for dogs. Or you can also do turkey or even tuna bone broth for them. Below is a list of my favorite bone broths. Each broth I recommend is made in the USA and some may contain a few added ingredients to further help with inflammation like turmeric and cinnamon, here via Amazon is Solidgolds dog bone broths with ingredients added to help with inflammation. Make sure you read the ingredient panel to make sure your pet is not allergic to anything. If you want a more simple broth without any extra ingredients then Native Pets dog and cat bone broth would be the one for you, click here via Amazon for that link. And lastly is CARU dog and cat bone broth which is made in the US as well and is thicker to add a tasty flavor coating to your pet’s food to get your pet to love meals! Find that here Via Amazon.
Goats Milk
Goat's milk is rich in probiotics, which can help promote a healthy gut and, in turn, lead to healthier skin. When the gut is functioning well, the body can absorb more nutrients from food, benefiting the skin. Therefore, a healthy gut contributes to healthy skin. Additionally, goat's milk is hydrating and contains Omega-3 fatty acids, which are excellent for repairing damaged cells and reducing inflammation, including seasonal inflammation. Unlike cow's milk, goat's milk is easier to digest because it contains lipase, an enzyme that aids in the breakdown of fats and lactose. While lipase is naturally produced in the pancreas, it is also present in goat's milk, making it easier to digest once it reaches the stomach due to the lipase breaking down the lactose naturally found in milk. In contrast, standard pasteurized cow milk does not contain lipase, making it more challenging for the body to digest, which is why many people and pets do not tolerate regular milk well unless the milk is raw and unpasteurized, still containing its lipase. Unfortunately, there are dangers to drinking raw cow milk, do your research before buying raw cow's milk. Here Via Amazon, is my favorite dehydrated goats milk powder that my dog Charlie loves every few days as a tasty and nutrient-packed topper!
Kefir
Similar to goat's milk, kefir is a probiotic and vitamin-rich yogurt-like liquid that is thinner in consistency than yogurt and is created by adding kefir grains to milk and allowing it to ferment. The fermentation process of the milk makes the milk easier to digest, which is great for those with lactose intolerance. To note, kefir grains are not actual grains but are actually a combination of bacteria and yeast that form a symbiotic culture. This process is what makes kefir great for your gut and the bacteria found in kefir help to inhibit the growth of bad bacteria, which helps to protect your skin and body from bacteria infections and inflammation. Rich in vitamin B and Vitamin K which boosts collagen production the skin will then be strengthened, especially during times of seasonal allergies. Kefir can be made from goat or cow's milk and is safe to be consumed even if lactose intolerant due to its fermentation process. Kefir is a great addition to dry kibble to add a boost of probiotics and hydration to kibble, making sure your dog's skin and fur stay moisturized and strong for the allergy season. You can find kefir at most natural grocery stores and even at some regular grocery stores, but watch out for additives and opt for organic.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is known as a great oil for internal and external uses, especially for allergies and allergy symptoms. Coconut oil contains what's called Lauric Acid. A medium chain fatty acid that when consumed by the body, gets converted into Monolaurin, a substance that disrupts the cells of bacteria and fungi, and stops the replication of viruses. If your dog or cat tends to have smelly and greasy fur, or yeasty ears or paws like a bloodhound or labrador with floppy ears! You can add coconut oil topically and it should rid your baby of the yeast infection! Coconut oil can also be consumed and there are many at-home recipes to make pet treats with coconut oil to improve your pet’s immunity against inflammation and the microbes that may be causing it. To conclude, coconut oil is a great addition to dogs and cats suffering from seasonal allergies or yeast infections, whether for topical skin problems like hot spots or orally in food or treats to improve immunity from the inside out. The dog food brand Merrick has a line of dog chews that contain coconut oil and mint, helping not only to freshen breath but destroy harmful mouth and gut bacteria, find those chews here.
