Allergies in Dogs (Atopic Dermatitis)

My dog, Owen, gets itchy around this time every year. It began to occur when he was about 2 years old and has gotten to be more severe each year. This year it has been severe enough to need to be medicated. Dogs with atopic dermatitis will, in addition to the itching, often have fur that is tinged brown from licking themselves. They also will sometimes develop discolored areas of skin in areas that are most affected. You can see the brownish fur in some areas on Owen's paws in the picture below, because he has been licking them a lot.

Aside from the necessary trip to the veterinarian (which you should do!) to diagnose and begin treatment, here are five things you can potentially do at home to help with allergies in your dog (with your veterinarians consent).

1. Bathe your dog.

Bathing your dog will help to remove pollen and other allergens from their skin and therefore help to reduce the reaction. This can be done at varying intervals depending on your individual dog and what your vet recommends. I bathe Owen every week. I use a shampoo that has natural ingredients and that has a conditioner built in. This helps to condition his skin to make a better barrier. Bathing will also help prevent infections from dirty skin. There are many good brands so find one that you like and that works for your dog!

2. Apply topical sprays/creams to help relieve the itch.

This one, especially, needs to be done on the advice of your veterinarian. I use a spray that contains both hydrocortisone and lidocaine. It will help with particularly itchy areas and help prevent sores from developing due to scratching.

3. Administer antihistamines (ONLY IF YOUR VETERINARIAN SAYS THIS IS OK).

My veterinarian recommended that I start administering an antihistamine to Owen. I am not going to mention which one here or a dose because that varies from dog to dog. Some dogs will not be helped by this treatment so working with your vet is crucial here.

4. Wipe your dog off with pet wipes or other wipes every time they go out and come back inside.

This is the same idea as the bathing, only is done more frequently.

5. Consider adding an omega-3 supplement to the food or feed a food that is higher in omega-3 fatty acids (a food designed for dermatological conditions, for example).

I hope that these tips help your itchy dog to recover faster! As always, contact your veterinarian with any concerns you have about your pup and stay happy and not itchy!