Just like us, our companions can suffer from seasonal allergies, and as a result the spring season can be one of the most irritating times of the year for pet guardians. To make things worse, many pet owners may not realize the seasonal impact until the symptoms are raging.
Think about it: the sun is shining, flowers are starting to bloom, and your pup is having a blast rolling around in the grass. While doing so, he picks up those environmental allergens such as pollen, dust, grasses, mold, ragweed, and more. Then, he tracks them back into the house, where he is continuously exposed to them.
As spring is finally setting in, it’s important to make sure that you know how to tell if your pet is suffering from allergies, and what you can do to help ease their discomfort.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF PET ALLERGIES
We all know the signs when we start to feel our own allergies coming on: the itchy, runny nose, watering eyes, sneezing, or coughing. However, with dogs and cats, the signs are visible most prominently in the skin.
Here are some of the most common signs to look for:
- Itchy or red feet, belly, or armpits
- Watery or goopy eyes
- Yeasty pockets in skin creases or the ears
NATURAL WAYS TO SOOTHE YOUR PET
Luckily, if you’ve spotted some of these signs, there are a few things you can do at home to control pet allergies and give your furry pal some relief.
Decrease sugar and starch consumption. Fruits and vegetables that contain high sugar and starch can trigger allergies because they provide ideal food for yeast.
Adding bone broth to their food will help to boost your pet’s immune system and also soothe their tummy if they happen to eat dirt or grass. Allergies are an immune response, so one of the best things you can do is focus on keeping their immune system as strong and healthy as possible.
If you are already feeding raw food, avoid adding new formulas or treats during seasonal allergy peaks, such as the spring and the fall. Normally, a variety is good for their balanced nutrition and we would encourage this. However, when they are fighting off allergies, most pets benefit more from a few weeks of a single or novel protein because it helps build up the tolerability in their system. Thus, they are better able to fight off those environmental intruders.
HOW A RAW FOOD DIET CAN HELP
Did you know that a raw food diet can significantly reduce and control pet allergies? Switching your pet, even partially, can make a difference for their immune system and natural defence.
Some ingredients in commercial pet food can contain items that are unnatural for dogs to eat, which can in turn lead to internal inflammation. While the body is focused on addressing the inflammation it becomes less able to defend against environmental triggers. When you feed your pet a raw food diet, you are eliminating the fillers, dyes, and other artificial ingredients from their diet and providing them with the natural ingredients that fuel their body.
It’s never too late to start transitioning your pet to a raw food diet. Simply making the change in their food could drastically reduce the effects of pet allergies. Get in touch with us now to learn more about how it all works and how you can make your pet feel better than ever.