Dogs get allergies just like their caretakers do, whether it be environmental or the food they eat. Most symptoms that dogs experience can include sinus inflammation, sneezing, coughing, excessive mucus, runny eyes,diarrhea, yeast infections, and skin irritations like rashes and hot spots. There are natural ways to help your dog with these symptoms that don’t involve shots or steroids. Natural remedies can work just as well, and your dog deserves the best treatment possible.

Most importantly check with your veterinarian before performing any of the following remedies:

1. Natural dietary supplements
Natural supplements can be added to your dog’s food to help get the antioxidants they need to treat a food allergy. Quercetin is referred to as “nature’s Benadryl” and acts as an antioxidant, antihistamine, and anti-inflammatory, which can improve your dog’s breathing. Bromelain is an enzyme extracted from pineapple and when taken with quercetin is thought to have synergistic effects. Papain is an enzyme derived from papaya and contains enzymes that help break down proteins into smaller fragments known as amino acids and peptides. They are great for getting rid of mucus and like quercetin help with inflammation.

2. Apple cider vinegar and coconut oil
If you notice your dog biting and licking its paws due to irritation, then chopping up some thyme can help with reliving that if you put some between your dog’s toes. Apple vinegar and coconut oil infused with fish oil can help kill bacteria, help with digestion and boost your dog’s immune system.

3. Bathe with oats
Natural oat baths are great for your dog if they are dealing with food or skin allergies, but not great if they are dealing with a yeast infection. Mixing in a bowl of oat straw in your dog’s bath can be soothing for their skin, reduce itching, and get rid of any bacteria on the skin that is causing the irritation.

4. Soothing aloe gel
After the bath, applying aloe vera gel to the heated and irritated spots can help soothe your dog’s skin and cool down any hot spots it might have. Chickweed gel is also a good gel to use for soothing hot spots, red bumps, and is good to use if the weather is too hot outside. You can even use a Listerine-baby oil mixture to treat irritated spots as well.

5. Elimination diet
Eliminating certain products and people food can help with your dog’s food allergies. With permission from your veterinarian switching from a gluten diet to a gluten free dog food diet can help with certain dog allergies obtained from the foods they eat. The elimination diet should be conducted by providing a source of protein that your dog has not eaten before. This type of diet is meant to last for 8 to 12 weeks to identify which foods are contributing to their symptoms. Most importantly, this is a very strict diet and they should eat nothing else.

6. Quality water
Sometimes less is more, even for dogs. Your dog’s water quality might be poor and could be the main reason why your dog is sick or has allergies. Water that is impure and filled with unwanted bacteria might be the reason your dog is getting sick. Another productive thing to do is get away from plastic bowls and switch to a metal bowl. Always wash their bowls thoroughly, make sure they stay clean, and don’t sit around all day attracting unwanted bacteria or disease.