Many longtime dog owners swear by putting a little apple cider vinegar in their dog’s drinking water, adding some garlic to food to prevent fleas, or using pumpkin for worming. These and other old-time remedies have been around a long time and are a natural way to treat your dog for many common complaints.

Popular — and time-tested — natural dog remedies.

Natural Flea Remedies

Add a little garlic (powder form is fine) or brewer’s yeast to your dog’s food each day. These additives act as a flea repellant since it’s believed that fleas don’t like the taste of your dog’s blood, or his odor, once he’s taking these preventives.

You can also make your own herbal flea powder by mixing together eucalyptus, rosemary, fennel, rue, wormwood and yellow dock. Mix thoroughly and massage into your dog’s coat all the way down to the skin.

For your home, sprinkle borax (sold as 20 Mule Team Borax wash detergent) into your carpet and vacuum up a few hours later. You can also buy diatomaceous earth from your gardening center and sprinkle it in your yard to kill fleas.

Nematodes are another solution to flea problems.

Natural Dog Worming Remedies

Pumpkin seeds have been used to worm dogs though most people still rely on their vets or over-the-counter wormers.

Pumpkin seeds are not recommended as a treatment for heartworms. However, pumpkin pulp is very valuable for digestive issues. Whether your dog has diarrhea or is constipated, a little pumpkin can regulate the digestive tract in many cases. It gets things moving or slows things down but pumpkin seems to do the trick. Be sure to feed plain pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling. Your dog doesn’t need the spices in the pie filling.

Anemia Remedy

For anemia, feed your dog foods that are high in vitamin B and iron. A serving of liver once a day will help.

Natural Arthritis Remedies For Dogs

For arthritic dogs losing weight will take some of the weight off and reduce pain. Help your dog continue to get regular exercise. A soft place to sleep is recommended. Applying heat also h elps.

Some dogs benefit from glucosamine and chondroitin supplements.

Dog Bad Breath Remedy

If your dog has bad breath check his teeth. Bad breath is often a sign that your dog has plaque or a rotten tooth. Your dog may need a tooth pulled or his teeth cleaned. Cut down on or stop feeding canned food since it can worsen teeth problems.

Brush your dog’s teeth regularly.

Carsickness Remedies

For carsickness dogs respond well to ginger cookies, just as children do. Ginger, honey and the flower essence Rescue Remedy are all helpful for this problem.

Remedy For Hotspots

For hotspots, shave the hair around the hotspot. Wash the area with Listerine antiseptic mouthwash. Apply Gold Bond medicated powder.

Use a mix of baking soda and water to make a paste and apply to insect bites.

If your dog has itchy skin from allergies, soak them in a bath of colloidal oatmeal.

Natural Skunk Remedy

If your dog is sprayed by a skunk, don’t despair. Shampoo him with a mixture of one quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 Tablespoon Dawn dish detergent. Repeat as necessary. This WILL get the stink out.

These are just a few proven natural dog remedies. There are many others. If you talk to experienced dog people they will likely be happy to share others with you. You probably won’t need to use all of these remedies but it’s good to have this kind of advice when you need it.

Remember that you should always seek out your veterinarian whenever you have any questions about your dog’s care or if your dog has a serious health problem.

An excellent book on the topic is the Veterinarians Guide to Natural Remedies for Dogs.

Just like humans, your dog’s skin is the largest and one of the most important organs of her body. The skin helps to regulate your dog’s body temperature, helps to prevent the loss of moisture, and keeps away some parasites. Because the skin is so important to your dog’s health, it is important that you understand some of the things that can cause irritations, allergic reactions, and possible infections.

Types of Dog Skin Allergies

Dog Skin Allergies to Fleas and Other Insects

One of the most common dog allergies is a sensitivity to fleas and other insects. It can affect any dog regardless of breed or sex. Flea allergies are most likely to occur during spring and summer, the typical flea season. During these times, the weather usually reaches a warm 80 degrees and stays warm, a prime breeding environment for fleas and mosquitoes. Because it typically occurs only during certain times, it is also considered a seasonal dog allergy.

We talk about flea and insect allergies, but in fact, your dog is actually allergic to one or more of the substances present in the saliva from these insects. Studies have shown that there are at least fifteen different antigens present in flea saliva that can trigger an allergic reaction in your dog.

When the flea, mosquito, or other insect bites your dog, the saliva is injected under your dog’s skin. This can cause an allergic reaction and the skin becomes itchy and inflamed. Itching usually begins immediately after being bitten, and can last long after the fleas have been eliminated. And yes, dogs and mosquitoes can be a potential danger.

Some of the common symptoms of dog allergies from flea bites include:

• itching
• scratching
• biting
• chasing the tail

Problems can occur if you leave a flea or insect allergy untreated. Your dog can really damage her skin. They usually chew and scratch at the irritated areas which can cause the hair to fall out and the skin to become dry and scaly. In some extreme cases, the dog chews and scratches so much, that the skin develops open sores which can become infected. Not good!

If your dog shows signs of a flea or insect allergy and you find fleas on your dog, then she is probably having an allergic reaction to the flea bites. An intradermal skin test can confirm if it is indeed an allergic reaction to flea saliva.

Getting rid of the fleas and controlling the fleas in your dog’s environment will usually take care of the problem. Preventing the flea bites in the first place is key for dogs with flea allergies.

Other Types of Dog Skin Allergies

Like humans, dogs can be allergic to almost anything they come in contact with. There are so many things that can cause a skin irritation to develop. Your dog can be allergic to:

• shampoos
• dog sprays
• dog beds
• carpets
• cats
• other pets

…and the list could on.

If you think your dog might be allergic to something she comes in contact with, the best way to tell is to simply remove that item from your dog’s environment. Of course, it is not always that simple if you think she is allergic to the cat or to your other dog, but you get the point. Try to keep her away from the potential source for a period of time and see if her condition improves. If not, then it is probably not what you thought and you need to keep looking.

Preventing Dog Skin Allergies

One of the best ways to prevent dog skin allergies is to make sure your dog’s skin and coat remain healthy. But maintaining a healthy skin and coat is sometimes not enough. Learning about potential skin irritants and allergens can help you to be more aware of your dog’s environment and can help to prevent dog skin allergies from developing.

Dogs and Allergies is a series of articles discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of dog allergies. Move on to the next article, Seasonal Dog Allergies, or go back to the previous article, How To Identify Allergies in Dogs.

Best,

Omar

Remember, the key to preventing flea allergies is to prevent the flea bites in the first place. For that you will need a good flea and tick treatment.

Many dog allergies share similar symptoms, but with a little time and effort it is possible to narrow down it down to one of the more common dog allergies.

Common Symptoms of Dog Allergies

Seasonal Allergies

• itching (mostly around the face, chest, and belly)
• sneezing
• coughing
• wheezing (similar to an asthma attack)
• watery eyes
• hot spots
• constant licking (especially in the sides and the groin area)

Food Allergies

• diarrhea
• vomiting
• itching skin
• excessive scratching
• licking
• hot spots
• skin infections
• ear infections
• hair loss (excessive shedding)

Flea and Other Parasites

• intense itching
• scratching
• chewing
• biting (especially the tail, stomach or legs)
• hot spots
• inflammation
• skin infection
• hair loss (excessive shedding)

Contact Allergy (contact dermatitis)

• hives
• rashes or red itchy bumps
• blisters
• hot spots
• darkening of the skin
• thickening of the skin
• intense scratching
• hair loss (usually in chronic conditions)

Less Common Symptoms of Dog Allergies

These symptoms as less common, but are more severe allergic reactions:

• hives (Urticaria)
• swelling of the face (Angioedema)
• Anaphylaxis
• shock
• respiratory failure
• cardiac arrest
• death

As you can see, several of the symptoms of dog allergies as similar across the different types of allergies. But the most common allergic reaction is dry and itchy skin. It is characterized by constant scratching, flaking, and scabbing. The bad thing is that your dog may scratch so much that sores can develop, which can lead to an infection. This presents a whole new set of problems.

Hot spots and hair loss are other common symptoms of dog allergies that can occur.

Seeing your dog suffering from any of these symptoms can be troubling and often quite scary. If you notice your dog showing signs of any of these reactions and you suspect that it is allergy related, schedule a visit to your veterinarian. Your dog’s vet can help you to determine the type of allergy and, depending on how severe the symptoms are, will determine what type of treatment would be most effective.

Dogs and Allergies is a series of articles discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of dog allergies. Move on to the next article, How To Identify Allergies in Dogs, or go back to the previous article, Common Dog Allergies.

Best,

Omar Reyes

Follow along with the series by signing up for the RSS Feed (Click Here). If you prefer, enter your name and email in the form below to receive weekly updates. You will also receive the Dog Care Handbook as your special gift .

First, let’s define what an allergen is:

Allergen – an allergen is anything that can trigger an allergic reaction

Common Dog Allergies

Seasonal Allergies

This is the most common cause of itching and scratching in dogs. The culprit is usually the pollen floating around in the environment, and mostly tree and grass pollen. Pollen from flowers do not seem to be much of a problem. Seasonal allergies usually appear three to four weeks in the spring and about the same amount of time again in the fall. During these time you may find your dog sneezing more often.

Food Allergies

Your dog can develop an allergy depending on the diet she is being fed. It can be caused by a particular brand of dog food, or by individual ingredients in the dog’s diet. One of the more common dog allergies from food is a reaction to protein. The symptoms are usually vomiting and diarrhea, although food allergies in dogs can trigger hot spots and other skin problems as well, including hair loss.

Food is usually one of the first things people think causes their dog’s allergies. But only about 15% of dog allergy cases are actually caused by food.

Fleas and Other Parasites

If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors in the spring and summer months, chances are that she will be bitten by fleas and insects. Dogs can develop a reaction to an insect bite which will cause to bite and scratch their itchy skin. These bites are usually from fleas, but they can be from mites as well as other types of insects. Dogs and mosquitoes can also be a problem.

Mold

Living in a hot and humid climate, or a rainy and wet climate can cause your dog to suffer from allergies. This is because moist climates usually causes mold, and dog can be allergic to mold, which usually causes them to itch and scratch.

Allergies to Other Animals

Just like how you and I can be allergic to a cat or a dog, so too can your dog be allergic to another animal. They can be allergic to cats, and even other dogs as well. Birds and other furry pets can also cause dog allergies. This is something that can easily be overlooked, but remember that it can happen.

Contact Allergy

This type of allergy is known as contact dermatitis. It usually manifests as hives, rashes, or other spots in the area where the skin made contact with the antigen. Substances such as cedar chips, wool, and even certain plastics can trigger an allergic reaction. One of the most common culprits is your dog’s bed, because of the filling inside. Sometimes, your dog can also be allergic to the material your carpet is made from.

These are the most common dog allergies that you will encounter. Of course, there are so many more things that can trigger an allergic reaction in your dog, but there are way to many to mention.

Dogs and Allergies is a series of articles discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of dog allergies. Move on the next article, Symptoms of Dog Allergies, or go back to the previous article, My Dog Has Allergies.

To get the job done properly, you may need to buy different types of combs, each designed for a special purpose. They can be purchased in various styles and sizes, with different tooth lengths and spacing.

Here are a few of the products used regularly:

Metal Comb For Dogs

A regular metal comb should have widely spaced teeth on one end and more finely spaced teeth at the other end. These are great because they can work on most types of dog coats.

Start with small sections of the coat by using the widely spaced end first. Comb in the direction the hair grows. Repeat the process with the narrower end.

Dematting Comb For Dogs

These are used to remove tangles and matted fur from the coat. They have sharp, wide spaced teeth designed to untangle the hair. Be careful when using this particular type because you can easily hurt your dog’s skin with the sharp teeth.

Try to hold the hair from the roots when you are detangling the matted fur, if not it hurts your dog when you are combing through the mats.

There are some models with replaceable blades that are recommended if you plan on using your dematting comb on a regular basis.

Rubber Curry Comb For Dogs

These are great for massaging the skin, removing debris and loose, dead hair from the coats of short-haired breeds.

Flea Comb For Dogs

A flea comb has very finely spaced teeth that can remove fleas and their eggs from the dog’s coat. Be sure to clean the comb in a bowl of soap water after each pass through your dog’s coat. This will remove any fleas from the comb and dispose of them in the soapy water.

Choosing the best comb for dogs

Some combs come with handles, while many others do not have them. For the best dog combs, you may prefer to buy one that has stainless steel or a brass coated handle.  Try to get one with spring tempered teeth and rounded tips to prevent damage to the skin.

Fine toothed varieties usually work great on the surface of the skin to remove parasites.  However, going too deep may damage the surface skin of the dog.  This makes it easier for germs and fungus to start an infection.

After combing your dog’s coat, you may need to make sure that there are no scratches or wounds on the skin. If you see any wounds or scratches, be certain to apply a good antiseptic solution.

Before buying a comb for your dog, consider these things…

• The edge of the teeth is not very sharp
• The comb has different spaced teeth on both sides
• The teeth are firm and well laid
• The comb is sturdy with a steel or brass handle
• Buy and extra set of combs

Dog Grooming Advice is an in depth series of articles about proper dog grooming. Go back to the previous article, Dog Grooming Brush.

Best,

Omar Reyes

p.s. Get your dog grooming combs today. With your new set of combs your dog will have a nice healthy coat.