USING NATURAL SOLUTIONS TO COMBAT ALLERGIES

Does your dog suffer from allergies? You are not alone! Unfortunately, it’s becoming more and more common. So, what exactly are allergies?

Allergies are the response you see from the body when it can’t process certain allergens it comes into contact with. These allergens can come from seasonal changes, the environment, food, or other toxins. They often present through the skin, respiratory system and/ or digestive system.

When the immune system is weakened or compromised it makes it easier for inflammation and disease to set in and for allergic responses to flare. A healthy immune system will identify potentially harmful pathogens, like bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites and work to eliminate them before they become a risk. A weak immune system cannot fight them off, leading to inflammation, which leads to disease and allergic reactions.

Over 70% of the immune system resides in the gut, so gut health is paramount in reducing allergic reactions. A healthy gut means healthy skin.

There are certain medications that offer relief from the allergy symptoms, but they don’t address the actual problem causing the reaction and can make it worse as they suppress the immune system to stop the inflammatory response, which then leaves your dog more susceptible to infections, inflammatory disease and even exacerbate cancer.

Instead, it is better to use natural solutions to help balance the gut health, boost the immune system and heal the skin.

A great place to start is with their diet. Less processed food equals less inflammation. Offer fresh foods with a good amount of fibre to aid digestion. Its also recommended to add a probiotic, like kefir, daily to your dog’s food to help the gut flora, and digestive enzymes to help break down the food and make it easier to digest. Omega 3 oil can also be beneficial, as well as bone broth.

Exercise also plays a vital role in keeping your dogs immune system healthy and functioning well. Excess fat can cause an increase in hormones which puts pressure on the immune system, effectively weakening it, so fat burning exercise is vital for a healthy immune system.

Another natural solution that can be beneficial for bringing the gut flora and the immune system back into balance is essential oils. Certain essential oils have been shown to help promote healthy inflammatory responses, protect against seasonal threats, support the immune system, and protect against environmental threats. They can also help to ease current allergy symptoms as well as helping to prevent future ones.

By using them topically, diffusing, and in some cases, giving them internally, essential oils can really be of benefit to your dog if they are suffering from allergies.

The combination of Lavender, Lemon and Peppermint is great for easing allergy symptoms due to their antihistamine, anti­inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. This combination is perfect to diffuse when there’s extra pollen in the air and seasonal threats are high. It can also be used diluted on the skin where rashes occur or where there may be an insect bite or sting. Given orally, they can help to relieve allergic reactions like hives.

Essential oils like Clove, Oregano, Copaiba, Frankincense, Lavender, Rose, Geranium, Turmeric and Cardamom have been shown to support the immune system as they are packed with antimicrobial, antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant properties that help maintain balance in the immune system. These can be given internally in wet food or diluted and applied down the spine and between the paw pads on the back feet.

To soothe rashes and itchy skin you can make and use my itchy skin solution.

Use Aloe Vera Gel as a base. If you don’t have Aloe Vera Gel you can use fractionated coconut oil instead.

To 60ml Aloe Vera Gel add 10 drops Lavender EO, 5 drops Copaiba EO, 5 drops Myrrh EO, 5 drops

Helichrysum EO and 5 drops Geranium EO. Mix ingredients together well and apply a small amount to the affected area up to 4 times per day, as needed.

It is also essential to avoid using toxic chemicals on and around your dog as much as possible as they play a huge role in destroying your dogs gut health and immune system and prevention is always the best route to take! Go natural where you can, starting with your household cleaners and flea and tick meds. The less they are exposed to the better.

Remember, heal the gut, you heal the skin!

For more information on this topic feel free to follow me on Instagram or Facebook. You can find me at Canine Aromatherapy. I am always happy to answer questions about dogs and their health! Until next time, Happy oiling!

Soothe Rashes And Itchy Skin

• 60ml Aloe Vera Gel

• 10 drops Lavender EO

5 drops Copaiba EO

5 drops Myrrh EO

5 drops Helichrysum EO

5 drops Geranium EO

Mix ingredients together well and apply a small amount to the affected area up to 4 times per day, as needed.

If you are looking for more recipes for natural alternatives to the products mentioned above, you can find most of them on my Instagram or Facebook page @ caninearomatherapy

Please Note: I only recommend doTERRA essential oils as I can vouch for their purity, safety and efficiency. All recipes are made with doTERRA oils in mind. Please be mindful that synthetic or adulterated oils may not be safe for your dog.

WRITTEN BY HELLE LAURIDSEN