In this episode, I discuss how we handle allergies with our personal dogs. We go over why an allergy test is the best way to start. Further, we discuss what other options to consider when addressing your dog’s allergies with the help of your veterinarian. For reference, the approach we are taking was recommended to us by our veterinarian and is based on their knowledge and additional information from the website VeterinaryPartner.com. Check with your veterinarian before trying any of these suggestions with your dog(s).
According to the website VeterinaryPartner.com, in about 15% of cases, antihistamines help control the symptoms of allergic diseases such as biting, licking, chewing, and scratching. Although this is not a great number, antihistamines are safe, affordable, and worth trying.
Give each antihistamine for a full week for chronic skin allergies. If there is no or minimal improvement, try the next antihistamine on the list. If one of the antihistamines relieves your pet’s symptoms, continue using it.
Occasionally, a pet may seem sleepy. If this occurs, continue to give the next dose as scheduled. Usually, by the second or third dose, the sleepiness resolves. If your pet still seems sleepy after the third dose, stop that antihistamine and try the next one on the list.
Please call your veterinarian immediately if you notice anything unusual with your pet.
Antihistamines Safe for Dogs
Try the antihistamines suggested below, one at a time. Do not combine or mix them. Ensure the antihistamines are free of additives and other medications.
Diphenhydramine (Brand Name: Benadryl), 25mg, give 1 tablet per 25lb of body weight, 2-3 times per day.
Chlorpheniramine (Brand Name: Chlortrimetron), 4mg, give 1 tablet per 25lb of body weight, 2 times per day.
Loratidine (Brand Name: Claritin), 10mg, give ½ tablet per 25lb of body weight, 2 times per day.
Cetirizine (Brand Name: Zyrtec), 5mg or 10mg, give 1 tablet per 25lb of body weight, 1 time per day.
Hydroxyzine (Brand Name: Atarax), 10mg, 25mg, 50mg or 10mg / 5ml give 1 tablet per 25lb of body weight, 2-3 times per day.
If your pet’s symptoms are not controlled, please make a recheck appointment with your veterinarian.
Please call your veterinarian immediately if you notice anything unusual with your pet.
We are located in Southern California and train dogs nationwide. Happy Dog Training currently offers local dog training services in the following counties. Riverside County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, Los Angeles County, and San Diego County. In addition, we offer our board-and-train program nationwide and all virtual training services worldwide.
Do you want your new puppy trained right from the start? Are you looking for help for your fearful dog? Do you need to resolve a severe aggression problem? You came to the right place! We are experienced, professional dog trainers. Ralf has trained over 1500 dogs in over 18 years, and Sarah has trained over 1200 dogs in over 11 years. Consequently, we can help you with any dog training goal.
We can help you, regardless of your dog's challenges or training goals. Being a professional dog trainer means having experience, knowledge, and skill. Further, we developed a highly effective training program to specifically help fearful dogs gain more confidence and become the best possible version of themselves. Building Confidence is our second most popular training program.
Last but not least, we are experts in dealing with all types of aggression in dogs and are often the trainers of last resort after many other programs have failed. Most of our aggressive dog clients previously spent significant money on half-baked solutions without much improvement. This is different from us. We will give you an honest assessment of what goals are realistic for your dog. We will tell you what can be resolved reliably and what likely needs to be managed before we start.
Our flagship product is our board and train program. But our virtual dog training and coaching services have become quite popular over the last couple of years. Our setup enables us to deliver online dog training services from our indoor and outdoor training areas. This allows us to help clients worldwide.
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