Best OTC Allergy Medicine for Dogs

Best OTC Allergy Medicine for Dogs

Toy Poodles are known companions of allergy patients

You may not think about allergies as a reason for your dog’s scratching, lack of appetite or constant sneezing but in reality it is just as likely for them as it is for us! Dogs can suffer allergies just as often and easily as humans can, only they can’t do anything about it themselves.

Since it is up to us to try and keep our pets happy and healthy you should learn to recognize whether or not your pet is suffering from allergies.

Common Allergy Symptoms Include:

  • Itching/Scratching/Chewing
  • Hot spots
  • Hives
  • Red/Watery eyes (potentially with discharge)
  • Sneezing/Coughing
  • Lack of appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Types of Allergens

The most common allergies in pets are flea and food allergies – however the other two main categories for allergies in pets include contact and airborne. (Contact allergens include certain soaps, shampoos, type of dirt, etc. Airborne allergies include dust, molds and more.)

You may notice your dog chewing his feet or certain patches of skin more than others. If your dog is allergic to fleas they will likely scratch their skin raw or even cause the skin to break open – which could lead to bacterial infections in some cases.

No matter what your pet is allergic to there is always a way for you to help your poor dog. In most cases an over the counter allergy medicine will work just fine and relieve most symptoms.

However if your dog is allergic to a food item then the process is a little more difficult. In order to determine what food(s) your dog is allergic to you will likely have to do so by process of elimination.

When to See a Vet

If you have tried an over the counter allergy medication such as Diphenhydramine (a generic form of Benadryl) and it has not made a significant difference in your pets’ symptoms then you should consult your vet.

Since many of the symptoms of allergies can also be symptoms of illness it is important to contact your vet if no improvement is seen within 24 hours. If your dog has been vomiting or suffering from diarrhea then it is even more important they see a vet right away.

You will also want to talk to your vet if you think your dog’s allergic to a food product as they will be able to guide you through the proper steps to figure out the allergen by process of elimination. Some vets may even offer a test similar to a scratch test used on humans.

Why Choose Diphenhydramine?

Being the generic form of Benadryl this medication is the most commonly used allergy medication in dogs and in humans as well. It is an effective antihistamine that relieves most allergy symptoms as well as insect stings, motion sickness and more.

If you already have Benadryl in your home you can give your dog a plain version (not combined with any cold/flu/sinus medications) – however if it will be given regularly then Diphenhydramine is far less expensive.

Diphenhydramine is recommended by vets all over the world and it is 100% Guaranteed to work – and it does work extremely well for most common allergies as well as stings and more.

Common side effects of this medication include drowsiness and dry mouth most commonly. In rare cases it may actually cause vomiting and diarrhea, in which case you should contact your vet to see what medication they suggest.

For most dogs this medication is perfect for relieving symptoms of flea allergies (itching, scratching, hotspots), contact allergens (hair loss, hotspots) and airborne allergens (sneezing, coughing) and should work within an hour of taking the medication.

Most of the time the hardest part for pet parents is getting their dog to take the pill. Hiding it in a piece of food, covering it in peanut butter or putting it in a pill pocket are all great ways to trick your dog into taking their medicine!

Overall, this medication is the oldest antihistamine on the market and it can relieve even the worst allergy symptoms in most dogs. It is highly recommended by vets and it has glowing reviews from many pet parents all over the world.

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