Video Answer: 4 Natural Home Remedies For Dog Allergies
Golden Retrievers are friendly dogs who get along with everyone. They are often trained to become excellent service dogs and search and rescue dogs. They rarely show hostility or aggression toward other dogs or people. They are reliable, trustworthy, active, energetic and always eager to please.
The golden retriever is even-tempered, intelligent and affectionate.
Golden retrievers are playful, yet gentle with children, and they tend to get along well with other pets and strangers.
Golden retrievers are not often barkers, and they lack guard instincts, so do not count on them to make good watchdogs.
Why Do Golden Retrievers Cause Allergies
Are golden retrievers hypoallergenic? No. The golden retriever sheds a fair amount, so its considered a non-hypoallergenic dog. The amount of hair, and therefore the amount of dander, that your golden will spread around your home is relatively significant especially when compared to a dog that is considered hypoallergenic, like a poodle.
Heres more bad news: Like other medium- to large-sized breeds such as the German shepherd and Labrador retriever, the golden retriever has a double coat. That means their coat consists of two layers: a dense undercoat and a longer topcoat. Twice a year in the spring and fall, typically a golden will blow the coat, resulting in more shedding than usual. And that means even more allergens floating around your home.
How Do You Know If An Animal Is A Carrier Or Likely To Become Affected
As yet there are no genetic tests to detect animals that may develop or pass on this disease. In common with other polygenetic disorders with important environmental influences, it may be advisable not to use affected individuals, or individuals with affected close relatives for breeding. However, this advice has not been tested and other considerations such as narrowing the gene pool and concurrent genetic diseases, such as hip dysplasia must also be considered.
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Buyer’s Guide: Choosing The Best Golden Retriever Food
Golden Retriever Health Issues
Unfortunately, Golden Retrievers can have hereditary health issues that owners should be aware of. Here are some of the most prevalent ailments and illnesses that Golden Retrievers might get over time.
Cancer in Dogs
Golden retrievers are more likely than other dog breeds to acquire cancer. As a result, it is critical to select foods made from natural components. It should also be devoid of artificial flavors and additives.
Tumor cells thrive on carbs, therefore it’s critical to provide your Golden Retriever a low-carb diet.
Obesity in Dogs
These canines are also more likely to become overweight or obese. In fact, a 2013 survey found that more than 60% of Golden Retrievers were overweight.
Diet is essential for maintaining your Golden Retriever at a healthy weight. Again, avoid meals heavy in carbohydrates, and check the calories in the dog food to ensure they are within an acceptable range.
Make sure you and your veterinarian are on the same page when it comes to your dog’s weight. Your veterinarian can assist you in determining a nutritious dog food recipe for your dog as well as suggested portion sizes. Veterinarians are excellent resources for assisting your Golden Retriever in eating a balanced diet and avoiding unwanted weight gain.
Food Allergies and Atopy
Atopy and food allergies are common in Golden Retrievers. As a result, if you’ve seen your Golden Retriever scratching and having itchy skin, it might be due to a food allergy.
How Is Atopic Dermatitis Diagnosed In My Dog
Diagnosing environmental allergies in dogs can be performed using two techniques: serologic testing or intradermal skin testing.
- Serologic testing: requires drawing a single blood sample to test a dogs response to environmental allergens. The blood sample is then submitted to a laboratory for analysis.
- Intradermal skin testing: A highly specialized and complex process, intradermal testing is this gold standard for diagnosing environmental allergies It involves injecting a small amount of a pure allergen under the skin and measuring the allergic response.
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Why Does My Golden Retriever Have Dry Skin Causes Symptoms & Treatment
Has your Golden Retriever been shedding excessively? Have you noticed that your Golden Retrievers skin has been dry, and its fur coats have been dull? There are several reasons why your Golden Retrievers skin is dry.
Dry skin is sensitive and irritable. Your Golden Retriever has likely been itchy all over because of their dry skin. To help you understand the cause behind your Golden Retrievers dry skin, I am going to discuss several reasons why your Golden Retrievers skin is dry and how you should go about treating your Golden Retrievers dry skin.
Susceptibility To Skin Allergies
Atopic dermatitis is a heritable condition that some Golden Retrievers develop as an inflammatory reaction to things like tree pollens, grasses, ragweeds, dust, mold and insects such as fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Food intolerances can also cause skin allergies and gastrointestinal disorders in Golden Retrievers.
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Ways To Manage And Treat Some Golden Retriever Skin Allergies
Check the label first when buying dog food
The most important thing to look out for when buying dog foods or dog treats is the label. See to it that theres no animal byproduct, wheat, corn, soy, and other food allergens that can trigger your goldies allergy. The suggested trick to prevent those food allergens is to find a grain-free, whole ingredients, and all-natural dog food. This is to ensure that quality comes first and specifically for dogs that are finicky and experiencing allergies to food. Stay away from those common food allergens and research or consult with your vet about your goldies diet plan.
Also, if you just examining your dogs food allergy, you can try the process of elimination. Find which food triggers an allergic reaction. Although this can be quite difficult. But if you know which is which, then the problem is solved you know have the knowledge on whats appropriate food for your goldie.
Reduce the allergens by cleaning
Cleaning your home regularly and the areas where your goldie always hangs and even its bed space is an excellent option to reduce the risk of having your dog acquire an allergic reaction. Also, invest in buying dehumidifiers which greatly helps to filter out the air. Much better if you keep your houseplant to a distance where your dog cant go near to it.
Have your golden retriever take a dog supplement for a reinforced immune system
A regular bath is just enough
Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Large Breed Puppy Food
Are you considering the best dog food specifically crafted for Golden Retriever puppies with skin allergies? This puppy food features deboned chicken as the first ingredient which is high in protein content to give your pup lean, robust muscles.
As your Golden Retriever pup grows, he needs healthy brain development which is why this dog food contains salmon oil as an ingredient. It also includes antioxidants that support a healthy immune system and balanced nutrients to promote optimal energy. To ensure that your pup maintains healthy skin and coat, the recipe is equipped with omega fatty acids.
Ensure your Golden Retriever puppy grows healthy and happy even with skin allergies by feeding him this formula.
Pros:
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Why My Golden Retriever Has Dry Flaky Skin
Your Golden Retrievers skin could be dry because of allergies, cancer, infections, metabolic diseases, weather, and parasites. Dry skin is a symptom of a more severe health issue.
If you are unsure of the exact cause behind your Golden Retrievers dry skin, you should consult your veterinarian. You could do your Golden Retriever more harm than good if you treat their dry skin on a whim without knowing the exact cause and the correct way to treat it.
Blue Buffalo Basics Dry Dog Food
If you wish to feed your Golden Retriever with a beef and chicken alternative source of protein, Blue Buffalo got you covered. Their grain-free turkey & potato recipe contains real turkey as the first ingredient to support lean, strong muscle build, and health.
Other ingredients include peas, potatoes, and pumpkin that support gentle digestion in your Golden Retriever with a sensitive stomach. To help meet the required energy and support a healthy lifestyle, the formula contains carbs and is boosted with vitamins & minerals for immune health.
This limited ingredient dog food diet contains the finest natural elements with no soy, corn, artificial additives, or wheat.
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Symptoms Of Hot Spot On Golden Retriever
Your Golden Retrievers behavior might be the first hint he has a hot spot. Obsessive, licking, scratching, or biting is a telltale sign that something is wrong with your dog, however, many skin conditions have similar symptoms, so it is important to visit your vet if you have any concerns.
Any dog regardless of age or breed can get a hot spot, but shepherds, rottweilers, Labradors, and long-haired breeds such as Saint Bernard and Golden Retrievers tend to be more susceptible than other breeds, hot spots are also more common in warm weather, case numbers rise more in the summer months.
Here are some indicators of a hot spot that may help you avoid a hot spot on Golden Retriever
- Swelling of skin area
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The Connection Between Food And Skin Allergies
If you see your Golden frequently or excessively biting, scratching, rubbing or itching, a food allergy may be the cause. Self-trauma and chronic allergies can lead to yeast or bacterial infections that may take the form of lesions, seborrhea and crusting.
In many cases, the cause of food allergies in dogs is an animal protein such as chicken or beef, although some dogs also develop allergies to other sources like corn, eggs and milk. Your Golden Retrievers reactions to a food allergy may manifest itself in areas aside from the skin often, dogs with food allergies will also experience gastrointestinal distress.
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Cause #: Underlying Infections
Although invasive bacteria and an overgrowth of fungi cause bacterial and fungal infections within any dogs system, both bacterial and fungal infections are common in Golden Retrievers.
Dogs can contract infections via contact with other animals, exposure within the environment, or simply an overgrowth of fungi that is already naturally present due to a weakened immune system.
Underlying infections may sound scary, but the good news is that theyre almost always treatable with antibiotics. Your vet will prescribe a topical or oral medication to help your dogs antibodies fight off the infection so theyll be good as new in no time.
How To Prevent Golden Retriever Skin Allergies
Golden retriever skin allergies can be a frustrating problem for pet owners. But you can prevent them by using the right approach. That starts with understanding how they develop and what triggers them. Most golden allergy cases involve the dog having an excessive amount of fat. When the fat is around the skin, it irritates the dog and makes it more likely for it to break out in a rash. But you can do more than just not feed the dog large amounts of fats. Its also important to wash the dogs face every day and to properly clean the ears and the under-skin area. This will keep the area clean. And if you find you cant clean it properly, try to bathe your dog in a tub, instead of washing it in the sink. This will help to wash away any particles of dirt. If your dog does have an allergy, use a mild, pH balanced dog shampoo that is not too drying.
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Natural Balance Lid Dry Dog Food
If your Golden Retriever is allergic to chicken and prefer giving him an alternative source of protein, this limited ingredients dog food from Natural Balance is a fantastic choice. This lamb meal & brown rice formula helps reduce the number of ingredients pooches are subjected to.
The formula has a lamb meal as the first ingredient, a macronutrient that supports muscle build and maintenance and adds palate to the food. While being ideal for Golden Retrievers with skin allergies, it also contains the right amount of fat that supports skin and coat health. Brown rice is also very digestible which is excellent for pooches with allergies.
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What Is Atopic Dermatitis In Dogs
This skin allergy often called allergic dermatitis or atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition associated with environmental factors and is typically acquired through inhalation of certain types of allergens. In human terms, its a form of hay fever.
Atopic Dermatitis is hereditary and generally afflicts purebred dogs, more so than mixed breeds.
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Summary Of Atopic Dermatitis In Dogs
Atopic dermatitis is a common skin allergy in dogs, resulting in scratching, licking and recurrent skin infections. A lifelong condition, its important to identify the allergens causing dermatitis, to eliminate or reduce exposure to them. While not curable, the symptoms are manageable with medical treatment and sometimes require adjustments to diet, lifestyle and hygiene practices.
Treatment For Atopic Dermatitis In Dogs
One of the first steps is eliminating or reducing exposure to the environmental allergens causing the skin allergy. If you cant identify the specific irritant, use a process of elimination by removing the environmental factors that have the potential to trigger an outbreak.
However, with environmental allergies it may not be possible to avoid the allergen entirely. If your dog suffers from indoor or outdoor allergies, our veterinarians can prescribe an allergy relief medication to help relieve symptoms.
1. Allergen Control
One of the most common causes of Atopic Dermatitis are environmental allergens from dust mites and pollens. Dust mites in the home are the most common allergens in dogs. Fleas, grasses and mold are also sources, but tend to play lesser roles.
5 pet-friendly tactics you can use to reduce exposure to allergens in your home:
2. Medications
The downside?
3. Allergen Immunotherapy
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Treating Skin Allergies With Antihistamines
Common Allergy Signs & Symptoms In Golden Retrievers
- Dry, itchy skin
- Excessive scratching, biting or licking on skin
- Watery eyes
- Breathing issues
Fortunately, there are ways to help boost your dogs immune system and decrease the effects of allergies. Omega fatty acids are a major benefit in the fight against allergies and degenerative disorders that can cause inflammation and arthritis. Some research has shown that Omegas can even prevent allergies from developing in puppies. While every dog is different, there is no argument that your pup could benefit from Omega fatty acids. But heres the catchdogs cant produce Omegas on their own, so they must get them somewhere else.
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Remedies For Skin Allergies In Golden Retrievers
While many suggestions have been given concerning cures for skin allergies in dogs, there are those with the upper hand. However, paying special attention to your Golden Retrievers diet is the first remedy for his allergic condition.
As we mentioned above, food is the major problem and triggers of allergic reactions in dogs. So, that tells you that food is the first remedy for this. As such, trace the ingredient that is allergic to your Golden Retrievers skin.
You should also consider making your dogs environment habitable.
In addition, you can try some home remedies to help alleviate the allergies using the supplies from the cupboard. If you do not have them, you can simply pick them at the local pet store.
- To help soothe irritation, mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with water in a bottle, shake it well, and spray your dogs skin.
- To help heal and support healthy skin growth, apply fresh aloe vera gel on his skin, and make sure you rub it in properly.
- Add a few cups of oatmeal to the dogs bath and rub it well into the skin. Soak your dog in this water for at least 20 minutes and then rinse him properly.
With the correct diet and these home remedies, you can be sure your Golden Retriever is taken care of. However, ensure that your dog visits his vet for better recommendations.