Allergies
Natural Remedies

Allergies - Editor's Choice

| Modified on Jun 12, 2025
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Dog Allergy Remedies

Is your pet constantly scratching, sneezing, or licking their paws? Just like humans, dogs and cats can develop allergies to foods, environmental factors, and even grooming products. Fortunately, there are safe and natural remedies that can help relieve allergy symptoms in pets without relying solely on medication.

1. Switch to a Hypoallergenic, Whole Food Diet

Food is often the root cause of pet allergies. Many commercial pet foods contain allergens such as wheat, soy, corn, and artificial additives. Making a dietary change can dramatically reduce allergic reactions.

  • Eliminate common allergens: Remove grains, artificial colors, and preservatives.
  • Try novel proteins: Duck, venison, or rabbit may reduce symptoms compared to chicken or beef.
  • Add anti-inflammatory foods: Fresh fish (or fish oil), sweet potatoes, and leafy greens can help soothe the immune response.
  • Consider home-cooked or raw diets: Under veterinary guidance, these can improve nutrient absorption and decrease allergy flares.

2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Inflammation

Omega-3s from fish oil or flaxseed oil are powerful anti-inflammatories that help calm itchy skin and reduce redness caused by allergies.

  • Supports skin barrier function and reduces dander and flaking.
  • Use purified fish oil specifically formulated for pets to avoid toxins.
  • Dosage: Follow your vet’s guidelines or product instructions, typically 100–200 mg per 10 lbs of body weight.

3. Probiotics to Balance Gut Health

Allergies often start in the gut. A high-quality probiotic supplement can help regulate your pet's immune system and reduce sensitivity to allergens.

  • Look for species-specific strains such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis.
  • Natural sources: Plain kefir or goat's milk can also provide probiotics safely.

4. Coconut Oil for Skin Relief

Coconut oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that soothe skin irritations caused by allergies.

  • Topical use: Gently massage onto dry, itchy, or red patches.
  • Internal use: Add a small amount to food (¼ tsp per 10 lbs of weight).
  • Bonus: Helps repel fleas, which are a common trigger for allergic reactions.

5. Herbal Remedies and Baths

Herbs and natural rinses can calm the skin and reduce histamine activity.

  • Chamomile or green tea rinses: Cool tea bags applied to irritated skin reduce inflammation.
  • Oatmeal baths: A natural way to relieve itching and dryness.
  • Licorice root (short term only): Works like natural cortisone for severe flare-ups, but consult a vet before use.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar Spray

Diluted apple cider vinegar can help fight yeast and bacteria on the skin, which often worsen allergy symptoms.

  • Recipe: Mix 1 part ACV with 1 part filtered water in a spray bottle.
  • Use: Spray lightly onto itchy or inflamed areas (avoid open sores).

7. Environmental Detox

Reduce chemical exposure around your home that could trigger your pet’s allergies.

  • Switch to natural cleaning products free of artificial fragrances and bleach.
  • Use air purifiers to remove pollen, dander, and dust mites.
  • Wash bedding regularly using hypoallergenic detergent.

When to See a Vet

While natural remedies can greatly reduce symptoms, persistent or severe allergies should be evaluated by a veterinarian. In some cases, prescription antihistamines, allergy testing, or immunotherapy may be required.

Important: Always introduce new foods, supplements, or treatments gradually and monitor your pet’s response. When in doubt, consult a holistic or integrative vet for guidance.

Final Thoughts

Natural remedies for pet allergies can be a powerful, gentle way to help your pet find relief. By starting with a healthier diet and adding targeted supplements and holistic support, you can reduce symptoms and support your pet’s immune system naturally.

Have you tried any of the remedies mentioned above? Let us know your results and share your story to help other pet owners find relief for their furry friends!


The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Geri A. (Alberta, Canada) on 08/27/2017
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

As soon as I see my scottie chewing and licking her paws excessively I know she's having an allergic reaction.

I use 3 tbsp. ACV mixed into 1 tbsp. water and wipe down the feet of my scottie when she has an allergy flare up. Twice a day for 3 days and she is over her problem. Then I root out which of my grandchildren is sneaking her a treat that she is reacting to. Also, when she is scratching or biting at herself, which is very seldom, I add half a cup of ACV in her rinse water after her bath. Stinky but effective.


Turmeric

Posted by Melissa (California) on 08/24/2017
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Grate fresh turmeric root on your pet's food to treat allergies. Protects the liver and reduces inflammation. I heard fresh pepper makes it more assumable but I am not giving it to my dog without a few vets weighing in on it. I'm a 10 yr veterinary technician with a blue pit bull myself who has terrible allergies. It comes down to a toxin in their environment working its way out of them and a faulty immune response. Find the culprit and remove it or antigen therapy may be needed. Building up tolerance and immunity to the allergen. Do not use essential oils with them. Doesn't work the same. I grate half a root for my 110lb dog.


Turmeric
Posted by Jeff (Missouri) on 02/14/2017
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Natural dog skin allergy cures

Why r u not recommending turmeric in the dog's food and in pill form for eye and skin rashes. I found it to work in just a few days.

My dog had a very bad rash all over his body plus runny ichy eyes..I started putting turmeric in his food and within three days eyes started clearing up and his skin returned 98% clear..I'm still trying other herbs to clear up the rest....THIS was after spending almost $2000.00 at a vet.


Theresa's Skin Cleanse

Posted by Theresa (Mpls., Mn) on 07/23/2016
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

T's Skin Cleanse -

This recipe was created after reading through EC's pages paying particular attention to Ted's advice for skin issues in dogs. The basic recipe consists of hydrogen peroxide, borax, Epsom salt, and Milk of Magnesia.

Take one 16oz bottle of 3% drugstore hydrogen peroxide and dilute it with 32 oz of water to get a 1% solution of hydrogen peroxide.

To this add 1 cup each of the borax, Epsom salt and Milk of Magnesia.

I will make up a vat of this at one time, filling a medium sized plastic storage tub with the solution, using up an entire box of borax, entire bag of the Epsom salt, 2-3 bottles of Milk of Magnesia and half a dozen bottles of hydrogen peroxide; when filling a bin/vat/tub I tend to add more water to bring the level up in the tub I am using. It helps to use HOT water to mix up the borax to get it to dissolve.

When the ingredients are all mixed and I have a nice, toasty dip for my pack, I wash each dog first, squeegy off excess water with my hands and then into the tub full of skin cleanse dip they go. I keep them there for at least 10 minutes and pour the solution over them constantly.

I use the solution in any skin folds, the male's prepuce, tight areas around the tail, and also inside the ears to flush out debris and cleanse the inside of the ears. After time is up I take them out of the tub and let them run around the bathroom wet while I dip the next dog. When you make up a big tub, it helps to do multiple dogs to get your money's worth.

If the solution gets cold, I pour some into a pot and put it on the stove and reheat it, and then mix it back into the big vat and on to the next dog. Having the dog standing in the solution, or for smaller dogs to be up to their chin in the solution, helps treat the entire skin and having them stand in the wet working solution for at least 10 minutes allows the active ingredients to really penetrate the dermis for a good deep cleaning. The solution has about a 24 hour 'working' life, and after that time I pour it down the drain.

I have found this skin cleanse dip to nip an allergy break out on the skin in the bud, and also relieve itching to boot. Because of the hydrogen peroxide this may not be the ideal solution for black show dogs, as it will bleach their black coat into a dull red.


Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Deb (Harrisburg, Pa) on 08/19/2009
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

ACV is wonderful! My Shih Tzu was suffering with his allgeries this year. He lost all the hair off his ears. It must be the new area I am living in. A new hot spot was breaking out everyday. Well, I gave him a bath, then used 1 cup of ACV to a gallon of water.

He slept peacefully that night. Since then I have applied a half and half mixture of water and ACV using a spray bottle on his hot spots and around his ears. The areas of his skin are almost healed. I could not beleive how fast it took after the bath.

I tried using the spray mixture a day or two befor the bath, that did not have the same affect. Be sure to bath the dog first using the ACV mix last then rinse it off.

I am still spraying him every day. He doesn't really like it especially. But all the redness has left.

I am recommending this site to all my friends!

I also tried another remedy that worked for dog coughs, 1 tbl honey, 3 drops of peroxide and 1 cup of water. the cough vanished.