naturalpet Gentle Ways to Calm Allergies


NATURAL REMEDIES FOR ITCHY PETS


by Sandra Murphy R just be


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ather than routinely giving drugs to dogs and cats to relieve dry, itchy, skin or food allergies, con- sider more gentle natural alternatives. As with people, knowing what an animal is allergic to is key to finding the right remedy and preventing future outbreaks. With dogs, about 20 per-


cent of itching and scratching can be attributed to food ingredients. Symptoms can show up as early as 5 months or as late as 12 years old, often combined with inhalant or contact al- lergies. Chronic ear infections are often traced to food allergies.


“If a pet is suffering mightily, see


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your veterinarian for shots or pills for immediate relief. Then ask the vet to allergy test for the specific problem,” advises Veterinarian Laurie Dohmen, owner of Purple Moon Herbs and Studies, in Hartly, Delaware. “This isn’t something you can do yourself. I’ve seen pet owners use what worked for a friend’s dog and make their own pets sicker, despite research and good inten- tions. What works for one pet won’t necessarily work for another.” While food


elimination test- ing works, it’s a long process that must be done with preci- sion. “If your pet


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even just nibbles the eliminated food, you have to start all over again,” says Dohmen. Whether com- mercially prepared or home cooked, the number of ingredients can substantially extend a test period. Each item must


be completely


avoided for about six weeks for an accurate assessment. Environmental allergies, which


encompass everything unrelated to food, range from common grasses to inhaled pollutants. New carpets or rugs, cleaning supplies, a neighbor’s pesti- cides, dust and pollen are among the culprits that can cause an allergic reac- tion. Common symptoms are itchy ears or skin, ear infections, sneezing, runny eyes, scratching, vomiting or diarrhea. Veterinarian Judy Morgan, owner


of Naturally Healthy Pets, in Clayton, New Jersey, also uses herbs in her practice to alleviate food and environ- mental allergy symptoms. “They can be tinctures or poultices; one herb or a blended mixture. Some are applied externally, some internally.” Giving the proper dosage for the size of the pet is vital.


She particularly likes calendula for hot spots, despite its


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