Dog allergy medication is generally prescribed to pets that suffer from food allergies, inhalant allergies and contact allergies. These medications bring relief from the symptoms that are manifested due to an allergic reaction. In order to completely get rid of the allergy you will have to first find out the type of allergen that’s affecting your pet and take efforts to prevent your dog from coming in contact with the known allergen in the future.
Giving your Pet Allergy Medication for Humans
Most commercially available allergy medications contain histamine blocking agents that reduce the amount of histamine that’s produced by the body. Since dogs are very sensitive to different types of medications its best to administer drugs that are specifically formulated for use in pets.
The ingredients that are present in dog allergy medications are similar to those that are present in allergy medicines for humans. Several pet owners therefore administer certain human medications like Tavist, Benadryl and Claritin to their pets in order to get rid of the symptoms.
Is it Safe to Administer Human Allergy Medicines to your Dog?
Instead of simply administering an over the counter medicine or human allergy medication to your dog the moment he suffers from an allergic reaction, you should conduct a vet check to identify the type of allergen that causes the reaction. Some allergic reactions are also related to other medical conditions. You must therefore rule out other medical illnesses before you give your pet any allergy medication.
The same antihistamine medication can have a different effect on your pet. It’s thus best to administer the right drug in the right amount to avoid side effects. If you want to administer any allergy medications for humans to your dog, you must only give them to your dog after discussing the same with the vet. The vet will be able to guide you about the dosage and the frequency of administration.
Other Treatment Options
If your dog has a severe allergic reaction you may have to give him steroid drugs that are prescribed by the vet. Since these steroids are not good for use in the long run it’s important to use other treatment options to prevent your dog from suffering from recurring allergic reactions. Apart from steroids the vet will also recommend the use of topical medicines and antibiotics to cure skin inflammation, redness and soreness.
Instead of only relying on medications to treat your pet you must try to keep him away from known allergens. Dust, mold, dander, cigarette smoke and household chemicals are common irritants. If your pet is allergic to any of these substances you will have to regularly clean your house with hypoallergenic detergents and chemicals.
Tips for Pet Owners:
- Don’t give your dog any allergic medications for humans if the vet has specifically asked you not to do so.
- Use hypoallergenic dog grooming products.
- Don’t take your pet outdoors if the pollen forecast is high.
- Clean your home frequently to get rid of dust mites.
- Take preventive measures to prevent flea infections in your home.
If your dog suffers from frequent allergic reactions you may have to administer desensitization shots to your pet. It’s best to discuss the pros and cons of desensitizing your pet with the vet, to safeguard your dog’s health and life.