As a dog owner, watching your pet scratching its body incessantly to deal with a persistent itch is quite heartbreaking. But do you know the underlying condition behind the discomfort your dog is experiencing? An allergy is one of the most probable causes of the distress that your pet is battling.
You have probably already heard about the helpfulness of CBD oil, and now you wonder how it can come in handy in such a situation. In this post, you will learn the most important information on this treatment. But before we delve deeper into CBD oil for dog’s allergy, let’s first understand what this condition is, its causes, types, and typical symptoms.
What are Allergies?
Allergies refer to the reactions a living creature has after being exposed to a particular substance or environment. Dogs, like humans, have allergies to different things, and symptoms of the same can be noted with keen observation.
Most of the time, you can tell that your dog has an allergy when it itches. As a reaction to this, the pet will tend to chew, lick, or scratch specific parts of its body excessively, often causing breaks to the skin.
Some of the common body parts where allergies may occur are:
- Face
- Feet
- Ears
- Belly
- Ankles
- Underarms
- Groin
- Muzzle
What Causes Skin Allergies in Dogs?
Skin allergies in dogs are the result of an overactive immune system. Typically, the immune system serves to protect a dog from diseases and other ailments by combating all forms of harmful substances within the body. Nonetheless, some domestic companions have an overactive immune system that goes on to attack non-harmful agents due to mistaking them for hazardous elements. These harmless agents are called allergens.
Types of Skin Allergies
Dogs may experience these two types of allergies:
- Contact dermatitis
These are hypertensive reactions that pets experience after their skins come into contact with some chemicals, fleas, pollen, topical medicines, and so forth. Case in point, some dogs are allergic to flea bites and flea saliva. Consequently, after coming into skin contact with these allergens, the dog will have flea dermatitis.
- Food allergy
If your dog is highly sensitive to specific foods, then it is bound to have itchy skin, especially in the paw or ear regions. Moreover, a food sensitivity can lead to severe foot or ear ailments, inflammation on the face, hives, or heath degradation.
Food allergies have also been shown to result in stomach related issues. As such, by checking on the dog’s diarrhea or vomiting, you can suspect that your pet has a food allergy.
Symptoms of Skin Allergies in Dogs
You can tell that your pet has an allergic reaction by looking out for these symptoms:
- Reddish inflamed skin
- Itchy back or lower tail
- Hives
- Severely infected ear
- Sneezing
- Red runny eyes
- Hair loss
- Bald patches
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Coughing
- Snores
- Wheezing
- Rash on the body
CBD Oil: A Natural Solution for Dog Allergies
CBD oil has become an increasingly popular natural remedy and supplement for curing dogs’ allergies. Moreover, research studies have already highlighted the benefits of this treatment. Let’s look at what CBD oil for dogs is, how it can help to relieve allergies, is it safe to use on dogs, and so on.
The Science behind CBD Oil
Every mammal, including humans, produces endocannabinoids, whose job is to maintain the body’s homeostasis. Endocannabinoids are produced naturally in the body, and endocannabinoid system receptors can be found in the brain, nerves, immune cells, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, heart, liver, pancreas, bones, etc.
They help to regulate natural processes such as metabolism, reproduction, pain, appetite, memory, and sleep. Cannabidiol, also known as CBD oil, is a natural product extracted from hemp, a plant that also contains endocannabinoids. Thus, this oil can reduce allergic symptoms by supplementing the natural cannabinoids in the dog’s body.
How CBD Oil Helps with Dog Allergies
Although effective, traditional treatments for dog allergies, including topical and oral corticosteroids, antihistamines, and antibiotics, come with significant and worrying side effects if used for extended times. For instance, corticosteroids can cause skin thinning, increase in weight, hypertension, and behavioral changes in the long term.
For these reasons, many dog owners and vets are turning their attention to natural remedies for allergies. One such solution is CBD oil. It has the following benefits that can help with allergies:
- Anti-inflammation and pain relief
Inflammation occurs in response to harm inflicted on the body and is a common symptom in allergies. Chronic or prolonged inflammation can lead to pain and even anxiety. CBD oil for dog allergies is a natural patent plant-based remedy that works by decreasing oxidation stress, inflammation, and pain.
- Cell growth
CBD oil has also been shown to boost healthy skin cell growth. CBD can control skin cell proliferation and differentiation, and therefore, treat a variety of skin allergies and diseases.
- Improving gut health
Cannabidiol can also help in promoting gut health in your pet. As you may know, itchy skin may be a result of food sensitivities. Allergy to a particular ingredient is difficult to diagnose. However, you can use CBD oil to relieve skin reactions related to sensitive skin or poor gut health.
Administering CBD Oil to Your Dog
CBD oil dosage depends on your dog’s size. The smaller your dog is, the lower the dosage you’ll need to administer. The dose can range from 0.5-5 mg a day for a 10-pound dog. It can go up to 30 mg for larger dogs. CBD is available in the form of an oil, capsule, treat, or topical.
Is CBD Oil Safe for Dogs?
CBD oil is completely safe to use on your dog and does not have psychoactive characteristics. Several studies on ailing and healthy have supported this fact. For example, a study by Frontiers in Veterinary Science, where dogs received two different doses of CBD oil over four weeks, found no observable side effects. The only real downside associated with CBD oil treatment is drowsiness. However, you can ensure the safety of your pet by administering the right dosage.
Final Thoughts
CBD oil is not only effective in combating allergies in dogs but is also safe for pets. It can promote the overall health of your dog with minimal-if any side effects. To buy a high-quality CBD supplement for allergy control, go to DogDreamCBD, and find the right product.