Can homemade treats help my dog's allergies and stop scratching?

Question

My dog has severe scratching right now and our vet advised it could be flea allergies. I also have a suspicion of food allergies so I will be transitioning him to wheat/corn/soy free dog food the next couple of weeks. I want to make treats that have plain yogurt (alive bacteria), diatomaceous earth, coconut oil, local honey, and maybe apple cider vinegar and fish oil. I saw all those help with allergies and perasites, which he has issues with. Could this combo be dangerous or not help him? Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Male | neutered | 4 years and 1 month old | 72 lbs

Kevin Sanada, DVM · Accepted Answer

Food allergies are due to certain proteins and they are usually animal proteins (beef, pork, dairy, etc.). Allergies or adversities to wheat/corn/soy are very rare and not worth eliminating unless you know for sure that he is allergic to them. To find the actual protein Jake is allergic to, you have to do an elimination trial. If there was not an elimination trial done, then you would be only guessing at the source of the allergies. One way I often bypass the elimination trial is by recommending a hydrolysed protein diet such as Hill's i/d. In these diets, the proteins are broken down, so there is minimal chance of them causing an allergy. This would have to be prescribed by a veterinarian though. It's actually best to consult with your vet before pursuing a diet change, because they can help to ensure the right diagnosis is made and that you are not doing anything that may be potentially harmful for Jake. The proposed ingredients for your treats are not known (do not have sufficient scientific evidence) to be helpful for allergies, but are not toxic, so you can feed them. I would just account for the calories and feed less of his normal food. Below are a couple of links to articles that may be helpful for you and Jake. I hope that helps and Jake gets better soon. https://www.petcoach.co/article/4-great-strategies-for-relieving-your-dog-s-allergies/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/skin-allergies-vs-food-allergies/

Can homemade treats help my dog's allergies and stop scratching?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Questions

What fish dog food helps dry skin if my dog eats Science Diet?

Can chickens eat bell peppers daily and what about veggie salads?

Is Purina Layer Pellets good for chickens? What other feeds exist?

My mice eat all their food together from one bowl. Is this normal?

My pet keeps scratching its ear. What's causing this problem?

My degu lost teeth after an accident. How can I feed him soft foods?

Share