Seasonal allergies: holistic approach to keeping pets comfortable

Photo by Gabriel N. Wardwell

Dropping temperatures, back to school activities and fewer daylight hours mean it is time to welcome autumn. This change of season in the Catskill region brings two things to mind: jaw dropping foliage decorating the mountains and a flare up of seasonal allergy symptoms for some pets. A holistic approach to keeping cats and dogs comfortable during allergy season involves overall immune support, good nutrition and appropriate supplementation.

Integrative veterinary practitioners treat the whole patient, not just a disease. While it may be tempting to want a quick fix for your pet’s itching and other symptoms, you are more likely to see lasting results from a more comprehensive approach. Start by looking at what you can do for overall immune support:
• Limit stress, especially during the back to school transition. There is already a lot of change, both environmentally and domestically. Try to feed, exercise and change litter on a predictable, consistent schedule.
• Talk to your local integrative veterinarian about supplements to help modulate the immune response involved in allergy symptoms. Antihistamines and steroids may work temporarily to mask symptoms, but do not address the underlying imbalance present in your pet. Symptoms are a signal that we need to investigate how to help our pets restore wellness. Most integrative veterinarians feel that suppressing symptoms just drives them deeper and causes more severe illness.
• Reduce indoor allergens with an air purifier and regular dusting and vacuuming. To help reduce the presence of outdoor allergens in the home, gently wipe paws when coming in from outside. Removing shoes, when coming indoors, also helps prevent human family members from tracking in irritants.
• Learn more about a holistic approach to pet care at the Integrative Health Pet Expo next week.
• Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition. Diet may be contributing to allergy symptoms. Some unfortunate pets have food hypersensitivities in addition to sensitivity to inhaled allergens. Selecting a high quality commercial pet food or possibly an appropriate homemade or raw diet (under veterinary supervision) is an important part of promoting a healthy immune system.
• Talk to your vet about fatty acid supplementation and how to administer the appropriate balance of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids.
• Do not overwhelm your pet’s struggling immune system. An itchy, uncomfortable pet is not a good candidate for vaccine boosters. Titering antibody levels can help determine if boosters are indicated. If so, control the allergy issues first and only vaccinate healthy pets.

Seasonal allergies can mimic other disorders such as fleas or other parasites, metabolic disease and infection. While there are many preventative and supportive steps you can take at home, do not forget to consult your veterinarian regarding diagnosis and treatment.