Written by If you have a pet, you know how difficult it is to see them struggle with any health problem. One of the most common conditions that your dogs might suffer from is skin allergies. Such skin conditions can give rise to symptoms like a persistent itch which can irritate your pet.
Just like us, our dogs also get allergic reactions to many sources such as pollen grains, bugs etc but they are far less equipped to deal with these skin issues. So if you find your pup constantly scratching his fur or any part of his body, consider taking him to vet to see if he has skin allergy.
Usually, when you take your pet to a vet, he gives prescription medications. But these medications are not organic and come with loads of side effects for your pets. Fortunately, we have organic supplements like CBD oil to treat allergies in your pet. Yes, you read that right. Apart from benefiting us humans, CBD can also be effective for our little pets.
Let us quickly examine skin allergies, how they affect our pets, and how can you use CBD to relieve its symptoms.
What Are Skin Allergies In Pets?
According to Wikipedia,
“Skin disorders are among the most common health problems in dogs and have many causes. The condition of a dog’s skin and coat are also an important indicator of its general health. Skin disorders of dogs vary from acute, self-limiting problems to chronic or long-lasting problems requiring lifetime treatment. Skin disorders may be primary or secondary (due to scratching, itch) in nature, making diagnosis complicated. ”
Atopy or skin allergy usually begins between 6 months and 3 years of age. This condition tends to affect a few breeds of dogs more than others. For example Golden Retriever and German Shepherds.
The most common symptom that your pet will have is itching. This itchiness is especially around their eyes, muzzle, feet, and ears. If it’s a seasonal allergy, the signs of allergy will be seasonal.
Some areas which are attacked by such allergies include:
- Ears
- Face
- Feet
- Belly
- Ankles
- Muzzle
- Privates
- Underarms
What Are The Causes Of Skin Allergies In Dogs?
Allergies can be hereditary and chronic skin conditions. Skin allergies in dogs are caused by the same immune reaction that is found in humans. The immune system of our dog protects him from various infections and diseases by fighting the harmful agents causing them.
But few dogs may also have an overactive immune system. When their immune system overreacts to a perceived threat that would usually be harmless to their body, it results in skin allergies.
There can be many allergens that can cause such allergies. These include:
- Fleas
- Dust Mites
- Grass pollens and molds
- Food items like:
- Beef
- Chicken
- Soy
- Fish
Atopic Dermatitis- A Chronic Skin Allergy
Sometimes our pets may develop acute symptoms or an allergic reaction to a specific allergen. However, sometimes they also suffer from chronic skin conditions that can harm them for the rest of their lives.
One such skin chronic skin disease that can cause difficulties for our pets is atopic dermatitis which is an inflammatory disease connected with skin sensitivities. This allergy can be caused by normally harmless substances such as mold spores, grass, dust mites and many environmental allergens.
Dogs normally show signs of the disease from 3 months to the age of 6 year, though atopic dermatitis can be so mild the first year that it does not become clinically apparent before the third year.
Some common causes of atopic dermatitis are:
- Airborne Pollens
- Mold Spores
- Animal Dander
- House Dust Mite
Treating Skin Allergies In Dogs
Usually, a vet will prescribe allergy medications, allergy vaccines, and topical solutions to treat skin allergies in pets.
- Allergy medications include corticosteroids, antihistamines, and cyclosporine.
- Vaccination can help reduce the symptoms of allergy over time.
- Allergy Topicals like specialized shampoos, creams, rinses, and sprays can help in reducing the symptoms of skin allergies.
- Corticosteroids can prove to be effective in treating skin allergies.
Using CBD For Pet Allergies
Cannabidiol or CBD can prove to be highly effective when it comes to treating allergic reactions in dogs. CBD is derived from the cannabis-based hemp plant and it is used by people to help them with pain, anxiety, and many other hard-to-treat health conditions.
It is an all-natural remedy with almost no side effects and will also not make one high.
Just like CBD helps us, humans, it also helps our pets in treating their health issues. Let us find out how CBD works on our pets.
Endocannabinoid System And CBD
Just like us, our pets also have an Endocannabinoid System that helps in regulating various body functions such as pain, appetite, skin, immunity, and mood.
The ECS has two receptors namely CB1 and CB2 and these receptors are present all over the body and brain. In a research paper published in 2009, the relationship between ECS and skin health was studied. It was found that the activation of CB1 and CB2 receptors leads to particular reactions in a number of skin cells.
Studies also suggest that our ECS can help in maintaining homeostasis by regulating skin cells.
In a study done in 2005, researchers investigated the effects of CBD-rich hemp seed oil on atopic dermatitis.
The study concluded that CBD-rich hemp seed oil relieves the symptoms of atopic dermatitis in patients. They further proposed that this could be due to a high quantity of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in CBD oil.
CBD Oil has also been shown to encourage healthy skin growth in research done in 2013.
Moreover, the anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and anti-bacterial properties of this cannabinoid make it a potent and effective remedy in treating skin allergies in our pets.
Using CBD Oil For Pets
There is a whole range of CBD products for pets that are available in the market. We will suggest you start with Full Spectrum CBD For Pets by ThoughtCloud.
This is a highly effective CBD oil and helps relieve symptoms of skin allergies as well as assist with adjusting homeostasis levels back to normal.
We would suggest you to start with the low dosages at first and consult your pet’s vet beforehand. For more guidelines on dosage, you can check CBD Dosage Guideline For Dogs.
We hope you liked this article on CBD for pet allergies. If you have any suggestions or questions for us, do let us know in the comment section below.
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