Your dog doesn't stop gnawing and scratching himself. There is a problem. Take a closer look if your dog is exhibiting these tendencies. The skin may appear irritated and inflamed, but may be dog hives. To determine what is causing this discomfort in your dog, take him to the doctor as soon as possible. It's possible that your dog has hives, an indication of allergic responses. What options are there on how to get rid of dog hives, if the vet suggests medication to treat the problem?
Your dog may have hives from an allergic reaction, which causes redness and irritation of the skin. If this is the case, do not hesitate to take your dog to the vet, but if you’re looking for a natural remedy for dog’s itchy skin then you’ll want to read what’s available to you below for natural ways to get rid of dog hives with home remedies.
CBD tincture for dogs is a great and safe alternative to conventional medicine, which can have many negative side effects.
What Does Dog Hives Mean?
Hives are red, swollen, and typically irritating skin welts or rashes. Any area of the body, including the dog's face, neck, lips, and ears, might develop the red skin welts. The majority of these responses are limited and frequently go away by themselves.
Due to their rich covering of hair, dogs' hives are more difficult to spot than those on human skin. On parts of the dog's body with less hair, the rashes could be visible, but otherwise, all you might see are a few tiny raised hair tufts that point to the existence of raised welts. Your pet's skin welts can itch or not affect them at all.
IS CBD oil helpful with dog allergies?
CBD oil for dogs has anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve atopic dermatitis. CBD is a supplement that can help relieve inflammation on the skin and promote healing through healthy sleep patterns and calmness. Unlike shampoos or medications, these benefits are delivered without harsh chemicals or potential side-effects.
CBD is mainly useful in strengthening the immune system and easing your dog from pain and discomfort. It may also stop the immune system from producing allergic effects.
Dog Hives
Another, more technical term for hives is Urticaria, a skin condition that is described by having red welts. The individual welts can vary in size, but they’re typically blended together and can appear anywhere on the body.
Cause of Dog Hives
Hives can be caused by direct contact with a substance that causes an allergic reaction, ranging from things such as insect bites, pollens, molds, foods, vaccinations, and medications. It is the immune response to specific allergens, which produces antibodies causing the inflammation of the skin.
Pay attention to what your dog has been around to understand where the dog’s hives came from. It’s important to know what is triggering this reaction in order to limit its exposure.
When histamine is released locally in the skin, hives form. The blood vessels there may swell as a result of this. Small reddish lumps and welts known as hives ultimately develop from the localized inflammation. Larger skin welts and lumps can occur when smaller hives combine. There are several recognized causes of dog hives. Your pet's hypersensitivity to any allergen might result in hives. Among the most typical are:
- Bee or wasp sting and other types of insect stings
- Spider bites
- Food allergies
- Vaccines
- Environmental allergens - pollen, molds, dust, etc.
- A chemical reaction to insecticides
- Shampoos
- Medications
- Supplements
- Plants - such as Poison Ivy or Stinging Nettle
- Genetic abnormalities
Are Hives Dangerous To Dogs?
If the hives are caused by a bee or insect sting, then your dog will have swelling around the face and lips, but it’s possible that the swelling may progress to the throat, compromising breathing. When breathing is compromised it is known as “Anaphylaxis in Dogs”. However, in most cases, hives are self-limiting and cause no dangerous health threat to your dog.
How to Get Rid of Dog Hives?
In most cases, conventional medicine will be prescribed by your vet. The medicine for hives that you’ll find is Antihistamines, Corticosteroids, and Epinephrine. Epinephrine is typically prescribed in very severe cases. Although the medication will be helpful, they come attached with a terrible potential for side effects.
Conventional Medicine Side Effects
Here is a list of side effects for the most popular treatment for dog hives.
Antihistamines
- Drowsiness
- Lethargy
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Anxious or Nervous
Corticosteroids
- Frequent urination
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Higher risk of infection getting worse
- Nausea/vomiting
- Urinary tract infection
- Muscle weakness
- Predisposition for diabetes
Epinephrine
- High blood pressure
- Anxiety
- Possibly cause tremors
- Can cause Excitability
- Vomiting
- Abnormal rhythms of the heart
The list may go on, but all in all the potential side-effects do exist and one should consider these before committing to conventional medicine. If you decide that the above treatments are not for you, then you can look into some natural home remedies for dog hives.
How to Get Rid of Dog Hives at Home
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Dog Hives
Oats have many health attributes, which can help alleviate the itching when applied to the skin. Oats can have a soothing effect and can give your dog with hives some relief. You can use oat paste and apply it to your dogs infected area.
Teas
Teas are known to have a calming effect when applied to skin. They are best when used to give relief for itchy and irritated skin. We’ve learned that both chamomile or green tea baths will help your dog’s irritated skin and will sooth the itch.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Water Spray 50/50 Solution
You can spray an infected area of your dog’s skin with a solution made by an equal mixture of apple cider vinegar and water. It is effective for skin irritation, because it has antiseptic and anti-fungal properties. However, if your dog has exposed skin, or broken skin do not apply this mixture to that area.
Coconut Oil
Another natural remedy that has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, which helps treat irritated skin. You’ll need to directly massage the coconut oil on your dog’s hives to reduce the irritation.
Using CBD Oil to Treat Dog Hives
The above natural remedies will help to treat usual symptoms of dog hives. However, one of the most effective natural remedies is CBD Oil also known as cannabidiol. Pet CBD Oil has shown to have medical benefits aside from helping with itchy skin and skin allergies. The secret is that Cannabinoids produced in the dog’s body have an anti-inflammatory effect. Endocannabinoids seem to play an important role in regulating inflammation processes.
CBD Oil is safer for dogs and provides non-toxic and non-psychoactive treatment. CBD has been shown to have other medical benefits aside from helping with skin allergies in dogs. It is used to reduce pain, stimulate appetite, reduce anxiety, and help fight against cancer.
Read more to find out how to give your dog CBD oil.
Preventing Dog Hives
Do not expose your dog to the offending allergy. The most effective method for avoiding dog hives is this. However, it is simpler said than done. Your dog's surrounding environment is full with allergens, and their food may also include them.
It is necessary to take action to find the allergy responsible so you can limit or completely shield your pet from exposure. Your veterinarian may provide an injection 10–14 minutes before to the vaccination if your dog has previously responded negatively to a certain vaccine.
To reduce negative responses, your veterinarian may decide that future vaccination regimens for your pet need to be changed.
