Figuring out what’s gotten under your pet’s skin begins with what’s going on inside.

Cats and dogs can suffer terribly from allergies. And, just like people, they can react to any number of allergens—including substances in the environment like dust and pollen or foods like corn and wheat. But despite these similarities, allergies manifest quite differently in animals than they do in people. You may have a runny nose, itchy eyes, or clogged sinuses when you have an allergy attack, but cats and dogs experience most of their suffering in their skin. So, if Fluffy is scratching like crazy, licking her skin, or losing fur, chances are she’s allergic to something.

These symptoms can also point to infections or thyroid disease, so be sure to have a veterinarian examine your pet thoroughly to rule them out before moving forward with any allergy treatment. And don’t be surprised if things move slowly. So many sources of allergens exist, you may need to do a bit of sleuthing and resort to a process of elimination to pinpoint exactly what your pet is reacting to.

Conventional treatments abound for allergy symptoms, but they bring with them a host of potential problems. Start with a more holistic approach, which begins with identifying the allergen and making environmental, nutritional, and natural supplement modifications to build your pet’s resistance to it.

The conventional approach
The conventional approach to allergies relies heavily on the use of medications—mainly corticosteroids (such as prednisone) or antihistamines. While antihistamines are usually safer than corticosteroids, they still can present some real challenges. First, it may take some trial and error to find an antihistamine that works for your pet. Second, you’ll probably have to administer the medication two to three times a day. If you’ve ever tried to give your dog (or worse your cat!) a pill, you know what a pain that can be—for both of you. Finally, some pets get very drowsy with antihistamines, so you may be forced to try a number of options before you find one that’s acceptable.

Corticosteroids work extremely well and very quickly—usually within 24 hours—but unfortunately they carry with them a number of side effects ranging from the bothersome (like increased urination) to the potentially lethal (like immune-system suppression). Short-term use of corticosteroids may offer one avenue of treatment, even in a holistic approach, but long-term use is dangerous and ill advised, except when euthanasia is the only alternative. If your doctor suggests corticosteroids for your pet, make sure you’ve exhausted all natural alternatives first. If corticosteroids are the only answer, give them on a short-term, as-needed basis using as low a dose as possible.

The holistic approach
While the integrative approach doesn’t rule out medications like antihistamines or corticosteroids to treat acute flare-ups of itching, it focuses on reviewing your pet’s habits and lifestyle to figure out the best way to stop the itch.

�Diet Proper diet provides the foundation upon which all integrative pet-care programs are based. Simply put, your pet is what she eats, and food allergies are quite common. Unfortunately, they can also be difficult to diagnose, because a dog can continue to show allergic symptoms for up to three months after you’ve removed the offending food from his diet. Among the more common food allergies are beef, chicken, pork, milk, eggs, whey, fish, corn, soy, wheat preservatives, and lamb. Processed food and byproducts can also pose problems, so if you suspect that food is the culprit, feed your pet only high-quality, natural pet foods or prepare homemade meals—either cooked or raw. If your pet suffers from food allergies, the best way to identify the offending cuisine is by process of elimination. Switch to a hypoallergenic diet (ask your veterinarian for details) and gradually add foods back into the diet.

�Supplement Support Some nutritional supplements can help decrease the inflammation response at the heart of allergy flare-ups, and they can also boost immune function and heal damaged skin. Important caveat: You must consult your veterinarian before giving your pet any dietary supplements. Serious side effects can result, so let your doctor be the one to diagnose and prescribe. Most pets, with their vets�approval, can benefit from a general health maintenance supplement (with vitamins, minerals, and immune-supporting nutrients), omega-3 oils to control inflammation, and antioxidants to boost the immune system. Other supplements might help, depending on your pet’s symptoms.

�Exposure to toxins Most pets receive far too many vaccines, which may harm the immune system and intensify the itching in an allergic pet. Instead of following the standard vaccination protocol, have your vet perform a simple blood antibody test called a titer test to determine if and when your pet might need vaccinations.

While monthly heartworm preventive medication is important in areas affected by heartworm, most pets don’t need annual chemical flea and tick control. Instead, only use this if your pet actually has fleas or ticks, or better yet, ask your holistic vet to prescribe a natural program that can help alleviate parasites.

Environmental irritants such as dust, mildew, and mold commonly contribute to allergies in both pets and people. If your pet’s allergies come on seasonally, ragweed, grass, or pollen may be the culprit. Your pet’s bedding could also be making him sick—either the material or the detergent you use to wash it—or even the cleaning supplies you use in your house.

�Baths Frequent bathing with a soothing, all-natural shampoo (such as one that combines oatmeal and aloe vera) is an essential step in removing antigens from your pet’s fur and skin. Regular bathing minimizes itching and inflammation and appears to cut down on the amount of medication animals need.

Finally, try to be patient. It takes time to see the impact of reducing the allergens in your pet’s surroundings and in her diet, and nutritional supplements can take up to a month to take effect. It’s important to work with a holistic veterinarian you trust to find the best course of treatment. Allergies can be difficult and frustrating for both you and your pet, but supporting Fluffy’s—or Fido’s—whole being in its efforts to ward off allergies will be well worth the effort in the long run.