Dogs can suffer from allergies just the same as humans can. Their immune system recognizes an allergen as being a potential threat and reacts by trying to fight it off, resulting in things such as runny noses, lethargy, stomach upsets, and allergic dermatitis.

Allergens can be found everywhere, including in dog food and also in your dog’s environment, so allergic reactions may follow mealtimes or time spent outdoors. Fortunately, there are multiple allergy medicines for dogs, including those that are incorporated into soft chews and dental sticks, liquids, and granules that can be mixed with food or treats.

The best option will depend on the type and severity of the allergic reaction, the veterinarian’s prescription, and your dog’s preference for certain presentations, for example, whether they happily take soft chews or know how to swallow pills. Below are reviews of 1o of the best allergy medicines for dogs we could find.

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The 10 Best Allergy Medicines for Dogs

1. Vetnique Labs Dermabliss – Best Overall

Seasonal allergies are allergies that occur at specific times of the year. We most commonly think of hay fever, which causes a reaction when the trees and plants release their pollen, but such allergies can happy at any time of the year as a response to outdoor molds releasing spores.

Whether your dog suffers with hay fever or has allergic reactions when it’s damp outside, Vetnique Labs Dermabliss Allergy & Immune Salmon Flavored Seasonal Allergy & Fish Oil Soft Chew Supplements are designed to help thanks to their combination of omega fatty acids, vitamins, quercetin, and colostrum. Because they contain salmon oil as a source of omega oils, they also have a fishy taste that will appeal to seafood-loving canines, although this doesn’t account for all dogs.

The soft chew is more expensive than some other allergy medicines, but they contain natural ingredients, have an appealing flavor, and are one of the best overall allergy medicines for dogs that suffer from seasonal allergies.

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2. Zesty Paws Soft Chews for Dogs – Best Value

Zesty Paws Aller-Immune Lamb Flavored Soft Chews Allergy & Immune Supplement for Dogs contain ingredients to encourage a healthy immune response and to maintain a good immune system, probiotics for good gut health, and natural immune modulators that help control histamine levels for dogs with skin allergies.

They come as a soft chew that is lamb flavored and tends to prove popular with most dogs (although there will always be exceptions) and while a lot of allergy medicines for dogs concentrate on a single type of allergic response, such as runny noses or skin conditions, these supplements offer full support. They are also free from corn, wheat, soy, and grain, all of which are considered common allergens and could be the very ingredients you need to eliminate from your dog’s diet. These lamb-flavored chews are free from chicken, which is a common meat protein that may also act as an allergen in dogs.

The chews are very well priced, when you take into account the number of chews required and the cost per container, making them the best allergy medicine for dogs for the money. They do have a strong smell that might deter some allergic canines, but they are made using premium ingredients, are tasty enough to be eaten without food, and they do help with allergic reaction signs in some dogs.

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3. PetAlive Allergy Itch Ease Homeopathic Medicine for Dogs & Cats – Premium Choice

While some allergy medicines aim to tackle all of the signs of allergic reactions, taking a more targeted approach can yield better results because it enables you to concentrate your efforts and provide medicine that includes important ingredients while excluding others.

PetAlive Allergy Itch Ease Homeopathic Medicine For Allergies Supplement for Dogs & Cats specifically targets the itching and irritated skin that is associated with allergies. Dermatological problems can include contact dermatitis, caused when your dog brushes against or touches something that they are allergic or sensitive to, but they can also be caused by seasonal and dietary allergies. It’s homeopathic medicine and contains arum, chamomile, and viola. The medicine is quite expensive, and it comes in the form of granules. Granules are meant to be fed directly to the dog by sprinkling them on the tongue or in the mouth. Some dogs may willingly accept the granules, but many will refuse them, especially after the first attempt.

The dosage levels are a bit vague, suggesting feeding a few sprinkles, making it easy to get carried away giving too much, or giving too little, and you need to give quite a lot of the granules during the first sitting. However, if you have an accepting dog that is suffering dermatological reactions to an allergy, and a steady hand that can accurately measure sprinkles, it is a good choice to combat itchy skin.

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4. PetHonesty AllergySupport Peanut Butter Flavored – Best for Puppies

Most homeopathic and natural allergy relief medicines are safe for puppies to take, although you should always check the dosage to make sure. However, suitability isn’t the only factor that determines how effective an allergy supplement is for your puppy. It needs to be appealing and have a good flavor to ensure that your dog takes it every time, not just the first time.

PetHonesty AllergySupport Peanut Butter Flavored Soft Chews Allergy & Immune Supplement for Dogs is suitable for dogs of all ages, is reasonably priced, and it has a peanut butter flavor that masks other tastes and tends to be popular with pups. It also contains salmon oil; a source of omega fatty acids, probiotics to help with upset tummies, and a host of vitamins and minerals that are designed to support the immune system and fight against allergic reactions. The soft chews are palatable and free from allergens including corn, wheat, soy, and GMOs.

It can take some time for the natural ingredients in the PetHonesty chews to work, and no allergy medicine is completely foolproof, so there will be some puppies that don’t show results. But the combination of appealing peanut butter taste, natural ingredients, and decent price make this a good and safe choice for puppies.

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5. Vetnique Labs Dermabliss Anti-Itch & Allergy Relief

Suitable for breeds of all sizes but only recommended for adult dogs, Vetnique Labs Dermabliss Hydrocortisone Spray Anti-Itch & Allergy Relief Soothing Medicated Cat & Dog Spray is designed to help dogs (and cats) that suffer from itchy and irritable skin caused by allergic reactions. It contains hydrocortisone, which is a steroid and the reason this solution isn’t advised for puppies.

Hydrocortisone calms the immune system’s response to allergens, therefore reducing pain and minimizing the urge to itch affected areas. Other ingredients include oats to naturally soothe the area and alcohol to help clean and sterilize. The spray is reasonably priced and is applied by spraying onto the affected skin and then massaging it in.

It can be used up to four times a day and using it this often does increase the price you have to pay for relief. However, while it can alleviate the side effects of allergies, it doesn’t fight the original cause, so it is best when combined with an elimination diet or as a means of alleviating the side effects of a seasonal allergy.

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6. HomeoPet Nose Relief Homeopathic Medicine for Allergies & Respiratory Infections

Another form of allergy medicine comes in the shape of liquid drops. Drops are a flexible medicine form because they can be given directly if your dog allows it. Alternatively, they can be mixed in with food or treats to make them even easier to swallow and more palatable.

HomeoPet Nose Relief Homeopathic Medicine for Allergies & Respiratory Infections contains a host of homeopathic remedies that have proven effective in the fight against allergic rhinitis and respiratory infections. The ingredients have no known side effects, and the bottle is affordably priced. They are considered safe for dogs of all ages, including nursing females.

The solution can take some time to work, during which time you may notice that the nasal discharge and mucus production increase a little, and it does have quite a strong taste so despite being a convenient liquid, it may still prove difficult to mask even with food and treats.

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7. PetHonesty Anti-Scratch Salmon Oil for Dogs

PetHonesty Anti-Scratch Salmon Oil Turkey Flavored Liquid Allergy Supplement for Dogs is another liquid supplement, and it combines the smell and flavors of salmon oil and turkey, so it should be easy to administer, although this may not be the case for picky eaters that can detect alien substances in their food from another room.

It can be given directly, although it will be easier to add to food or treats, thanks to the pump dispenser on top of the bottle. The natural ingredients, which include omega oils, colostrum, immune modulators, and probiotics, work to soothe allergy-related itching and other skin conditions. The ingredients are free from allergens and common food sensitivity triggers like wheat, corn, preservatives, and GMOs.

The bottle is a little pricey and because this is a natural supplement, it will take time for the ingredients to support the immune system so don’t expect it to start work right away. Also, despite the salmon oil and turkey flavor, it does have quite a strong smell and may actually be difficult to get some dogs to take it easily.

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8. PetArmor Antihistamine Medication for Allergies for Dogs

PetArmor Antihistamine Medication for Allergies for Dogs contains diphenhydramine which is the same compound that is found in Benadryl Ultra tablets. The antihistamine works to regulate and normalize histamine levels in your dog, and while the tablets can be used to help combat the side effects of any allergy and any allergy type, including seasonal allergies, they are also effective against insect bites and PetArmor also recommends the tablet to help combat travel anxiety.

The tablet is unflavored, which means that if you can’t get your dog to take it whole or in a treat, you may have to try and crush it up to mix it in with wet food.

The box is reasonably priced and includes 100 tablets, but it is worth noting that the ingredients are almost identical to generic Benadryl tablets. It can be effective against skin allergies, insect bites, and other allergic reactions, but the fact that it is an unflavored tablet means that it can be difficult to get down your dog: although not if you have given Benadryl tablets in the past.

• See Also: Can You Give A Cat Benadryl? What Are The Uses & Side Effects? (Vet Answer)

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9. Vet’s Best Chicken Flavored Soft Chews

Made from nettle leaf, perilla seed, and vitamin E, Vet’s Best Chicken Flavored Soft Chews are a natural supplement designed to ease the pain and irritation that causes excessive scratching as a result of seasonal allergies. They are chicken flavored, which should encourage at least some dogs to eat them without having to break them up to put in food. The chews are reasonably priced, too, and unless your pup is suffering extreme allergic reactions, a single chew a day is the advised dosage, so a bag should last you for a few months.

The chews seem to have a strong flavor that can lead to drooling and could potentially cause an upset stomach, so it might be best to start at half the recommended dose and only increase this if your dog doesn’t show any adverse effects. They aren’t effective in preventing all seasonal allergy symptoms and even struggle to stop the itching and skin irritation that they are targeted at.

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10. NaturVet Antioxidant Soft Chews Allergy Supplement for Dogs

NaturVet Aller-911 Plus Antioxidant Soft Chews Allergy Supplement for Dogs is another soft chew supplement, this time containing natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatories like turmeric root. Antioxidants will support your dog’s immune system to fight environmental pollutants, although such supplements can take time to do their work and are usually given as more of a preventative rather than reactive medicine. Other ingredients include omega fatty acids, which are not only good for your dog’s immune system but also help improve the quality and health of the skin and coat.

The inactive ingredients are natural, but the chews do include canola oil, which is a somewhat controversial ingredient that a lot of owners try to avoid. The chews are well priced, but you do have to feed quite a lot of them each day: a typical 50-pound dog would need to be given four of the tablets daily, for example. And they aren’t flavored, which means that a lot of pups will turn their noses up at this supplement.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Allergy Medicine for Dogs

Allergies in dogs can be mild to severe and may include signs such as runny nose, watery eyes, or itchy and flaky skin that tends to develop secondary infections due to excessive scratching. As with humans, allergic reactions are uncomfortable and unpleasant, and if your dog suffers from an allergy, whether it be to food, something environmental, or a seasonal allergy, you will want to find what the allergen is and purchase an allergy medicine that is easy to administer, your dog takes well, and that effectively helps combat allergy symptoms. There is no single cure that will work for all dogs or on all types of allergies. But there are a lot of options out there, so you should be able to find something that will help your best friend get back on his feet.

Signs of Dog Allergies

Dog allergic reactions are similar to those of people. Signs can include respiratory problems such as coughing, wheezing, and sneezing. The most common sign for dogs, however, is that of itchy skin. If you notice your dog scratching a lot more than usual, especially in a specific area or several areas, it could be a sign of an allergic reaction. A runny nose and streaming eyes are also common, while some dogs will become lethargic, and others may suffer from gastrointestinal upset. If you see any of these signs, you should keep an eye on them to see how they develop and consult a vet if they get too bad.

What Are Allergies?

At its most basic, an allergic reaction occurs when the immune system misidentifies a particular protein as being harmful to the body. The immune system then attempts to fight this alien substance and an inflammatory reaction takes place.

When an allergen is detected by cells within the body, the immune system’s cells release histamine. It is these histamines that cause itching, swelling, and other allergy symptoms in your dog, and it is these that antihistamines try to fight.

Some allergies are fatal due to an extreme overreaction of the immune system towards the allergen. These allergies are known as anaphylaxis and are considered a medical emergency.

Allergy Treatment Options

If you suspect an allergy in your dog, consult a vet. They will be able to perform skin tests and can recommend other diagnostic tests, some of which you can even conduct at home. If your vet thinks that your dog is allergic to a particular protein in their food, you may be encouraged to start an elimination diet.

Feeding an elimination diet means giving food that is made up of a very select number of basic proteins, feeding this for a given amount of time, and then gradually adding proteins back in and monitoring the results. If you add a specific protein and your dog shows an allergic reaction after eating it, they have an allergy to this ingredient.

Typically, you will be encouraged to continue adding proteins back in the diet, rather than simply avoiding the first protein that shows an allergic reaction. Your dog could be allergic to several ingredients, and if you stop after identifying a single allergen, you could still be feeding allergens.

Common Allergies

There are three primary types of allergies that a dog can suffer from.

Choosing Allergy Medicines for Dogs

Whatever type of allergy your dog suffers, there are medicines and supplements to assist. Remember that no single solution works for all dogs or all types of allergies and you may need to try more than one before you enjoy success.

Medicine Form

Consider the following types of medicine according to your dog, their food preference, and their likelihood to take certain types of medicine.

Conclusion

The best allergy medicine for your dog will depend on your dog, as well as the type and severity of allergy they suffer. Choose between chews, tablets, and medicines, according to their willingness to accept food, and choose the brand according to its active ingredients.

While compiling reviews, we found the Vetnique Labs Dermabliss Allergy & Immune Salmon Flavored Seasonal Allergy & Fish Oil Soft Chew Supplement for Dogs to be the best overall because it is cheap, easy to feed, and has proven successful. Zesty Paws Aller-Immune Lamb Flavored Soft Chews Allergy & Immune Supplement for Dogs is a little cheaper, is also a soft chew, and uses natural ingredients.

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Featured Image Credit: megaflopp, Shutterstock