Friday, August 30, 2019

Easy DIY Dog Allery Hacks

*Always consult your veterinarian prior to self-medicating your dog. I am not a veterinarian or medical professional so use the Purple Stuff and the Anti-Itch Spray at your own risk. I am sharing these recipes based on my personal experience and those of my colleagues.
   It is the time of year when dogs everywhere are raising a united hind leg and scratching their annoying itch. I would be afraid to know how much money we have sent to combat the misery of itching over the years of being pet parents. We have bought sprays, ointments, shampoos, powders, you name it and we’ve tried it. Our vets have given steroid shots and pills. Most of them work for a time but at what cost both monetarily and health-wise for your dog?

    I try very hard not to put chemicals in or on Bentley and Pierre. *The exceptions are their heartworm preventative and required immunizations. For allergies, we tried Apoquel® and it was incredible. Bentley’s itching stopped within hours and we were all so happy! Then, I read one too many reports on how dangerous the side effects can be to use long term. No, thank you!
   What is the pet parent of an itchy dog supposed to do? I found this DIY recipe on a Facebook page from Rodney Habib and Dr. Karen Becker. It was super simple to mix and spray. It does need to be kept in the refrigerator but that makes it feel even better to Bentley.

Ingredients
½ cup apple cider vinegar
½ cup brewed green tea
1 cup distilled water
5 drops of lavender essential oil (optional)

Instructions
Mix together in two cup container. Pour liquid into a clean spray bottle. Shake well before spraying your dog and never spray near their face. I spray some in my hand to rub under Bentley’s neck. 
*This mixture only smells while it is wet, but I spray Bentley outside. It keeps him from itching for several hours. He usually gets sprayed in the morning and again in the afternoon. It would be nice to have it keep the itches away longer, but for a chemical-free solution that works, I don’t mind.
   The second problem that we have conquered thanks to a DIY recipe are ear infections. We have been mixing the Purple Stuff at home and I am incredibly proud to announce that Bentley has been ear infection free for FOUR YEARS! It's incredible because we spent his first 8 years treating an infection about every 3 months.
    The Purple Stuff is so incredible that I tell total strangers about it. Just think of me as The Purple Stuff Paul Revere of ear infections. 
*Always make sure that your dog DOES NOT have an infection when starting this treatment.
The Purple Stuff
Ingredients
16 oz. isopropyl alcohol
16 drops Gentian Violet (1% solution)

Preparation
   Mix ingredients in the alcohol bottle and shake well. It is important to shake the solution every time you use it to mix the Boric Acid Powder. You can use a baby ear syringe or a plastic squirt bottle to put the solution into your dog’s ears.
*This solution will stain so it is best to apply outdoors so your dog can shake their heads without turning your walls and carpet a lovely shade of violet!!

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12 comments :

  1. the mama will make that magic potion ... or she will ask the drugstore guy to ake it for her (we think that sounds better lOL)

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  2. Ugh, the 1st is coming up which means family ear cleaning, but it is sure better than getting infections! Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

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  3. I must say, for a cocker, I have been free of the usual itches and ear infections that result from allergies. But all three of my cocker spaniel predecessors were plagued with them. Thanks for the info, but I hope I continue to be allergy free.

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  4. 'skeeters had a buffet with my yesterday while sitting on the porch...I might need some of that itch mix
    Happy Labor Day
    Cecilia

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  5. Cool! I prefer to use non-prescription stuff if possible!
    Both Sweetie and Angel like to eat their Treatable chews, and I feel that, after a week, they both are responding well.

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  6. Gold star for you using homemade recipes like these. Well done and thanks for sharing. We all can benefit from using less chemicals.

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  7. Simple, but effective. We're lucky that we don't have those problems (touch wood) but will make a note of the recipes in case things change. Thanks.

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  8. Sometimes the best things that work are the DIYs. We're glad you found something that works!

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  9. Luke is miserable with seasonal allergies this time of year, so we might have to give that spray a try! We don't like the medications either, so we're always trying different natural things hoping to hit on something that really works! Even Benadryl and Claritin, which are supposed to be pretty safe, don't seem to help much!
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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  10. How awesome that you found some safe DIY stuff that works for those allergies! :)

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  11. Thanks for the recipes. Allergies are nasty.

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