The sight of your dog constantly scratching, licking, or chewing is a familiar and distressing one. Allergic reactions in dogs, often described as itchy skin (or more technically atopic dermatitis), can significantly impact their quality of life.

Fortunately, veterinary research has made great strides, offering a range of effective dog allergy medicine that go beyond simply managing symptoms and now include immunotherapy (e.g., allergy shots), specialized medications like Apoquel and Cytopoint.

Symptoms of Dog Allergies

The most common allergic symptom is itchy skin, but symptoms can also affect the digestive system, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea.

Allergies That Affect Dogs

The three most common allergies in dogs are:

• Flea allergy, which occurs as a reaction to flea saliva, is considered the most common allergy affecting dogs,” according to the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital, though that varies based on geography. “For example, fleas do not survive well in the Southwest. Environmental allergies are more common there.”

Dogs with flea-allergy dermatitis can get very itchy from only a couple of flea bites. The most affected areas are usually around the base of the tail. If you think your dog may be suffering from flea allergies,  check for fleas and flea dirt on your dog and home.

• Environment: Like you, your dog can be allergic to environmental factors. As the term implies, environmental dog allergies stem from something in your dog’s surroundings. These could be airborne substances in your home, backyard, or wherever else your dog hangs out and include pollen, dust mites, mold, and grasses.

  These allergies are often triggered by inhaled allergens like dust, mold, pollen, or other plant or animal particles. The allergens can also be absorbed through the skin, leading to a condition called atopic dermatitis, characterized by itchy and inflamed skin

• Food allergies, which are the least common, occur when a dog’s immune system overreacts to certain ingredients in their diet. Food allergies can occur even if your dog has eaten the offending food many times before. Note that there’s a difference between food allergies and food sensitivities.

  True dog allergies are an immune system reaction to foods the body thinks are harmful, often protein. So, the immune system creates antibodies that trigger allergic reactions. These could show up as wheezing, skin eruptions, itching or swelling. But true food allergies are rare, and experts estimate they affect less than 10% of dogs who experience food reactions.

  Signs of food allergies in dogs, according to Medvet, a network of veterinary emergency and specialty hospitals, include “persistent itching, licking, or chewing different areas of their body, getting secondary yeast or bacterial skin or ear infections, or repeated gastrointestinal signs like vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive gas.”

Allergy Shots for Dogs

“Allergy shots [or  immunotherapy] are the best long-term treatments for controlling environmental allergies in dogs,” says Dr Aimee Warner, a veterinary surgeon at Medivet.

They do this by slowly desensitizing the immune system, gradually training it not to overreact to the offending allergens such as pollen, mold, or dust mites, Dr. Warner says.

“It is highly individualized, based on allergy testing, and can really cut down on symptoms in the long run. While a commitment, many dogs see drastically improved quality of life without resorting to constant medication,” says Dr. Warner

Dog Allergy Medication Options: Cytopoint vs. Apoquel
Several drugs are often used to manage allergic symptoms in dogs, including antihistamines and corticosteroids, according to Warner. “However, the best options in cases of moderate to severe allergies are usually Apoquel and Cytopoint. Both drugs target the itch-scratch cycle in a different way and help suppress inflammation. While over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl may have some weak effect, they are usually ineffective in severe cases of allergies.”

Cytopoint is an injectable monoclonal antibody that, Warner says, inhibits a protein that causes itch in dogs. It acts in 24 hours and lasts four to eight weeks per injection. “The best thing about Cytopoint is how targeted and safe it is — it’s not an immunosuppressant, so it’s ideal for dogs that cannot handle other medication. It’s particularly effective in dogs with chronic allergic dermatitis.”

Like Cytopoint, Apoquel is a first-line treatment for allergic itch, but these medications are not interchangeable. It inhibits specific pathways (JAK enzymes) involved in itch and inflammation to dampen the immune system, with quick relief that is typically seen within hours. Cytopoint injections are given monthly and target a particular itch-inducing protein.

“I tend to prescribe Cytopoint for younger dogs or dogs with chronic allergy management requirements, while Apoquel might be better for short-term relief or when injections are not possible. Some dogs even do well with a combination strategy, depending on the response,” Warner says.

Immunotherapy For Dog Allergies

While allergy shots offer hope for dogs plagued by allergies, they aren’t perfect solutions for every dog or dog owner. According to leading veterinary dermatologists and research from veterinarian schools at institutions like Cornell University, and the University of Wisconsin here are three things to consider:

• It can take six to 12 months to see the full benefits, and initial injection frequencies can be high before moving to maintenance (typically about every four weeks).
• Many dogs require lifelong maintenance injections to sustain the benefits.
• Initial testing and treatment can be an investment, though it may be more cost-effective long-term by reducing reliance on symptomatic medications.

For a Tailored Approach to Allergy Relief Partner With Your Veterinarian
Managing dog allergies requires a partnership between you and  your veterinarian. Whether through the long-term, disease-modifying approach of immunotherapy, or the effective symptomatic relief offered by medications like Apoquel and Cytopoint, the goal remains the same: to alleviate your dog’s discomfort and restore their quality of life.

A thorough veterinary examination and discussion of your dog’s specific needs, lifestyle, and your preferences will help determine the most appropriate and effective treatment plan.

Dogs can have catnip, It’s not likely to do any harm. But, does catnip work on dogs like it does cats? Not really. Catnip seems to have a mild sedative effect on a few dogs, but I wouldn’t recommend it to calm a dog on the 4^th of July!

If you decide to expose your dog to catnip, try a small amount of dried crushed plant or fresh crushed leaves. Sprinkling catnip over a snuffle mat would limit any eating and give a low-dose exposure.

I ran a simple experiment with my four dogs. The two female Belgian Tervuren showed no interest in catnip. They aren’t especially interested in cats either. The male Belgian Tervuren and the male Cirneco dell Etna were both interested. They each took the catnip toy when offered and walked off with it. The Terv sniffed and licked it. Sort of his typical toy reaction. The Cirneco sniffed, licked, and rolled on it, but less intensely than my cats do. I did not see any sedating effects.

Is Catnip Bad for Dogs?

Honestly, if your dog shows a lot of interest in your cat’s catnip toys, it is best to keep them away from him. Chewing and swallowing part of the toy could cause an intestinal obstruction.

Interacting with a catnip filled toy is, of course, different from eating either dried or fresh catnip. I do have some growing around my yard. None of my dogs have ever shown any interest in the plants themselves (other than the boys marking, but they are comfortable marking virtually any plant).

What Is Catnip?

Catnip is a member of the mint family of plants. Cat reactions vary with individual cats. One cat may act goofy, another cat may act irritable, and a third cat may just mellow out. Nepetalactone is the active ingredient in catnip, and many cats (50% to 80%) are genetically predisposed to react to this. For a cat, this mimics pheromones similar to a cat in heat.

Catnip leaves do have some vitamin A, magnesium, and vitamin E but in small amounts, so it is not a valid nutritional supplement. Some dogs will have mild gastrointestinal upsets if they ingest a bunch of the plant.

Catnip and other varieties of mint can grow wild and will spread rapidly, so be aware of that if you plan to grow some for your cat. It can also attract stray cats to your yard.

The bottom line is that catnip is unlikely to cause your dog any harm, but it is unlikely to cause much of any behavioral reaction either.

Sileo gel for dogs may help dogs who seem to instinctively fear noise, or at a minimum, dislike certain noises. Those sounds can include vacuums, fireworks, thunder, any appliance that beeps, and more.

Sileo (dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel) is the first FDA-approved treatment for dogs that experience noise phobias or anxiety. Whether your dog needs treatment, be it behavioral modification or medication, can depend on the severity of the reaction to the noise, the frequency your dog is likely to encounter that sound, and if it is easy for you to manage avoiding that noise.

Sileo gel acts as a sedative for dogs and a bit of a tranquilizer. Your dog is still aware, but he “doesn’t care” as much about the disturbing noise. The gel must be carefully given orally. It is best to give it without food or anything that might interfere with absorption. You should wear gloves to avoid getting it on your skin as you would absorb it yourself. It can lower blood pressure.

Sileo Dosing Chart

It is very important to follow the dosing chart below exactly when giving Sileo, which is a prescription medication. The Sileo syringe has a plunger and marks dots on it to help you accurately dose your dogs, i.e., a 27-lb dog would get three dots.

Zoetis’s Sileo dosage chart is based on weight. Your veterinarian will go over dosages with you prior to dispensing the medication. Each dot contains .25 mL of Sileo. Each mL contains .1 mg of dexmedetomidine hydrochloride. Note: Don’t administer more than is recommended for your dog. When Sileo was released in 2016, there were incidents of people overdosing their dogs. Follow instructions carefully.

Sileo Dosing Chart

Sileo should not be given to dogs with health problems or who are on other medications. Always let your veterinarian know about any other medications or supplements your dog is taking. Weakness, loss of balance, tremors, and urination can all be side effects that should be reported to your veterinarian.

Other Dog Noise Phobia Medications

Other medications are available that may be recommended by your veterinarian as off-label alternatives to help with noise sensitivities. These include trazadone and gabapentin, which can help with anxiety.

Managing Your Dog’s Noise Phobia

Before reaching for medication, evaluate your dog’s noise problem. Management is usually a part of how to handle noise phobias. Perhaps it is just the vacuum that drives him crazy. This can be handled by putting your dog outside, in your car in a crate, or in a quiet corner of the house when you vacuum elsewhere.

Storm responses can be trickier. Storms don’t always follow forecast timing. You may have thought you would be home and able to keep your dog company somewhere quiet during a storm, but the storm arrives an hour earlier than expected. A coworker’s Irish Setter was known to jump out of second-floor windows and then run to escape loud storms. Her dog came to work on predicted stormy days to keep him safe.

Fireworks tend to be scheduled so you can plan. Some people simply pack up around big firework holidays like the 4^th of July and head for the middle of nowhere to camp for a few days. If you stay at home, with a known fireworks timetable, you can plan when to medicate your dog for best effect. Many military veterans with PTSD also react to firework sounds. Some towns are now pushing for silent or quiet light displays, such as with drones. You still get the beauty but without the bangs.

Understanding Dogs with Noise Anxiety

Many breeders work to expose their puppies to a variety of sounds as young pups. There are CDs as well as YouTube videos with sirens (some dogs howl at sirens), vacuums, fireworks, gunshots, etc. on them. Initially, play these at very low levels so as not to frighten the pups. Sound can gradually be increased.

Many puppy-evaluation protocols include checking for sound sensitivity. A sharp sound is made, and the response of each individual pup is recorded. A startle is expected (if the dog gives no response, I would be concerned about deafness). Ideally, a pup startles and then either goes to investigate or continues doing what it was. Running off and not wanting to come back is indicative of sound sensitivity.

Dogs of different heritages will often respond differently. For example, guardian breeds, like the Great Pyrenees and Rottweilers, tend to want to go investigate, which makes sense. Herding dogs, like the Australian Shepherd and Border Collies, will tend to want to move away. In “real life,” they would be moving their flock from danger. Terriers tend to charge in.

Behavior Protocols to Reduce Noise Phobias

While medications provide a crutch, it’s wise to use behavior protocols for reducing noise phobias in dogs. If you can, work with a behaviorist to draw up a plan for your individual dog.

“Flooding,” which is overwhelming your dog with the sound until he basically gives up and accepts it, is NOT recommended. It can easily lead to irreparable damage to your dog’s temperament and your relationship.

Desensitization is better. This starts with the offending sound at a very low level. Your dog needs to be able to move away. You try to pair the low-level sound with something the dog loves such as his favorite treats. This works best if done early in the development of this phobia. Once firmly established, it is harder to break. Gradually, you can increase the sound level if your dog stays calm.

The use of physical methods can help. Many owners swear by ThunderShirts and pressure wraps (a la Temple Grandin) to reduce anxiety. The use of earmuffs or ear wraps can also help reduce noises to a tolerable level.

You can also try “noise masking,” which adds sound to the environment to reduce the intensity of unwanted sound. It makes the scary sound more difficult to detect. With things like thunder and fireworks, they “tone down” the noise so it’s less starting to the dog.

Whole Dog Journal offers an online course in handling sound anxiety in dogs. Whole Dog Journal’s online course “Dogs and Noise Anxiety explains the secrets to helping your dog deal with storms, fireworks, loud motors, shrill-sounding appliances, and other ear-piercing noises.

Help Your Dog Avoid Noise

What can you do to avoid noise phobias? Start by looking for a puppy who has had noise exposures and who tested sound for noise reactions. Of course, that isn’t always possible.

If you notice your dog being anxious about certain sounds, act right away. Plan if you can help your dog avoid the noise. A friend’s dog recently became nervous about the washer. So, her dog must be in a quiet room at the other end of the house with the door closed when it is running.

If it is a sound that will be there frequently, work on desensitization. Remember, slow and steady! Don’t rush the process, proceed with baby steps. When you can’t avoid the noise, try to have your dog away and in a quiet, safe place. Anticipate noisy situations and apply a wrap or give medication ahead of time if possible.