CBD FOR PETS MEANS RELIEF DURING ALLERGY SEASON
Your pet loves the outdoors. But nobody loves allergies, including them. Seasonal allergies are caused by pollen, grasses, molds, and fleas, and typically affect pets during spring and summer. The good news is that all the research on CBD has resulted in a variety of uses for both humans and their pets. Here's how to recognize seasonal allergies and what you can do to help your pet enjoy frolicking outside again.
WHAT ARE ALLERGIES, EXACTLY?
An allergy is a reaction to foreign substances or certain foods in the body that most people can tolerate. These substances and foods are allergens. Whenever the body encounters an allergen, the immune system overreacts by producing antibodies. It results in inflammation of the skin, airways, sinuses, and digestive system along with certain symptoms depending on the type of allergy. Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) gives a runny, stuffy nose, itching of the face, sneezing, and red, swollen, or watery eyes. This is what many people experience during "allergy season."
SYMPTOMS OF SEASONAL ALLERGIES:
ITCHING
Is your cat or dog scratching themselves a lot? Is it worse after being outside? This is usually the first sign of allergies. He or she may also bite their skin (especially paws), or rub their faces or bodies against vertical surfaces or the floor.
RED AND IRRITATED SKIN
Dogs and cats get rashes and hives, too. Look for irritated skin such as open sores, pimples or pustules between toes, in the ears or feet, or on the belly. Check for any puffiness or redness in the eyes, mouth, chin, paws, and anus.
LICKING OR HEAD SHAKING
If your pet is licking, especially the belly and paws, then it's from something outside. Dogs, in particular, will shake their heads when they're bothered by allergies.
HAIR LOSS OR FACIAL SCABBING
Losing hair on an area of the skin means your pet has an untreated allergy. It's also called a hot spot and occurs often in dogs. Cats tend to develop scabs on the face.
ODOR OR DISCHARGE
Look for either around the ears, which indicates an infection from yeast or bacteria.
A RUNNY NOSE, COUGHING/WHEEZING, OR SNEEZING
Dogs and cats don't tend to have breathing problems, but when they do you can't miss them. Wheezing is more common in cats.
HOW TO TREAT YOUR PET'S ALLERGIES
Bathe them regularly. When fresh from the outdoors, give them a foot soak. Keep your house as allergen-free as possible, and make sure they don't have fleas. Food might be a culprit: Kibble tends to be high in carbohydrates, which worsens inflammation. Instead, look for low-grain or grain and filler-free food. You can add supplements such as quercetin, omega-3 (e.g. fish oil), coconut oil, bromelain, and papain to further reduce inflammation and irritation.
Traditional over-the-counter treatment involves tiny dosages of the same medications that humans take. However, many require being taken with food, and some cause side effects in animals just like they do people. Many pet owners report success with pet CBD oil to reduce their pets' inflammation and allergic reactions. Best of all, there are no side effects or drug interactions.
If after making these changes your pet still has symptoms, visit your vet. He or she can provide testing and medication for long-term treatment and you can use the CBD oil as a supplement. Your pet is important, and you don't want them to be cooped up when they don't have to be.
CBD FOR YOU, TOO!
An allergy causes inflammation, and CBD is excellent for treating all kinds of inflammation. CBD oil can be put into your drinks, cooking, baking, or taken sublingually as a tincture.
We hope this has taken the guesswork out of seasonal allergies. For more information on our CBD products, contact us.
