Today I was asked my opinion on giving dogs Benadryl or any other antihistamine. Here is what I replied :
I would never use Benadryl or any other like that on a dog – or myself for that matter. When one thinks one needs this the dog, the immune system is already compromised. So is the liver and kidneys most of the time. So now you add a drug – which may or may not stop the itch – but the cause of the itch has not been addressed.
Do you then keep on giving Benadryl – until when? The liver cannot take it anymore?
If your dog has allergies – get to the bottom of it. 90% of the time its food related. I found over the years that people think they have to feed the same food all the time – wrong. If the body gets the same protein over and over it will eventually react to it.
The easiest and simplest way to find the source of the itch – put all the food you have been feeding away. And if its kibble – throw it out. 63 recalls on kibble in 8 month – does that ring a bell. You just never know what all the ingredients really are – they do not have to list every ingredient on the bag. Its all processed.
Then you decide on a protein your dog has not eaten before – or very infrequently i.e. If your main protein up to this point was chicken – switch to fish. You have to feed that particular protein (and only that – even in treats) for about 1 month.
Whatever protein you decided on – add a bit of Quinoa or Millet (well cooked) because chances are your dog has not been getting that.
Choose a vegetable – I usually go with freshly grated, raw yam and finely chopped parsley.Or you can add a bit of lightly steamed kale. Also blueberries seem to be non-reactive.
And yes, there are some homeopathic remedies and defiantly supplement to support the body and its immune system.
I have turned around many dogs allergies over the years – its amazing the impact nutrition has on the body.
And if you think of those “special diets” the vets sell for all kinds of situations – think again. They are made by the same companies with the recalls. 80% of kibble sold (including the one at the vet) is manufactured by 4 giant pet food companies, one of them is the MARS company – they also make your Mars bars………
I trust this will give you something to think about before you give your dog Benadryl… or a flea dapper on the neck…
Eva Blais
www.30dayswithoutkibble.com
www.evablais.usana.com
true health assessment