Dog allergies are more common than you might think. Signs of an eye allergy in dogs include a clear discharge, swelling and redness, and may be accompanied by other signs of allergy such as excessive itching. In most cases it is fairly easy to treat eye allergies in dogs. That said, it is important to have your veterinarian diagnose your dog before you assume that your dog has an eye allergy.
Things You'll Need
- Cotton balls
- Sterilized water
- Limited ingredient dog food
Instructions
Clean your dog's eyes with lukewarm water. The eyes should be free of debris and hair. You can gently swab the eye a few times daily with sterilized, lukewarm water. Use a clean cotton ball and make sure you wash your hands in advance.
Give your dog an antihistamine such as Benadryl. Generally, the standard dosage for Benadryl is 1 mg per every lb. of body weight, given up to three times a day. Check this dosage with your veterinarian before giving it to your dog. Certain dogs may need a reduced dose.
Add supplements to your dog's daily routine. Antioxidants such as vitamins E and C can help reduce immune response to allergens. You can give your dog 100 IU of Vitamin E and 100 mg of Vitamin C daily. Omega-3 fatty acids can also help reduce allergies in dogs because they help reduce inflammation. Give your dog 1 tsp. of ground flaxseed each day.
Change your dog to a limited ingredient dog food. Limited ingredient dog food is a certain type of diet that meets a specific dietary need, similar to using a weight management formula for an overweight dog or a senior formula for an elderly dog. Dogs with eye allergies are often intolerant of certain ingredients or they have a hard time digesting multiple components simultaneously. A limited ingredient dog food will only use about five or six components not counting vitamins and mineral. It will use only one animal protein source and, if carbohydrates are used at all, it is easy to digest carbohydrates such as barley, sweet potatoes or brown rice. This is important, because changing food often can improve a dog's allergies.