Is Bichon Frise hypoallergenic?
Yes, Bichon Frises are hypoallergenic. Bichon Frises are prone to scratching and chewing on themselves which commonly results in serious skin conditions. They are hypoallergenic but they themselves suffer from allergies to fleas, chemicals, pollens, dust, etc.
What kinds of allergens cause allergy in Bichon Frise?
A lot of dogs are susceptible to allergies, but the Bichon Frise is one of the breeds that seem to be most affected whether it’s a reaction of foods, fleas, or other airborne allergens, these little dogs can really suffer making life difficult for their owners too.
There are some allergens which cause allergy in Bichon Frise breed dogs.
Flea Allergies :
All dogs could have a reaction to a flea bite, but the Bichon is known to have a particularly nasty reaction to them because they are extremely allergic to flea saliva which causes excessive itching and this leads to very sore skin and hair loss. Hot spots can suddenly appear anywhere on the body of your pet where a flea has bitten them.
The most common area affected by flea bites tends to be at the base of dog’s tail and a little further up on their lower backs.
Food Allergies:
Certain foods can often trigger allergies the breed tends to suffer from. There are certain “fillers” that pet food manufacturers put in dog food which can be responsible for causing an allergic reaction in Bichon.
There are some symptoms which may appear on your dog body:
- Excessive itching which results in sores
- Gastric disorders namely constipation, wind or diarrhea
- Difficult breathing
Airborne Allergies :
The breed also suffers from allergies bought on by airborne allergens which can be a real issue for many owners. They are certain toxins and chemicals in an environment that can trigger a reaction in these cute little dogs and again, it’s important to establish just what they are.
The problem is that many common household cleaning products contain chemicals that could be triggered. With this said pesticides and lawn treatments also contain toxins and chemicals which could be responsible for an allergic reaction in a Bichon.
There are the following symptoms:
- Skin disorders
- Respiratory issue
- Digesting disorders.
The Downside of using corticosteroids:
Studies have shown that using too many corticosteriod as a way of relieving the itchiness dogs have to put up with can lead to dogs developing Cushings Syndrome which can shorten their life spans quite drastically. Allergies in themselves are in fact, autoimmune diseases and as such, the body literally takes charge and attacks itself as a way of combating a disorder.
An autoimmune disease when it takes hold can attack various parts of a dog’s body whether it’s their blood, musculoskeletal system, eyes, kidneys, and nervous system.
Stress can be the Trigger:
Stress can be a trigger to Bichon Frises developing allergies and this include the stress factor associated with vaccinations as well as annual boosters that may dog’s are given.
How can we prevent these allergens to our Bichon Frise dog :
There are following preventive measures that help to remove these allergens.
Prevention from flea:
You can prevent your Bichon Frise dog from flea by cleaning the bedding of the dog with cleaning agents.
If your dog affected with flea then treatment should go with corticosteroid drugs.
Prevention from food allergens:
First of all, carry out specific tests to establish just which foods are triggering an allergic reaction in your pet which could take time. As such, you tend to put dogs on certain medications in order to alleviate their discomfort.
Supplementing a Bichons diet with probiotic supplements is also very useful because they promote good bacteria in the gut and these should be given along with certain vitamins which include the following:
- Vitamin E
- Vitamins B
- Omega 3
- Fatty acid
Prevention from airborne allergens:
You should be careful when using household cleaning and other products around the home and ideally, you should avoid using any that contain harmful toxins or chemicals.
Prevention from downside using corticosteroid:
Don’t use excessive steroidal drugs for treating the allergic reaction it may become dangerous as an autoimmune disease. The only treatment of this autoimmune is an auto vaccine.
How can we stop the allergies at our home?
We can stop these kinds of allergies at our home which are followings
Stop your sneezing:
Our home harbors a surprising number of sneaky allergy-causing culprits. They are hiding here and there in our home.
Clutter gathers dust:
A messy home contains nice digs for dust mites, bugs, mold, and mice. Recycle the old newspaper, magazines, canes, and grocery bags on an weekly basis and keep the dust bins outside if you can.
Carpet harbors dust mites :
Dust mites and pet dander love carpeting and rugs, so bust out your vac weekly. Make sure it has a high efficiency- particulate air(HEPA) filter to trap tiny particles.
Bedding :
Banish mites and mold by washing bedding in 130-degree water weekly. You can use the ultra capacity steam washer that removes more than 95 percent of allergens.
Bathroom:
A moist bathroom or basement walls love to breed mold. Wipe them down with a chlorine bleach solution ( 1- ounce bleach to 1 quart H2O) to keep fungus at bay. In the fall, mold also moves indoors via wet leaves on shoes and damp firewood. Store wood in a separate dry space, like the garage, and keep the yard leaf-free.
Crumbs in the kitchen:
Crumbs and overflowing garbage lure mice and roaches and their dropping can aggravate allergies. Keep your space clean. Try boric acid and traps for the pests.
Open windows bring outdoor allergies in:
Keep your windows shut between the high-pollen count hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. because these hours may enter pollens which may cause the allergy. Change the AC filter monthly it will remove all kinds of pollens in your home.
Remove shoes outside to avoid tracking in pollen particles.
How to fight with basement mold:
For fighting with mold you should use dehumidifier which should be set between 35 and 45 percent humidity. Dehumidifier available in several sizes before purchasing dehumidifier you should know about the humidity level of your home humidity level will be measured with the humidity gauge.
House plants can hold the mold:
Your potted plants can harbor sneeze-producing mold on their leaves. Remove any moldy leaves immediately, and don’t let water pool in the pot’s tray.
Find only the healthiest plants for your home.
Pet dander:
Pet dander and saliva spell trouble for 30 percent of allergy suffers.
Washing and brushing your pet weekly can lower your home’s danger level. Keep dogs and cats out of the bedroom, and cover air vents with cheesecloth to keep dander from spreading from room to room.
Fabric furnishing hold dust and dander:
Do your home dusting on weekly. Wash blankets and throw rugs in hot water. Pick up pet fur with your vacs upholstery attachment, and try to keep the pet off the furniture. Make sure the air temp. is below 70 degrees.
What kind of natural remedies we can make at our home for curing our dog from allergies?
If your dog suffers allergies and you want to use natural remedies instead of steroids or medication, there are several options available that can help your dog.
The natural remedies below can fight those symptoms while avoiding the potentially harmful side effects of many medications.
Here are natural remedies for dogs that can help fight symptoms of allergies.
1. Quercetin:
Quercetin is a flavonoid, which is basically a compound in plants that gives fruits and veggies their colorful pigments.
Quercetin has antioxidant, antihistamine, and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps fight cellular activity associated with inflammation, which reduces itching.
Its also used to treat asthma and respiratory issues because it reduces inflammation. Quercetin has cancer- preventing qualities, as well.
The supplement comes in pill and capsule form. For the right dosage in milligrams,
Take your dog weight, multiply by 1000mg, then divide by 125.
2. Bromelain and papain:
Bromelain and papain are proteolytic enzymes, which is a fancy way of saying they break down protein. Bromelain comes from pineapples, and papain comes from papayas.
Bromelain and papain also reduce pain and inflammation in mucous membranes and other parts of the body.
3. Oat baths:
DO NOT use oat if your dog is itching due to a yeast infection. Oat is a source of carbohydrates, which will only make yeast thrive.
However, if your pup’s itching is caused by allergies, an oat bath can be very soothing. Boil oat straw in the water and mix it in with your dog’s bath.
This will reduce itching, and the bath itself will be helpful in removing many of the allergens that can be present on your dog’s skin or trapped in their coat.
4. Aloe vera:
When you use aloe vera for your dog, make sure you are not using the whole leaf. The leaf contains saponins, the yellow or orange substance found in the rind, which is a laxative that can make your dog sick. Use only gel.
Aloe has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties that make it perfect for treating burns, itches, and hot spots when applying the gel to the affected areas.
The cooling effect often reduces the discomfort immediately. It should be applied twice a day.
5. Thyme :
Thyme contains flavonoids, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties. It also has antiseptic and antifungal properties, which make it great for use where skin and yeast infections are common, like between your dog’s toes.
dry or fresh thyme and apply it to the affected areas. Make sure it gets deep between the toes too.
6. Chickweed gel:
Chickweed has anti-inflammatory properties that make it good for treating itches and hot spots.
Chickweed gel can be applied topically and has a pleasant, cooling effect that makes it good for use in hot weather. It can also be used to treat minor bug bites, rashes, or eczema.
7. Apple cider vinegar:
Apple cider vinegar can be used as a rinse for your dog’s paws that will take off some of the pollen and allergens that accumulate. It’s also effective for fighting some of the rashes and itch caused by yeast infections and can be used as a cleaner for your dog’s ears.
If you use it in a spray, you can spray it directly onto itchy areas for some relief. It should not, however, be used on open wounds or bites.
8. Coconut oil:
Coconut oil has many benefits for your dog, but it also contains lauric acid, which decreases yeast production. It contributes to healthy skin and reduces the allergic reaction to fleas.
When used in combination with fish oil in your dog’s diet, coconut oil can help suppress inflammatory responses that come with allergies.
The antiviral and antibacterial properties of coconut oil reduce itchiness in the skin and have added benefits like aiding digestion problems and boosting the immune system.
9. Chamomile tea :
Chamomile tea has disinfectant properties. It will kill bacteria and yeast on the dog’s itchy skin. It also provides a soothing effect on the skin and reduces inflammation. This remedy can be used for all types of allergies in dogs.
10. Lemon water :
Using lemon water as a dog allergy remedy has many benefits. In fact, the vitamin C found in the lemon will boost the healing process for your dog’s itchy skin. It will get rid of any unpleasant skin odors and also get rid of fleas, since fleas are repelled by the citrus smell.
11. Epsom salt:
Epsom salt will reduce any swelling caused by dog skin allergies. It will also speed up the healing process and treat your dog’s skin allergies efficiently.
Take 4 tsp of Epsom salt and add it to the warm bathwater.
Mix well and let your dog soak its body in the solution for 15 to 20 minutes.
Wash your dog with warm water and mild soap.
Rinse your dog well.
You can repeat this twice a day to reduce the swelling and get rid of dog allergies.
