Prednisone for Dogs : Natural Alternatives

Natural Alternatives to Prednisone

Depending on the condition, there may be alternatives to using prednisone for dogs. Generally speaking the conditions associated with use of prednisone have to do with an increase in an inflammatory response. Below are some basic steps you can try to improve your dog's health and reduce the need for prednisone perhaps altogether. Make sure to consult with your vet before taking your dog off prednisone.

prednisone for dogs alternatives

Summary of Diet Recommendations

Raw & Grain Free Diet
Target a diet that eliminates ingredients that lead to food allergies. Dogs just aren't equipped to digest grains, and raw food is simply superior over a processed diet. Feeding a raw & grain free dog food will help streamline your dog's health by avoiding food irritants to your dog's body.

Omega-3 from Fish Oil
A pure omega-3 fish oil, like Celavin®, provides essential fatty acids which can help reduce inflammation and is known to 'insulate' the cells in the body.† Celavin™ contains 2x more omega-3 fatty acids than wild salmon oils and is infinitely more pure.

Antioxidants, Vitamins and Flavonoids 
Spectrin™ Chews for dogs contains anti-oxidant compounds, such as, beta-carotene, bioflavonoids, vitamins C and E, selenium, and sulfur-containing amino acids, which are needed to protect the body from the tremendous increase in free radicals that takes place during an inflammatory process.

The Miracle Pack™
A probiotic and enzyme combination is an absolute must for any dog. Probiotics combat gastrointestinal disorders which is a side effect of prednisone. Larger doses of Probiotic Miracle® may be in order during and after prednisone therapy. Digestive enzymes, like Enzyme Miracle®, can help reduce the inflammatory response induced from digestion, as well as prevent metabolic enzymes from being robbed from critical body functions.

What is Prednisone?

Prednisone is a corticosteroid that is used often as an immunosuppressant drug in the treatment of a number of dog illnesses. This makes prednisone an effective treatment option for autoimmune diseases, which are caused by an overactive immune system attacking different organs in the body.

USES

In spite of the many uses of prednisone for dogs to treat various canine illnesses, excessive use of prednisone for dogs can cause side effects, ranging from mild to severe.

Prednisone for Dogs Side Effects

Like all drugs, the benefits of prednisone are generally accompanied by side effects and should not be considered as a long term solution to your dog's problem or symptom. It is important to know the facts about prednisone if you are giving it currently, or thinking about giving prednisone to your dog.

With dog food it can be hard to distill down to the actual allergen as it may only be a particular ingredient, so you may want to look for options in dog foods that are designed for low allergy potential. Here are some other steps to take nutritionally that will be sure to help.

Read: Prednisone for Dogs: Dealing with the Side Effects

List of Side Effects

  • Excessive Thirst and Hunger
  • Gastrointestinal Disorders:
    Diarrhea, vomiting, stomach ulcers, and general gastrointestinal discomfort
  • Joint Inflammation
  • Eye Diseases: poor eyesight, glaucoma, and cataracts
  • Muscle Wasting and Fatigue
  • Behavioral Changes
  • Skin and Hair Coat Problems
  • Diabetes
  • Canine Cushing's Disease

Dealing with Prednisone Side Effects

  • Reduce Duration:
    Short-term use of prednisone is preferred if possible.
  • Use Natural Supplements:
    Key supplements, such as, probiotics and pure fish oil, may be used to ameliorate or improve some of the lesser side effects of prednisone, like, gastrointestinal disorders or inflammation.
  • Support Skin & Coat Side Effects: 
    Use fish oil and skin and coat formulas that provide an array of vitamins, minerals, and key amino acids.