Itchy skin, incessant licking, and ear infections are just some of the pesky symptoms dogs with allergies face. Zesty Paws Allergy Immune Bites and Apoquel are two popular options for providing allergy relief.
But how do these remedies compare? This guide examines the key differences between natural Zesty Paws Allergy Bites and prescription Apoquel to help you determine the best solution for your pup.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Zesty Paws Allergy Bites | Apoquel |
| Type | Natural supplement | Prescription drug |
| Key Ingredients | Omega oils, probiotics, antioxidants | Oclacitinib |
| Administration | Chewable soft bites | Tablets |
| Relief Onset | 2-4 weeks | 24 hours |
| Duration | Provide sustained relief | Relief while taking medication |
| Side Effects | Minimal | Possible vomiting, diarrhea, infections |
| Veterinary Approval | Not required | Requires vet prescription |
| Cost | $$ | $$$ |
Overview of Zesty Paws Allergy Immune Bites
Zesty Paws Allergy Immune Bites are a plant-based supplement formulated to provide dogs with relief from environmental and food allergies. Key features include:
- Blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from fish and flaxseed oil
- Prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes to support gut and immune health
- Antioxidants like vitamin E to reduce inflammation and support skin health
- Duck or peanut butter flavored soft chews dogs love
- Relief builds up over 2-4 weeks of use
- Veterinarian formulated in the USA
- Oven baked with natural ingredients and no artificial additives
- Can be safely used long-term
These natural bites aim to attack allergies through immune support and anti-inflammatory action without sedative effects. They provide a gentler, safer alternative to medication.
Overview of Apoquel
Apoquel is a fast-acting prescription medication that provides dogs relief from itching and inflammation caused by allergies and atopic dermatitis. Key aspects include:
- Contains oclacitinib which inhibits inflammatory cytokines
- Comes in 3.6 mg, 5.4 mg, and 16 mg tablet strengths
- Begins working within 4 to 24 hours to ease symptoms
- Requires vet approval and prescription
- Provides relief as long as dog is taking medication
- May cause side effects like vomiting, diarrhea, and infections
- More expensive than over-the-counter options
- Not suitable for long-term use due to immunosuppressant effects
For quick allergy symptom relief, Apoquel can provide fast, dramatic results. But its prescription-only status and potential side effects make it less than ideal for ongoing use.
Also Read: Comparison Between BluePearl And Animal Medical Center
Key Differences Between Zesty Paws Allergy Bites and Apoquel
Dogs, like humans, can suffer from allergies. When our furry friends get allergies, it can be distressing for both them and us. Thankfully, there are products like Zesty Paws Allergy Bites and Apoquel to help. But which one is right for your dog? Let’s dive deep into their differences.
1. Ingredients
Zesty Paws Allergy Immune Bites: These bites are like a natural buffet for your dog. They’re full of ingredients that nature provides. Think of omega oils, which are good fats that can help reduce skin issues and boost your dog’s shiny coat.
There are also probiotics. You might have heard of these when talking about yogurt. They’re good bacteria that can help with your dog’s gut.
Alongside these, these bites contain vitamins, which are essential for overall health, and antioxidants. Antioxidants are like tiny warriors fighting against harmful substances that can cause inflammation.
Apoquel: Apoquel is quite different. It doesn’t have all the natural ingredients that Zesty Paws has. Instead, it has a special ingredient called oclacitinib.
This is a powerful chemical designed to stop itching and inflammation in its tracks. However, it doesn’t target the root causes of allergies, like environment or food sensitivities.
2. Onset of Relief
How quickly do you want your dog to stop itching or having allergic reactions? That’s an important question when choosing a product.
Zesty Paws Bites: These take time. It’s not a quick fix. Imagine it like building a wall brick by brick. With consistent use, over 2-4 weeks, these bites strengthen your dog’s immune system and gut health, providing relief from allergies.
Apoquel: Apoquel is like a quick band-aid. Within just 4-24 hours, most dogs find relief from their symptoms. It works rapidly by stopping the body’s reactions that cause itchiness.
3. Duration of Relief
Zesty Paws Bites: These bites offer continuous support. As long as your dog keeps eating them every day, they’ll keep benefiting from the allergy support. It’s like taking daily vitamins.
Apoquel: The relief from Apoquel is temporary. If your dog stops taking the medication, the symptoms can come back. Think of it like using an umbrella; it stops the rain while you’re using it, but once you put it away, you’ll get wet if it’s still raining.
4. Side Effects
All medications and supplements can have side effects. But what can you expect from these two?
Zesty Paws Bites: These are generally mild. Because they’re natural, the risks are low. Some dogs might experience a bit of tummy upset, but this is uncommon.
Apoquel: Being a powerful medication, it can have stronger side effects. Some dogs might experience vomiting or diarrhea. Others could get yeast infections. And since it affects the immune system, it might make dogs more prone to catching other infections.
5. Veterinary Approval
Apoquel: This is a biggie for some pet owners. To get Apoquel, you’ll need to visit your vet. They’ll check your dog, decide if Apoquel is right, and then write a prescription. This process can add more costs to your bill.
Zesty Paws Bites: These are more straightforward. You can easily buy them without a prescription, much like buying treats or toys for your pet.
6. Administration Method
Giving dogs medication can sometimes be tricky, especially if they’re picky eaters.
Apoquel: These come in tablet form. Some dogs might turn up their noses at them or spit them out. You might have to get creative, like hiding them in food.
Zesty Paws Bites: These are designed to be tasty and chewy. Most dogs see them as a treat. This makes giving them their “medicine” a fun and easy task.
7. Cost
For many pet owners, cost is a concern. Taking care of a pet isn’t always cheap.
Apoquel: Being a prescription medication, it can be pricier in the long run. Each visit to the vet and each prescription refill can add up.
Zesty Paws Bites: These are typically more affordable. They provide relief without burning a hole in your wallet, making them a favorite for many pet owners.
8. Long Term Use
Apoquel: While effective, it’s not recommended for prolonged use. Over time, since it affects the immune system, it might not be the best option for long-term relief.
Zesty Paws Bites: These bites are designed for daily use. They’re safe and can be used for extended periods, providing ongoing support against allergies.
Both Zesty Paws Allergy Bites and Apoquel offer ways to help dogs with allergies. The choice between them depends on the pet owner’s preferences, the dog’s specific needs, and consultation with a vet.
Knowing these differences helps in making an informed choice for the furry member of your family.
Also Read: Differences Between Petco Vital Care And Banfield.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some good natural alternatives to Apoquel include omega-3 supplements to reduce inflammation, probiotics to support gut and immune health, soothing topical sprays with aloe vera, baths with colloidal oatmeal, and allergy shots to build immunity over time. Lifestyle changes like using air purifiers, washing bedding frequently, and avoiding triggers can also minimize allergy symptoms without medication.
Top natural alternatives to Apoquel include Zesty Paws Allergy Immune Bites with omega oils and probiotics, veterinarian formulated allergy chews by VetriScience, and Allerpet D for topical relief. These provide allergy relief through vitamins, gut support, anti-inflammatories and natural moisturizers instead of suppressing the immune system like Apoquel.
Yes, Zesty Paws Allergy Immune Bites provide effective relief for most dogs. The omega oils reduce itching and inflammation, probiotics support gastrointestinal health to improve allergy defense, and antioxidants like vitamin E protect skin. The bites are gently formulated and safe for long-term use. Owners typically see noticeable improvement in symptoms, scratching, and coat health after consistently giving the bites for 2-4 weeks.
Yes, Apoquel is highly effective at relieving skin allergy symptoms in dogs such as itchiness, redness, and irritated skin. It quickly blocks the inflammatory cytokines involved in allergic reactions. Most dogs experience dramatic relief from constant scratching and skin issues once Apoquel builds up in their system over the first few days of administration. However, Apoquel only provides relief while it is being given and has immunosuppressant risks with long-term use.
Also Read: Comaparison Between Small Paws and Small Bites
Final Thoughts
When it comes to safely and effectively relieving allergy misery in dogs, Zesty Paws Allergy Immune Bites are the better choice over prescription Apoquel for most pet owners.
Apoquel works faster, but the natural ingredients and gut support from plant-based bites provide sustained relief without the hassle of vet visits.
While Apoquel is powerful medicine, its side effects and inability to modify allergic responses makes it poorly suited for long-term allergy care. For both affordability and gentle, lasting relief, Zesty Paws Bites are a top solution.