Suppressing Isn’t Solving: Why It’s Time to Rethink Apoquel & Cytopoint

Itching is one of the most common — and misunderstood — issues in dogs today. If your dog has been prescribed Apoquel or Cytopoint, I understand the desperation. When your dog is tearing themselves apart, covered in sores, or reacting to everything under the sun, you'll do anything to help them feel better.

But here's the truth: these drugs don’t heal.

They suppress symptoms by shutting down the immune system, and that comes at a cost. Sometimes they can buy you time — but don’t let them become the end of the road. Use that window to dig deeper and figure out why your dog is inflamed in the first place.

Because here’s the thing: They were never meant to be the long-term solution.

Why Suppressing Isn’t Solving

These drugs suppress critical parts of the immune system — the very system that protects your dog from infection, regulates inflammation, and even guards against cancer. When that system is shut down for too long, your dog may stop reacting to allergens on the outside, but the body becomes more vulnerable on the inside.

That’s why we see so many dogs who’ve been on these drugs for years begin to experience strange infections, new sensitivities, or worse — tumors. It’s heartbreaking. And often, it starts because someone was told, “This is your only option.”

But it’s not. Not even close.

There is a better way — one that supports your dog’s whole system, not just masks their symptoms.

You Don’t Need to Feel Guilty

If you’ve given your dog an injection or used medication because they were suffering — please don’t feel ashamed. I’ve done it too. When your dog is losing quality of life, it’s OK to step in and bring them relief.

But relief should come with a plan. Not a resignation.

If we stop at the meds and don’t dig deeper, we’re just buying time before bigger problems — like autoimmune disease or even cancer — start stacking up.

Supporting your dog’s health isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about staying curious and committed to the why behind their symptoms — not just silencing them.

There Is Another Way

I’m not saying these drugs should never be used. Sometimes a dog is in crisis and needs fast relief. But they should be used like a Band-Aid — something temporary while you build a plan. Not something your dog lives on for life.

What I want you to know is that there are so many other things we can do to support your dog’s health in a way that actually strengthens the body, instead of shutting it down.

Every dog is different, and every path to healing looks a little different too — so no, I can’t give you a one-size-fits-all protocol in a blog post. But I can tell you this:

If you feed a fresh food diet and remove ultra-processed kibble that loads the body with toxins…
If you reduce exposure to unnecessary chemicals, drugs, and vaccines that continue to stress the immune system…
If you support the gut microbiome, the skin microbiome, and immune function with real, nourishing tools…

…then the body has a chance to come back into balance.

It’s Not Easy — But It’s Worth It

Yes, it takes time. Yes, it’s a commitment. And yes, sometimes it looks worse before it looks better.

But there is so much power in understanding the root cause of your dog’s symptoms, creating a seasonal or long-term plan, and knowing what to expect — and how to respond — when the itching starts again. You begin to anticipate it. You prepare early. You get ahead of it. And suddenly you’re not scrambling or panicking or reaching for the drug again because you feel like you have no choice.

That’s the cycle I want to help you break. Because I’ve been there too. And I know how heavy and helpless it can feel when nothing seems to work and your dog is suffering.

But I also know this:
There is a way forward.

It takes time. It takes intention. And it takes supporting your dog right where they are, not where you wish they were.

You’re Not Alone

If you’re reading this, I want you to know you’re not crazy for wanting better for your dog. You’re not overreacting. You’re not “doing too much.” You’re being their advocate. You’re asking the hard questions. And that matters.

There is hope. There is healing. And there are other options.
If you’re ready to explore them, I’d love to help.

Healing takes work — but your dog is worth it.
And so are you.