Regardless of age, many dogs’ allergies are controlled by: improving the quality of their diet, giving them high potency acidophilus cultures and high doses of fish oils, adding freshly milled flax seed to their food, and in some cases, giving them antihistamines. Probiotics are relatively inexpensive, absolutely safe to use, and can save both dog and pet parent tons of grief - and visits to the vet - later in life. Though allergies are rarely cured, early identification and intervention can keep them under control, and in some cases, can substantially diminish them.Ī top veterinary dermatologist breaks down what works (and what doesn’t) for pet parents flustered by their dogs’ allergies.Ĭlinical research has shown that one important way to reduce the likelihood that dogs will develop allergies is to give them high-potency cultures of beneficial probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus bifidus when they are very young. In the worst cases, afflicted dogs require strong (and potentially toxic) pharmaceuticals just to get some relief. Whatever the cause, allergies are difficult to address. We are seeing significantly more cases of allergic dogs than we have in the past, and many veterinarians believe that we are experiencing an “allergy epidemic.” The reason is unclear, but some theories are the aggressive vaccination protocols that many dogs have been subjected to, poor breeding practices, and the feeding of processed pet foods. AllergiesĪnother common cause of itchy skin is allergies, which may make your dog’s skin dry, greasy, or slightly dry and oily it may be accompanied by frequent scratching, paw licking, or chewing. A healthy digestive system absorbs fluids more readily from the food your dog eats, which improves hydration and increases moisture levels in the skin and coat. Probiotics also help with allergies (as noted below). (In fact, digestive enzymes are good to use with any type of food.) Enzymes improve the release of nutrients, and beneficial probiotic bacteria also assist in the digestive process. If you feed your dog dry foods, be sure to add digestive enzymes. They also stimulate increased thirst, which only partially compensates for the drying nature of these diets. Dry pet foods have an even more dehydrating effect on skin and hair. Commercial pet foods process out the good oils that contribute to healthy skin and a lustrous haircoat. Spoiler: They’re probably already in your pantry.ĭry skin can be influenced not only by environmental factors, but also by diet. The slightest stimulation of the skin - including your gentlest touch - can provoke your dog to scratch violently.ģ Natural Remedies for Your Dog’s Dry Winter Skin If you live in a region with low humidity, it’s more likely that your dog will have dry skin, which is fairly easy to recognize: When you part your dog’s hair, you’ll see flakes of dandruff in the undercoat, and the skin itself may be cracked and tough. If your dog is itching, and they don’t have fleas one common cause of itching is dry skin. The second major cause of pruritus is allergies. The first has to do with the condition of the skin itself: Is it infected? Is it too oily? Is it too dry? Of these three, dry skin is the most common issue. The causes of pruritus can be quite complex, but there are two main reasons why dogs itch. The medical term for scratching related to excessive itching is pruritus, and it’s the second most common reason people take their dogs to the vet (gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea top the list). Keep reading to learn why your dog is so itchy, plus what you can do to soothe their irritated skin. But when a dog is incessantly licking, scratching, biting, and chewing to the point of hurting themself, then scratching becomes a symptom of an underlying issue. Every dog’s gotta scratch from time to time - and that’s completely normal. In addition to seeing your dog scratching a lot, you might notice their fur looks dry and a bit dandruffy, or they might seem to be shedding more than usual.īut why exactly is your dog so itchy? Dogs itch for many different reasons, and sometimes for no reason. Your dog probably isn’t stopping to itch just so they can ignore you when you tell them to “come” or “sit.” There is a chance this is exactly what they are doing, but most likely, your dog actually has itchy skin. See our privacy statement to find out how we collect and use your data, to contact us with privacy questions or to exercise your personal data rights.
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