Itchy Scratchy Dog!

Written by Karin Bull

Thursday, 27 August 2009 08:48

By Karin Bull, BioPaw - Canada's Natural Pet Store

Does your dog have allergies? There are lots of dogs out there suffering with allergies. You may or may not be aware as the symptoms can vary. Here are some symptoms to look for:

Scratching
Dry skin
Shaking
Excessive Grooming
Licking or biting at paws or other areas,
Excessive shedding or hair loss
Sneezing
Coughing
Runny eyes or nose
Loss of appetite
Diarrhea
Vomiting

As with any pet related medical issue, always consult a veterinarian if you suspect a problem.

If your dog is showing symptoms of allergies here’s a list of things to consider:

Check for fleas!
If the symptoms are new, what has changed? Has anything new been introduced? It could be seasonal allergies depending on the time of year.
Indoor environment; consider that your dog spends the most time on the floor (or the couch!). Do you use harsh cleaners, carpet powders, air fresheners, etc.? What has come into contact with the dog’s bed? Contact allergies will cause a skin irritation and itching at the point of contact. Clearing your environment of toxins will benefit you and your family as well as the dog. Choose natural and toxin-free cleaners and shampoos.
Outdoor environment. In the summer fertilizers, weed treatments and pesticides can be very harmful to pets and should be avoided. Seek out natural alternatives; they can be just as effective and eco-friendly. In the winter, ice-melters come in many varieties. Be sure to use one that is safe for pets but, better yet, there are varieties on the market that are made from natural minerals. What is used on the paths and roads along your daily walk? Consider dog boots to protect your dog’s paws from absorbing these hazards.
Your dog’s food. This is a huge topic. Dogs can develop allergies or food sensitivities at any point during their lives. My first recommendation is to make it as natural as possible. Some vets sell expensive ‘allergy-free formulas’ but there are many other options that are healthier. There are vast differences among pet owners as to what they are willing and able to do. Find what works for you.

If you are willing to change to a raw food diet, do it! Many dogs’ allergies have been eliminated by this natural approach to food. It is the closest to what a carnivore would eat in the wild and the raw enzymes assist the digestive system in breaking down the food. A raw diet can be achieved by making it yourself from fresh meats and a balanced supplement mix such as Better In The Raw or by purchasing one of the many frozen diets available at local pet food stores. Homemade allows you control over the quality of ingredients and the supplement mix provides the base of proper vitamins and minerals specifically formulated for dogs.

The next best thing to raw food is homemade cooked. Cooking fresh meats that are intended for human consumption will provide your dog with very high quality nutrients and, believe it or not, it is equal to, or less expensive than, premium/specialty dog foods. Make a big batch and freeze it into daily feeding portions for convenience. Allergies can be alleviated by homemade cooked or raw foods for some of the following reasons: Your dog may have been allergic to one or many of the ingredients in the processed food, or to preservatives or other agents used in packaging or processing that are not on the ingredient list, or increased nutrition has allowed your dog’s body to heal and tolerate environmental allergies better.

If you still want to feed a dry kibble or canned food, switch to one with a different protein source from the current one (i.e., current type is chicken, try duck). Choose an organic variety without grain. Carnivores do not produce enough of the digestive enzyme amylase that is required to breakdown grain and carbohydrates. Adding digestive enzymes to the food is also an option. In many cases allergies can be eliminated by removing grains from the diet.

Adding a simple food supplement to your dog’s food many provide relief. An allergic reaction causes inflammation in the body, so in looking for support, you want an anti-inflammatory. One of the most widely available is Omega 3 essential fatty acid which is a natural anti-inflammatory agent. It can be added to your dog’s food daily and in addition to helping allergies, can reduce shedding and ease stiffness associated with injury or arthritis. For canines the Omega 3 content from fish oil is more readily absorbed than from a plant source.

Herbs can also help the body deal with allergies. Herbal remedies are effective in strengthening the immune system and major ‘waste-disposal organs’ (liver, skin and kidney). Dried herbal blends are available to add to food as well as herbal tinctures that are easily absorbed. Topically, a natural ‘hot spot’ remedy can be applied to the area of irritation. Look for a product with aloe, vitamin E and essential oils for their healing properties.

Whichever change you make, do not expect overnight results. It can take up to 12 weeks to alleviate symptoms. It takes the body time to rid itself of the toxins that build up with allergies. Finding an option that works can be a long road of trial and error but, the newfound peace for you and your furry-faced friend will be well worth it.

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