Helping The Dog With Skin Problems
The 3 best products to help resolve your dog’s skin problems,,, naturally.
I woke up in the middle of the night worrying about Baxter, a dog suffering with such extreme allergies and skin problems that his desperate owner had called to ask if there were any natural remedies that might help her unhappy dog.
“He is so miserable and my vet has tried everything, steroids, Apoquel, prescription diets, medicated baths but nothing has helped. He’s constantly scratching and licking, my poor dog, his paws are raw and completely bald, do you have anything we can try?”
One of the hardest issues to help you dog with are skin problems that have progressed to the point where your pet is almost beyond help. I knew I could point this lady in the right direction but I also knew she’d already spent a small fortune trying to help her pet and only loaded his system with chemicals that only increased his downhill slide.
“I’m so worried, Baxter is miserable, he’s up all night we hear him in his crate whining and licking himself, nothing the vet has us doing is helping. We have had him on this prescription diet for 3 months and if anything he’s worse. His doctor wants to put him back on the steroid injections but I’m worried, Baxter has gained so much weight from the cortisone, I know it can’t be good for him but I’m desperate”.
While she talked I Googled the prescription diet she was feeding her pet, the ingredient list was appalling; “Brewers Rice, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Chicken Fat, Natural Flavors, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Vegetable Oil, Sodium Silico Aluminate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Calcium Sulfate,,,” .
So what causes skin problems in dogs?
Sadly, dogs with skin problems like Baxter’s are far too common, in fact, the number one reason you’ll visit the vet is to deal with your dog’s skin and coat issues such as hotspots and excessive scratching and chewing. If she doesn’t have issues now but has these common lifestyle stressors she probably will soon enough.
Food allergies. Check your dog’s food for corn. Corn is often the culprit behind food allergies and the skin problems that plague dogs that are fed a diet containing it. I go back and forth on dog food brands, if you are looking for a good kibble (are there any really?) check the Dog Food Advisor site. You can not only search for their current picks by category of the best dog food on the market, you can also check the brand you’re currently using to see how really dire (or good) it is.
Chicken can be the allergen for many dogs because of the processing and low quality mysterious chicken by-products found in many bargain brand dry dog foods.
Monthly flea and tick control drops and chews. Whose side effects not surprisingly include skin irritation and itching (as well as respiratory distress!). For example our poor Baxter was getting a monthly dose of Revolution. One would think his veterinarian might have at least considered with the topical flea product he was administering before jumping to injections and pharmaceuticals like Apoquel in treating the symptoms of this hapless pet.
Seasonal allergies and dust mites. Keeping your dog clean is imperative if you want to help alleviate allergy symptoms. You dog goes outdoors, he rolls in the grass or walks across the yard that your lawn guy just sprayed with who knows what, you can use a quality shampoo weekly to help keep surface allergens from triggering a response.
Are you using the wrong shampoo on your dog? Dog's are surprisingly sensitive when it comes to their skin. Using people shampoo or worse still, dish detergent on your good dog will strip the delicate protective layer of oils on the surface of his skin and quickly open the door to dermatitis and a host of other problems. Even some medicated oatmeal shampoos can be very harsh if they contain Tea Tree Oil.
Are fleas and flea bite dermatitis the problem? It only takes the bite of one flea to set some poor dogs off into a digging & chewing frenzy. Worse still, even when you've eliminated the fleas on your pet (naturally PLEASE, (Wondercide has some great products to use to repel fleas when combined with our own Natural Flea Remedy as an internal natural repellent) he can continue to feel the effects set in place by his sensitivity to the saliva of that first wretched flea. There are other avenues of relief to your suffering pet besides cortisone but the first order of business is to eliminate those bites in the first place and thus stop the cascade before it can begin.
Not enough healthy fat or EFA's in the diet. Check your dog's coat, is it shiny or dull and lifeless? Often the addition of quality sources of EFA's (essential fatty acids) can go a long way in helping repair damaged coat and help restore luster to those canine locks (just in case you are one of those unfortunate owners who've been using Dawn to wash your poor dog).
Healthy skin starts in the gut
A daily probiotic can work quickly to help your dog fight allergies from the inside where a healthy population of good bacteria will keep harmful bacteria and pathogens at bay. Allow 60 days for full benefit. Dogs that suffer with yeast, chronic skin irritation, digging, chewing and licking can benefit from probiotics when nothing else has resolved their issues.
CBD For Dog’s Healthy Coat
Numerous studies show exciting results for dogs with chronic skin issues by the addition of a quality CBD product. Low-grade oils abound but RoxyPets is an organic oil ethically produced in the USA Delicious naturally sourced chicken flavor, pets love their daily dose of EPA rich oil!
Top Selling Allergy Supplement
Pet parents are raving about my third pick product for helping your dog with skin problems find relief. Zesty Paws includes Colostrum, a pre-milk liquid that supports allergies, immune function, and digestion, along with Apple Cider Vinegar and Organic Licorice Extract, a unique blend that has helped many dogs with serious skin and coat issues get better.
