Category: Itchy Skin & Allergies

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Food Itchy Skin & Allergies

My Dog Has Itchy Skin, Could Diet Be The Answer?

Stop Scratching!!

Imagine the scene – you’re curled up on the couch, watching your favorite television show, and your dog climbs up on your lap for a cuddle. Mmm, nice – until he starts biting at his back and scratching at his ears. The fidgeting is so annoying, and the chewing so noisy that you may as well give up on seeing your show.

When your dog is itchy, the constant scratching and biting at his skin is distressing for both of you. It’s not fun to see your best friend so uncomfortable.

Your dog may have an allergy. In people, allergies usually cause sneezes and runny eyes. This can also be the case in dogs, but it’s much more common that his allergy causes red and itchy skin.

No doubt you’ve heard of flea allergy – it’s by far the most common allergy in dogs. Why then does your dog still scratch and itch, when you’re using a gentle and effective flea control product, such as Flea the Scene ?

The culprit may be what’s in his dinner bowl. Recent studies have shown that up to 20% of itchy dogs have a food allergy. Another 20% on top of that have a food allergy combined with another allergy, such as flea allergy.

He Eats Only The Best!

Dogs can react to any protein or any carbohydrate in their food, but they are most commonly allergic to beef, dairy or wheat. Whether he’s eating a gourmet diet or a bargain basement dog food, if it contains an ingredient that he’s allergic to, he’ll scratch.

The other important thing to keep in mind is that allergies don’t occur when you change your dog’s diet. Food allergies don’t develop suddenly. He will have been eating the same food for a long time with no problems, then bang! The itching starts.

Most dog foods contain similar combinations of meat protein and carbohydrates, so changing brands of food isn’t likely to help. He will still be eating the same proteins and the same carbohydrates, so he’ll still be itchy.

How do you know if your dog has a food allergy? There’s no blood test to tell if it’s his diet that’s causing the problem, but there are some features of food allergies that can give you a hint.

Most food allergies start to rear their ugly heads when your dog is a young adult. It’s not worse at certain times of the year, as you’d expect from a flea allergy, or an allergy to dusts and pollens.

Your vet may have prescribed some corticosteroids to relieve your dog’s itch. In a lot of cases, food allergies don’t respond very well to this treatment, and your dog may still chew, scratch and rub.

If any of these are starting to sound familiar, it’s time to seriously consider checking your dog for food allergy.

Getting To The Bottom Of The Problem

Let’s start by saying that diagnosing a food allergy in a dog takes a huge amount of commitment from his owner. We’ve already mentioned that a dog becomes allergic to a food he’s been eating for years. So, the only accurate way of diagnosing food allergy is to feed him something he’s never had before.

Your first job is to rule out any other causes of itchy skin . Make sure your flea control is good: Flea the Scene is a safe and gentle flea control that won’t cause irritation to traumatized skin. Often skin that is red and itchy can develop a secondary bacterial infection, which is also very itchy. Your vet may suggest a course of antibiotics to help with this.

Next, choose one protein source, and one carbohydrate source that your dog has never eaten before. It’s easiest to use a commercially available diet like those from the Honest Kitchen which contain low allergy foods such as potato, venison or salmon. If you make it as convenient as possible, you’re more likely to stick to the program.

Here’s the hard part – your dog must eat this food, and only this food, for at least 10 weeks. No other food, no treats, no table scraps. If you feed a monthly beefy chew for heartworm prevention, you’ll have to find an alternative. If your dog wanders to the neighbor’s place for snacks, you’ll have to put a stop to that too. You need to control everything that goes into your dog’s mouth. Vets have suggested that less than 20% of dog owners folllow through on a food trail.You can see where the commitment is needed!

While you’re going through this lengthy process, you can help to control the irritation by being careful about what you use for bathing him. Comfy Dog shampoo contains oatmeal and herbs to gently soothe his skin and stop the itch. If there are one or two areas on his body that are specifically irritated, try some Itchin’ For Relief . It has a nozzle that allows you to apply the soothing formula directly to a hot spot, and its all natural ingredients will stop inflammation fast.

When The Scratching Stops

If your dog stops itching and scratching while he’s on the low allergy diet, that’s fantastic. However, there’s one more step to take, to be sure it’s the diet that’s the problem. You need to feed your dog his old diet, to see if he starts scratching again.

Why on earth would you want to do that? Maybe he’s stopped itching because the seasons have changed and the pollens have gone, or maybe the flea numbers have dropped. You need to rule out any coincidental factors that could have eased his itching.

If you feed him his old diet, and he starts scratching again, you can be pretty sure it’s a food allergy. Most dogs will start scratching again a day or two after eating a food he’s allergic to, but some can take up to two weeks to show any signs.

Heading For The Future

There are no cures for allergies. The best that you and your vet can do is control the symptoms, and manage the condition to keep your dog as comfortable as possible.

If you’ve confirmed your dog has a food allergy, and you’re managing it with a prescription diet, you can then start looking at increasing the range of foods or treats you can give your dog. Again, this takes time and commitment.

Choose one food or treat at a time, and give it to your dog for up to two weeks. If he starts scratching, it gets added to the banned list. If he doesn’t, then it will be okay to feed him that. By doing this, you can build up a list of safe foods for your dog.

Food allergies are a common cause of itchy skin in dogs, but they can be well managed. If you take the time to find out what your dog is allergic to, and remove it from his diet, you can control his itch safely, effectively and without needing to use drugs. Isn’t that worth the effort?

Categories
Flea Treatments Itchy Skin & Allergies

What's Worse, the Fleas or the Chemicals to Kill the Fleas?

Flea Control in the News

What’s a dog to do? The itching . The misery. The fleas! But there are so many options. Your dog can’t really tell you which one he prefers. How can you safely fight fleas?

Pyrethrins not so safe

The Environmental Protection Agency is taking a close look at all kinds of flea and tick control products. The EPA has been reviewing the safety of pyrethroid-based flea products for some time. They ordered some of these products to be phased out and insisted on new labeling for other products. Pyrethrins are the active ingredient in many over-the-counter flea and tick products. They affect the nervous system of the pests on your dog. They may not be as safe as previously thought.

Taking another look

Now there is news that the EPA is also taking a new look at spot-on pesticide treatments, sprays, collars and shampoos. This includes Frontline, Frontline Plus, Advantage, Revolution and other popular topical treatments. Frontline contains fipronil; Advantage contains imidacloprid; and Revolution contains selamectin.

These products have been thought to be safer than the flea control products containing pyrethrins. Topical flea products are generally applied between the shoulders or along the back, in an area where the dog can’t reach to lick the product off. These products are also either absorbed into the skin or into the hair follicles. Again, this means that the dog can’t lick the product off. The active ingredient continues to work for several weeks.

The new EPA notice indicated that they had seen a “recent sharp increase” in reported adverse reactions. Some of the reactions were mild skin irritations but there were also reports of seizures and deaths. One expert indicated that the EPA may be most concerned about less expensive topical flea treatments sold over-the-counter in retail stores and not with products such as Frontline and Advantage, which are usually sold through veterinarians.

This doesn’t mean that you should stop using Frontline and Advantage. If you live in an area where fleas are a serious problem you have to weigh the pros and cons of the various flea treatments, or of letting your dog go untreated for fleas. The chances of your dog having an adverse reaction to a topical flea treatment, especially Frontline, Advantage or another product sold by your vet, are still very small.

All-natural alternatives

If you live in an area where fleas aren’t bad you may want to try an all-natural approach to flea prevention. Try some of these alternatives:

  • An herbal flea collar can help keep fleas away. Remember to wash your hands after handling it because it will likely contain herbs that you shouldn’t ingest.

  • Flea the Scene contains natural ingredients that repel fleas and soothe the skin. It has emollients to moisturize the skin and sunscreen to provide some protection from the sun. This is perfect if you need something to protect your dog when you’re headed to the dog park or the beach. It’s safe for humans, too.
  • Cedar mulch around your house and plants will help keep fleas away.
  • Some people recommend adding garlic and brewer’s yeast to their pet’s diet. Other people think that garlic can contribute to problems with anemia in dogs. Use your best judgment.
  • Add a tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar to your dog’s water or food each day. Apple cider vinegar is good for all kinds of things and it helps the immune system, too. It seems to make the skin less inviting to fleas.

If you live in an area where fleas are bad each year you don’t have to give up using Frontline or Advantage. The EPA has not said that they are dangerous to use. But it never hurts to look for natural solutions when they will work instead.

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Itchy Skin & Allergies

A dog's poor immune system can lead to itchy skin & coat problems

by Carlotta Cooper

It’s not safe out there!

Good health can be very hard to maintain in today’s world. For both humans and dogs, our bodies are constantly under stress from pollutants in the atmosphere and toxins in the food we eat, the water we drink and everything around us.

What’s for dinner?

If you feed your dog kibble then you have no control over the ingredients in the food. Manufacturers may use cheap ingredients as long as they technically meet the government’s requirements. Even if you buy holistic or organic kibble there can be some ingredients that may not be good for your dog. Fish meal, for instance, must, by law, be preserved with the toxic preservative ethoxyquin, the same ingredient used in making tires.

If you cook at home for your dog or feed your dog a raw diet, then you can have much more control over what he eats. But these diets, too, have some drawbacks. Creating a nutritionally balanced diet for your dog by yourself is one of the biggest concerns. There are also concerns about e. coli, salmonella and other bacteria when you work with these foods yourself.

What’s up doc?

Some people also believe that we are over-vaccinating our dogs today. Perhaps we are introducing too many toxins directly into their system by some annual vaccinations that dogs may not need. Studies are being done to find out if dogs can get by with fewer vaccinations.

As a result of all of this exposure to toxins, dogs today can often have poor immune systems or they can have skin and coat problems. Fortunately, there are some good ways to improve your dog’s skin and coat. Make sure you’re feeding the best quality food that you can like that from The Honest Kitchen . Avoid ingredients that you know are not good for your dog. Talk to your vet and limit vaccinations to the minimum. It’s best not to get all of your dog’s vaccinations at one time. If your dog must get several vaccinations then space them out.

An all-natural detoxifier

To improve your dog’s skin and coat we recommend Healthy Skin Shiny Coat , an all-natural detoxifier. Healthy Skin Shiny Coat works by helping your dog’s liver, kidneys and lymphatic system eliminate toxins from his body. It can help relieve itchy skin and restore luster to a dull coat because it removes the toxins from your dog’s body.

Remember that dogs can’t perspire the way that we do. They don’t sweat. They can only pant and cool themselves through their paw pads. It’s harder for them to get rid of the toxins that build up in their bodies. When they do build up toxins in their bodies it’s often shown in their skin and coat. Your dog may itch and scratch and be miserable. That’s when you need to help him get rid of the toxins.

Healthy Skin Shiny Coat is easy to use. You just put a few drops in his mouth or on a treat, or even in his water and it begins to work. Over time the formula works by removing toxins. Your dog will stop itching and you will see a general improvement in his skin and coat.

Itchin’ to feel better

If your dog does have skin and coat problems you should also work on the outside to make him feel better. Itchin’ For Relief is an all-natural anti-itch spray. It contains Neem, Oat Extract and Aloe, along with other ingredients, to help soothe your dog’s itchy skin. You can also try products that are oatmeal-based.  Colloidal oatmeal helps to soothe dog’s dry itchy skin and also provides temporary relief from insects and poisonous plants. Click here to learn more about the benefits of colloidal oatmeal .

Healthy and Shiny again

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you need to limit and remove the toxins from your dog’s body. Provide your dog with a healthy diet paying close attention to the ingredients; limit vaccinations to the essentials; try to remove the toxins from your dog’s body; and use good products on your dog’s skin and coat to reduce skin and coat problems. If you follow these tips then your dog will soon have fewer toxins in his system and his skin and coat will be looking healthy and shiny again.

Categories
Anxiety & Nervousness Itchy Skin & Allergies

Are Flower Essences Good For My Dog?

Flower Essence Essentials

One of my dogs, Beau, has a terrible fear of thunderstorms and fireworks. I don’t know why he’s scared of them. He wasn’t scared when he was a puppy and my other dogs aren’t afraid. But, as he’s gotten older he’s become more and more spooked by loud noises associated with storms and fireworks. One loud BOOM and he comes running to me and wants to climb up in my lap. You should probably know that Beau weighs almost 100 pounds, so when he tries to get in your lap, you know it! I feel so sorry for him.

We’ve tried different things to help Beau including flower essences such as rescue remedy. When we give Beau a few drops of one of the flower essences he’s able to calm down and relax enough to get through his fear until the storm passes or the fireworks are over. Sometimes he’ll relax enough to take a nap.

You may have heard of flower essences — you may have even used one for yourself or your dog — but most people don’t really know what they are or how they work they’re just happy because for many, they work.

What are flower essences?

Flower essences are the diluted essences of various types of flowers and plants. They’re often used in homeopathy and are a little similar to herbal remedies but there are some major differences.

When were flower essences invented?

Dr. Edward Bach, a famed British physician, first developed flower essences in the 1930s. He gave his name to his 38 Bach Flower Remedies.

How do flower essences work?

Dr. Bach believed that illness of the mind and body was the result of imbalances in the spirit. Flower essences work holistically to heal and repair these imbalances.

Flowers are gathered at the right time, immersed in water and exposed to sunlight or moonlight in order to infuse the water with their essence. Then the water is added to a substance such as glycerin so it can be bottled.

Dr. Bach identified flower essences to calm anger, ease anxiety (and fears, such as thunderstorm phobias), and give confidence, among other things. Today there are many more than the original 38 flower essences thanks to other people who have continued Dr. Bach’s research.

Should you give flower essences to your dog?

By all means, yes. Animals seem to respond just as well to the effects of flower essences as people do. They have many of the same kinds of emotional imbalances as people — anger, anxiety, fear — and can benefit just as much from the use of flower essences.

There are no side effects from using flower essences. There are no actual plant extracts or materials in a flower essence remedy so there is nothing to ingest that would interfere with other medication or cause you harm. If you take the wrong flower essence you won’t see any effects at all. When you or your pet take the correct flower essence you will see a subtle, gentle improvement in your condition.

Flower essences work holistically. They bring healing to the spirit so your body and mind can heal and they do the same for your pets.

How do you use flower essences?

Flower essences are very easy to use. You can give them to your pet with a dropper or by spraying them. You can put several drops (it doesn’t take many) in your pet’s mouth or put a few drops on a treat or in your pet’s food or water. You can also spray it on your pet’s paws where he will lick it off, or put a couple of drops on your finger and apply it to his gums or inside his ears, where it will be easily absorbed.

Which flower essences should I use for my dog?

Choosing the right flower essence depends on your dog’s problem. Is he anxious? Is he fearful because of things that have happened in the past? Is he in shock? There are many good flower essences for treating different kinds of fear and anxiety as well as the general purpose rescue remedy. Rescue remedy has helped many dogs overcome fear and anxiety. However, when you can blend flower essences with herbal extracts, you’ll achieve a synergy making the combination stronger. One such example is  Sleepytime Tonic .

Sleepytime Tonic

Sleepytime Tonic is a Bach Flower-based remedy but it also contains an herbal formulation created by Robert McDowell, the world’s leading authority on applying Western herbal medicines to canine health problems. The formulation in Sleepytime Tonic combines herbs and homeopathic medicine so that the metabolic and nervous system imbalances are all addressed together. The flower essences and the herbal mix work together synergistically to help your dog’s anxiety.

According to McDowell, “The herbal mixes are not toxic in any way, are free from side effects and are simple and safe to administer at home.”

And, Sleepytime Tonic works in just 20 minutes to calm your dog. It’s a wonderful herbal elixir for dogs who have problems with travel or who are anxious about trips to the vet or fireworks and thunderstorms.

Healthy Skin Shiny Coat

You can use another flower essence-based remedy to detoxify your dog’s system and save him from itchy skin.

Healthy Skin Shiny Coat is an all-natural detoxifier that works with your dog’s liver, kidneys and lymphatic system to eliminate toxins.

If your dog has a dull coat or itchy skin it’s often because his body has an accumulation of toxins. This can be from dog foods or other sources. Anti-itch shampoos and conditioners (and changing dog foods) are helpful, but Healthy Skin Shiny coat is a great way to help remove the toxins from your dog’s body.

After giving your dog Healthy Skin Shiny Coat for a little while you will see a reduction in skin problems, less itching and a general improvement in your dog’s overall health.

The holistic approach

Flower essences are a safe and effective way to address many of your dog’s problems, from behavioral issues to anxiety and itching skin. Naturally you should consult with your veterinarian for any acute or ongoing health problems. But, for problems that can be treated holistically, flower essences and herbal mixes such as Sleepytime Tonic and Healthy Skin Shiny Coat can do wonders.

Categories
Flea Treatments Itchy Skin & Allergies

Can I Wash my Dog If He's on Frontline or K9 Advantix?

You’ve just given Rex his monthly flea and tick treatment, and now he’s come in from the garden looking like he’s found the biggest and best mud pool in town. He may be overjoyed but you’re not. He needs a bath NOW! But will a bath wash away his flea treatment?
It’s a common question and given the expense of monthly applications of Frontline or Advantage, you don’t want to apply any more than is necessary. So what should you do?
According to the manufacturers’ instructions, you should wait for 48 hours after applying Frontline or Advantage before bathing your dog. The main ingredient in Frontline, fipronil, stores itself in the dog’s oil glands, reapplying itself constantly through the hair follicles. Meanwhile, Advantage’s main ingredient is imidacloprid, which coats the skin.
Although both claim to be waterproof, some dog owners have found that the treatments do seem to be less effective after bathing. Regular washing with medicated or flea shampoos can dry the skin, making flea treatments weaker and less likely to work. There’s also the problem that many commercial flea shampoos contain harsh chemicals. Do you really want to apply those on top of the regular monthly treatment? One alternative is to use a natural shampoo after flea treatment applications; a gentle shampoo (like Comfy Dog Oatmeal Shampoo) can help moisturize the skin while cleansing.
Or perhaps you want to consider a switch from chemical flea and tick treatments to something more earth friendly. Most natural products can be used on their own, or as a complement to Frontline and Advantage.

Some natural alternatives to try include:

    • Garlic and brewer’s yeast tablets. Added to your dog’s food, or given as a daily treat, these are full of nutrients to help improve your dog’s skin and coat, plus you have the added bonus of repelling fleas and ticks. The scent of the garlic and yeast is secreted through the skin, keeping those pesky bugs away.
  • Some essential oils are great at repelling fleas. Since essential oils can cause irritation when applied directly to the skin, I prefer to add a few dabs to my dog’s collar, or add a few drops to a small spray bottle of water and apply a few squirts over their coat. Cedar, lavender, citronella, and rosemary oils all work well and have helped keep my pets tick free.
  • Flea the Scene offers the best of all things: essential oils that both repel fleas and soothe the skin, a range of emollients to moisturize the skin, and a sunscreen to offer protection from the rays. It can be used with or instead of a medical flea and tick application. What’s more, it’s safe for humans too so I can simply give us all a quick spray before we head off to the park. No bugs, no sunburn, and we all smell great!


Categories
Itchy Skin & Allergies

Is Your Dog Addicted to Scratching?

Your Dog’s Constant Scratching Could be a Habit

I have two dogs that both eat a healthy no grain, raw diet. One is a constant scratcher, the other rarely scratches.

Brie, the itchy dog, is a Westie mix. True, this breed is notorious for their itchy skin but with many dogs what starts out as a real problem, develops into a habit even after the underlying cause is cured.

We discovered that Brie had sand fleas. We live at the beach and she plays on the sand every single day. Since we wash her at least twice a week and were well past flea season, we didn’t suspect fleas were the cause of her distress. Once we found out what the problem was, we treated her immediately with a whole host of remedies until every last flea was gone.

Weeks went by and she was still scratching. We double checked and there were no fleas. But she scratched with determination and could hardly walk down the street without stopping for a scratch. She would even wake us up at night with the sounds of her biting, licking and scratching. Finally she started to develop actual lesions from the constant scratching, which only made her want to scratch those areas more.

It seemed to be a never-ending cycle until I noticed that Brie seemed to forget about her discomfort when she was playing, eating or chewing on a bone. Distraction seemed to be an excellent method- so we gave her a full schedule of bone chewing, game playing and toys to occupy her time.

Restraint is also another tool we used. You could try an e-collar (if you do look up Comfy Cones for a softer alternative) but what I did is purchase a a soft pair of inexpensive booties ($5.99) so that if she did scratch her paws wouldn’t have direct contact with her skin.

In addition, when she woke up at night and started scratching, I gave her Sleepytime Tonic , an all natural herbal blend that helps to calm dogs. This relaxed her enough so that she forgot about the itch and went back to sleep.

Amazing! Between her full agenda of bones and bully sticks, Sleepytime Tonic and her booties, scratching levels are down to a few times a day!

Categories
Itchy Skin & Allergies Shampoo

Flea Season is Over! Why is My Dog Still Itchy?


Flea Season’s Over! Why is My Dog Still Itchy?

As we head into the cooler months (it’s actually quite cold in many places already) we can finally rest knowing that flea season is finally over – right? Unfortunately, for many pups out there, the itchy skin they’ve suffered from during flea season only continues at the same itchy level past flea season. Why can’t these poor dogs get any relief?

There are numerous reasons that dogs continue to have itchy skin past flea season . From a poor diet to other health conditions such as allergies, many dogs will continue to suffer from skin ailments throughout the year. Many dogs also suffer skin allergies that cause them to scratch and itch all of the time. There are a variety of irritants that can cause a dog to itch including mold, food allergies and even skin infections. Some dogs will itch excessively due to stress as well. However, one reason that many people simply don’t realize is that their dog might just have plain and simple dry skin!

It really makes perfect sense when you think about it. As the days get colder, does the water in your daily shower get hotter? I know I begin cranking up the heat when it gets cold outside. The same is true for my house as well. I’m a cold natured person, so the heater gets cranked when the days get cold. But, the effect that I and other people suffer from during this time of the year is dry skin. The hotter showers dry your skin out and the heater in your home sucks the moisture out of the air. This leaves us with dry skin and dry skin itches!

The same is true for your dog. As the days get colder and you crank up the heater, your poor dog is losing moisture out of his or her skin. If your dog is suffering from allergies, not only might they have dry skin, but they are also suffering from other ailments that cause them to be itchy. This itchiness may be even worse if the dog has flea allergies as well. The problem with all this itching and scratching is that the skin is constantly irritated and never has a chance to heal. No matter what the cause if of the itchiness, this can cause your pup to develop a secondary skin infection as well.

Now, how do you remedy your dry skin? How does a nice shea butter lotion sound? Or, what about a bath of an oatmeal based skin conditioner? There are products similar to these that are designed for your dog and provide the same relieving effects that you seek in your lotions and bath conditioners.

Colloidal oatmeal products provide a variety of benefits to pets year round and not just during the winter when they have itchy skin. Colloidal oatmeal products can be used year round should your dog find himself bitten by bugs or in a patch of poison ivy. This is because colloidal oatmeal is capable of pulling out irritants that get into the skin and hair. After a warm oatmeal bath, pets begin to feel the effects of the colloidal oatmeal in no time. They will also benefit from smooth skin and smell better afterwards too. However, when you do use these products in your pet’s bath, be certain that you don’t make the water too hot! A lukewarm bath is ideal to sooth irritated, itchy skin.

Colloidal oatmeal is not the same as the oatmeal you eat for breakfast. This is oatmeal that has been ground into a fine powder. When you add it to water, it creates a milky dispersion, rather than congealing as regular oatmeal would. Colloidal oatmeal has a specific anti-itch property to it that makes it perfect to relieve your dog’s itchy skin during the winter months. When your dog’s skin is itchy and irritated, the skin has a high pH level. Colloidal oatmeal helps to lower the skin’s pH back down to normal and it takes away the need to itch. So, not only will your dog benefit from having the irritants removed from their skin, they also lose that urge to itch. Not itching provides your dog’s skin time to heal and recover from whatever has been irritating it.

There are several products available that contain all of the healing effects of colloidal oatmeal. One of those products is Fur Butter. This product is ideal for dogs with long hair and helps to control itching and irritation. Fur Butter also utilizes shea butter to moisturize the fur. Another product is Comfy Dog . This shampoo is ideal for those dogs that really suffer from dry and irritated skin. This shampoo helps to relieve swelling, inflammation, hot spots, and insect bites in addition to the itchy skin caused by the winter months. Both of these products are ideal natural steps that you can take to relieve the itch of winter and you can keep using it when flea season comes back around as well.

Categories
Itchy Skin & Allergies Shampoo

Why Oatmeal Helps to Relieve a Dog’s Itchy Skin

oatmeal

Why Oatmeal Helps a Dog’s Itchy Skin

by Fiona Young-Brown

You may have products containing oatmeal in your own bathroom cabinet, but did you know that oatmeal is also great for your dog’s skin? When my Husky Sam began to develop a case of puppy acne, the first thing the vet recommended was an oatmeal shampoo . Regular use helped to ease the irritation and lessen the redness, and now oatmeal products remain a regular part of our doggy beauty regimen.

Oatmeal isn’t just good for our insides – those same factors that make it so nutritious also make it good for our skin. The starches, mainly cellulose and fiber, are what help it to hold moisture once it is mixed with a liquid. Meanwhile, the vitamin E acts as an anti-inflammatory, and the phenols have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Throw in a few other antioxidant and cleansing components, and oatmeal is truly a skincare powerhouse.

Oatmeal has long been used in baths and skincare treatments; historians have found that the Romans and Egyptians used it as a cleanser and skin protector. Yet only recently has its effectiveness in protecting skin and soothing irritation been clinically proven. In 1978, the Food and Drug Administration approved colloidal oatmeal as a natural skin protector, and today it can be found in a wide variety of human skincare products.

One of the few all-natural ingredients to be approved by the FDA, colloidal oatmeal helps with a variety of skincare problems. One of its best known uses is to relieve itching . Patients with eczema and dermatitis have found it particularly soothing, and it can also help our furry friends when they are suffering from itchy bites or when they’ve been running around in poison ivy. Not only does oatmeal help to soothe the irritation, it can also help to actually heal the skin and protect it during the healing process. Since my other dog Lizzie suffers from seasonal allergies which affect her skin, a good oatmeal conditioner stops her from scratching all season long.

So what is colloidal oatmeal anyway? Basically, it is oatmeal that has been converted into a very fine powder, usually with the intent of then adding it to a liquid, perhaps a moisturizer, a shampoo, or even bath water. It can be made at home with a good quality coffee grinder or mill. Before you grab your box of breakfast oatmeal, however, it is important to understand that the instant stuff won’t do. If you are going to try making your own, you will need to use old-fashioned style, organic oatmeal, the type that requires a long cooking time. Simply add the dry oatmeal to the blender and grind to a fine powder. Because the powder granules are so tiny, the oatmeal becomes a colloid. In other words, it will readily absorb water or moisture. This then acts as a ready made moisturizer, binding itself to the skin in a protective layer.

You can use colloidal oatmeal in a variety of ways. One of the easiest is to add the powdered oatmeal to lukewarm bath water and use it as a soak. If your pet (like mine) is not the water lounging type, you can also find a number of shampoos and conditioners that will help soothe their skin and add a little shine to their coat at the same time (an added bonus of the Vitamin E). Try Fur Butter , a rich conditioner containing colloidal oatmeal and shea butter.

With regular use, products containing oatmeal can make a dramatic difference to both your and your dog’s skin. It will feel less dry, less irritated and smoother, making you and your pooch the perfectly beautiful natural couple.

Categories
Itchy Skin & Allergies

I’m Allergic to My Dog!

Dog Allergies

I’m Allergic to My Dog!

dandRUFF

The Facts on Dog Dander

By Xiomara Iraheta

Believe it or not a huge percentage of pet owners are allergic to their very own pets. But what causes human discomfort in the form of inflammation of the nose, asthma attacks, rashes and wheezing isn’t the fault of the innocent dog. The problem is in the dog’s dead and flaky skin that travels around and clings to everything. Several facts are crucial to understanding how to manage and care for your dog when your allergies become unbearable.

Identify the culprit – Whether your dog has long or short hair, your cute friend is not to blame, although it is true that certain breeds with non-shedding coats produce less dander. In comparison to cats, dogs scratch a lot more and therefore continuously shed airborne particles that you in return absorb. Interestingly, your upbringing may have something to do with why you’re so allergic today. Some studies show that children who grow up in a household with pets are less likely to develop pet allergies in adulthood.

Clean Up – You should be washing your hands constantly after petting or playing with your dogs. Washing your face and arms will get rid of the allergens that you may easily spread to your nose or mouth after having contact with your pet. Your home should be cleaned more often as well. Dusting and vacuuming regularly will prevent dander from hanging around.

Wash and Groom- Washing your dog weekly and grooming daily, preferably outdoors will help keep your dog’s skin healthy. A product with colloidal oatmeal like Fur Butter (or Fur Worse) will repair their damaged skin and keep it moisturized. For other grooming products that are sure to address your dog’s allergies check out this helpful page on dry and itchy skin .

Keep Away- We’re not suggesting that you get rid of your dog, but there are certain areas of your home like your bedroom you may want to keep dog-free. Your mattress, bedding and pillows are comfy hosts for dander, so try your best to keep your dog out. But, if you still want Fido in your bed there are still a couple of things you can do to minimize the effects of dander like using a high efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) to keep the air in your bedroom as clean as possible. Certain fabrics like wool attract more dander than cotton, so think about it when choosing your clothes and bedding.

Food – A well balanced diet is important to keeping dander away. Some helpful supplements in your dog’s diet according to Dr. Pitcairn’s guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats include: “cod liver oil, cold-pressed unsaturated vegetable oil (or oil derived from fish, especially for cats) and vitamin E (or wheat-germ capsules).”

In the future – when you’re thinking of getting a dog you may want to consider a particular breed that the American Kennel Association suggests for allergy sufferers. Keep in mind that there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog but there are some suggested breeds.

The main thing to remember when dealing with pet dander is that it gets on everything and stays for at least six months even after you may have moved your dog elsewhere. Therefore, anything you can do to keep your dog and home clean will help reduce your allergies. If you think your dog has a serious case of dander then please visit your vet.

Categories
Flea Treatments Itchy Skin & Allergies

It might not be fleas! Reasons and solutions for your dog’s itchy skin

dog allergy

We see it out of the corner of our eyes. A lone hind leg reaches up to scratch around the ear / neck area. We begin to panic. We realize with a dawning dread that we have a potential flea situation on our hands, and we enter into Dealing with Disaster Mode. But, as we comb our pooch’s hair frantically – looking for further proof of the detested vermin – it slowly sinks in (with considerable relief), that our dog is in fact, flea free. However the dog is still scratching and he’s starting to look at you with baleful eyes, so you know that something else is up. Itchy skin can be caused by things other than fleas, and it’s important to determine what the cause might be because even if it isn’t fleas, it isn’t very pleasant for your puppy.

Environmental Allergens
It may be surprising to know that dogs can develop allergies to outside stimuli similarly to humans. It doesn’t seem like that would be the case as dogs are built so differently and have a thick layer of hair all over their bodies but it’s true. If your dog is scratching or biting at his paws, he may be allergic to grass or something that he treads on often. Or, if your dog is scratching a certain area and you notice some bumps, he might be having a reaction to an insect bite . If the biting and itching from your puppy are severe, take your dog into your vet and tell him or her your concerns. He or she will probably put your dog on an antihistamine which will give your dog some relief from his allergies.

Dry Skin
Dry skin can be quite common, and it can be very annoying for your dog. Just like in humans, dry skin can cause a dog to have itchy, flaky skin. But, unlike people, dogs can’t just grab a bottle of moisturizer and relive their irritated skin, so they will sometimes scratch until the skin becomes cracked and bleeds. So, before the dry skin leads to wounds, give your dog a conditioning treatment that will stop your dog from scratching and will give your dog relief from the itchiness.

Food Allergens
Contrary to what some people think, you can’t just feed your dog anything and he or she’ll be fine. A dog’s digestive system can be just as delicate as a person’s, and dogs can also develop food allergies. If you think your dog may be allergic to certain types of food, look for these common symptoms of a food allergy: inflamed, itchy skin, excessive scratching and inflamed areas of the face, feet, ears, armpits and groin. Work with your vet to figure out the cause of the allergy, and when you get your pet on a diet that is no longer bothering him, the itchy, dry skin should start to clear up.

So, the next time you see your dog scratching don’t automatically drag out the carpet cleaner and the flea bath materials. It could be another irritant that’s rubbing your dog the wrong way, and a little investigating will save your dog a lot of scratching!