Tips to help Dog Skin Allergies
Noticed that your dog is scratching more than normal? Spotted some dry, red or flaky skin? Just like humans, dogs can experience skin allergies that can leave them irritable and a little under the weather. With humans we often identify the signs early, with pets it’s a little different and it can feel like you need to turn into Inspector Clouseau to get to the bottom of what’s causing your dog’s skin to flare up.
The team at Naturo natural dog food have put together some simple tips we think will help: Make a Note If symptoms seem to appear and then subside again make a note of where your dog was or what happened on that particular day. It may be that your dog has an allergy to high pollen levels which causes the skin to flare up after a sunny day in the park. Another example may be an allergy to perfumes in a product. You might love the way your dog’s fur smells and feels following a trip to the groomers but your dog’s skin might not. Avoidance If you notice a pattern, start to cut out the products or situations that give rise to flare ups. For dogs with sensitivities to pollen during the summer months (late spring – early summer), advice is similar to that offered to people – avoidance! As much as your dog wants to run and dig its nose into freshly cut grass, this is only going to cause itchy skin come home time. If bringing playtime indoors isn’t possible (or you can’t say no to those pleading eyes!) avoid long grasses and try rubbing down your dog immediately after the walk to reduce the amount of pollen attached to the fur. Try the Natural Dog Food Way A common cause of skin allergies in dogs is often food. Traditional dog food can contain colourants, preservatives and poor quality meats which are hard to digest and can cause reactions such as dry, itchy and flaky skin.
The quality of ingredients that go into Naturo natural dog food is a key factor in helping dogs with allergies. There are no artifical colours, flavours or preservatives in our natural dog food and it’s free from the common allergens – beef, wheat, gluten and soya – to promote overall health and maintain a healthy digestive system for your dog. Naturo’s natural dog food also contains an optimal balance of Omega 6 and Omega 3 to promote a healthy skin and shiny coat as well as helping with itchy skin conditions. When we rescued Popcorn our Westie, he had every problem going and very dry skin. When we put him on your food he changed and no longer has dry skin – thanks! We also rescued our staffie Louis who was overweight and suffered from dry skin. We put him on natural dog food and in one week the change to his skin was clear to see! Daniel Cooper Elimination Diet If you think there’s a specific food group that your dog could be allergic to, try an elimination diet. This means no sneaky tit-bits from the dinner table! The process involves eliminating certain foods for a period of time (approximately 3 – 4 weeks) then slowly reintroducing and making a note of any side effects. Two common allergens we come across are grain and sometimes brown rice. To view Naturo’s range of natural dog food recipes that are completely free from grains and brown rice click here Pay your vet a visit If symptoms persist visit your vet. They will conduct a thorough examination and recommend a way forward. If you’ve kept a record of any flare ups bring this along with you. Your vet will have seen lots of different types of allergies and may notice a recurring theme that you’ve missed. If the allergy is severe your vet might prescribe medication such as an antihistamine, a special shampoo or stronger steroid tablet. At Naturo we produce a range of healthy natural dog food with one aim – to make a pet food that helps your pet’s body to maintain and repair itself. Don’t let allergies get you or your dog down.
