Dry, itchy skin is a common problem in dogs and can be attributed to a variety of factors. Some of these include fleas, environmental allergies, and skin infections.
The best way to treat your dog's itchy skin is to take a closer look at their diet and environment. This will help you understand what's causing the itchiness and give you a better understanding of what your pet needs.
Fish
A food high in omega fatty acids, such as fish protein, can help reduce inflammation. Itchy skin is often caused by an underlying problem such as an allergy, so a diet that is high in these fatty acids will help your dog feel better and avoid future itching problems.
Adding a supplement like a digestive enzyme powder to your dog's food can also help them digest their food and lessen itching. This is especially helpful for dogs with sensitive digestive tracts, and Dym recommends a brand that contains four plant-derived enzymes.
Itchy skin can be caused by a number of different things, but some of the most common causes include stress, dry skin, and allergies. Fortunately, many of these conditions can be treated without medication or medical treatment.
Beef
If your dog is itchy, then he may be allergic to something in his diet. The best way to determine this is through an elimination diet.
A food with a single meat protein will be much less likely to cause itchiness than one with many different proteins and carbohydrates in it. This is because it’s much easier for the immune system to respond appropriately to a single protein source rather than to a mix of proteins that can trigger a reaction.
Buying beef can be a confusing process, as cuts and names vary from country to country and region to region. To make the meat more readily available to consumers, each of these primal cuts is further broken down into smaller sub-primal cuts, which are what you see on the store shelf.
Lamb
A dog's skin can become itchy when they are exposed to irritants or allergens. Changing their diet to a hypoallergenic, low-processed diet can help alleviate itchy skin and prevent allergy symptoms.
A protein-rich food like lamb can be a good choice for dogs suffering from itchy skin. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A and B-12, zinc and other essential nutrients that can help relieve itchy skin in dogs.
There are several different cuts of meat from a sheep, but some of the most popular include shoulder roast, rack, loin chops, and leg of lamb. In the United States, lamb is most commonly prepared rare or medium rare with a pink center.
Poultry
The most common causes of itchy skin in dogs include food allergies, parasites, fleas, mites and seasonal allergies. Fortunately, a healthy diet and some key supplements can help reduce itchy skin in dogs.
Dry and canned food often contains a dizzying array of ingredients that can make your dog itchy. These include wheat (gluten), highly processed meat protein and a wide variety of chemicals.
A good quality kibble is free of the stuff that makes your dog itchy and can also provide them with omega-3 fatty acids, a nutrient that helps prevent inflammation.
If your dog is allergic to poultry, you can try a diet based on novel proteins, such as kangaroo meat, crocodile meat or fish and venison. This may take some trial and error, but it is well worth trying.
Vegetables
One of the best things you can do for your dog’s itchy skin is to give them a healthy diet. Avoid foods that contain ingredients such as beef, wheat or dairy which are the most common food allergens in dogs.
If you do want to give your dog some vegetables, try fresh carrots, celery, broccoli, and greens like kale or spinach. These are all high in vitamins and minerals that can help your dog heal their itchy skin naturally.
Aside from a nutrient-rich diet, there are a few other natural remedies that can be used to soothe your dog’s itchy skin. Chamomile and green tea are both known for their anti-inflammatory effects and can be used to soothe hot spots on your dog’s paws.
