Allergic dogs are a major concern for many owners as well as groomers. The number of dogs that I see with allergies of some kind is mind boggling.
How many of you have tried to find a solution for dogs licking paws excessively?
How many dog groomers are asked every week for a possible solution or a potion that can be applied to the paws to stop the licking.
And more importantly how big a role does nutrition play in all of these skin conditions?
Table of Contents
Itchy Dogs – A Natural Health Guide for Dogs with Skin Problems
Possible Allergy Signs in Your Dog
There are a number of tell-tale signs suggesting allergies, but some are less obvious than others. Some we even take for granted, brushing them off as typical canine characteristics.
The more obvious indicators include:
- Constant itchiness
- Unexplained hair loss
- Patches of red and inflamed skin
- Appearance of a rash
- Hot Spots
- Agitated ears leading to rubbing and scratching
- Wheezing and coughing
- Apparent eye itchiness
Less obvious indicators of dog allergies include:
- Lethargy
- Restlessness
- Weight Loss
- Doggy odour
The dog smell is definitely something I can relate to. One of our dogs, in particular, used to develop a doggy odor within days of being bathed. He always looked cute and smelt delightful just after his bath, but it wasn’t long before you had to wash your hands after patting him just to get rid of the transmitted smell.
Some dogs seem to escape the dreaded old-dog smell better than others, but many dogs lose their sweet puppy aroma very early in life and continue to be “dogged” by a bad aroma the rest of their lives. And then they are forever branded as a smelly dog. Is this just a matter of changing your grooming routine or is there something missing in the dog food you are buying? Could dog food have something to do with that smell?
In our case, our cute but smelly dog was very prone to skin allergies. Solving one problem, the allergy, solved the other. Changing his diet not only helped to reduce his allergic skin reactions but also helped to prolong that clean smell after bathing.
It is quite possible that your on-the-nose pooch is also suffering from some kind of allergy, such as chewing on his toes or scratching incessantly. It could well be time to change his diet.
Is Diet Alone to Blame for Dog Allergies?
Keep in mind that there can indeed be other causes of your dog’s allergy. This is where your veterinarian comes in. Do consult him/her to rule out other possible causes such as: ticks, fleas, other bugs, the wrong shampoo or underlying health problems.
A friend’s dog, just this week in fact, did encounter such an attack. The dog does suffer from allergies and is on a particular diet. However, her symptoms and condition worsened rapidly a few days ago. Upon examination, a pesky tick was found embedded in her face. Horrible. Once removed, she regained her normal state of health.
The point is this: Food can more often than not explain allergic reactions in dogs but let you vet examine your pooch to rule out any other causes that should be treated.
What Are We Feeding Our Dogs?
How much do we know about the contents of the food that we feed our puppies and adult dogs? I would say that most of us are in the same boat here and know very little about the actual ingredients of what is in that doggy bowl.
And to what extent does a well-groomed look depend on good food as well as good grooming? I would expect that there is a very strong correlation between the two.
Unless a veterinarian has advised a specific diet, most dog owners would opt for either wet or dry food and sometimes a combination of the two.
Yin & Yang Nutrition for Dogs: Maximizing Health with Whole Foods, Not Drugs
Nutrient Requirements of Dogs
I have been quite shocked lately, when reading different books, about what is actually in some of the food that we feed our dogs.
I guess I was particularly horrified recently because we had just come from a regular visit to the veterinary clinic only to be told that there were a couple of major health issues with both of our dogs. Yes, they were ageing dogs but perhaps there is more than some truth in the notion that dog longevity is not as good as it should be, or could be, because of what we feed them.
This is why this book on nutrient requirements of pets caught my eye.
Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats (Nutrient Requirements of Domestic Animals)
The book might have seemed quite expensive but I could see why when I looked at the contents.
In summary, this hard-cover report:
- Updates recommendations that have been made by the National Research Council
- Details nutrient recommendations for different aged dogs
- Details nutrient recommendations according to how active the dog is
- Covers metabolism
- Covers how to identify if there is a nutrient deficiency
- Lists diseases linked to poor nutrition
- Discusses different types of pet food
Not only does nutrition play a huge part in having a well-groomed dog but it also can determine the overall health of your dog not to mention the lifespan of your beloved pooch.
Dietary Choices for Allergic Dogs
So, let’s get down to the question of what to feed dogs with allergies. First, what shouldn’t we feed our dogs with allergies.
It is paramount that your veterinarian guides you on which food ingredients your particular dog needs or should avoid. Your vet will quite possibly look at known food allergens for dogs:
The most common food allergens in dogs are proteins, especially those from dairy, beef, chicken, chicken eggs, soy, or wheat gluten.
Food Allergies in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospital | VCA Animal Hospitals (vcahospitals.com)
You might well be advised therefore to concentrate on one of these categories:
- New protein sources: Including proteins that your dog has never eaten before, such as kangaroo, or fish.
- Limiting carbohydrate sources: You could be told to select single-grain sources such as sweet potato or brown rice.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: These have anti-inflammatory properties that can help manage allergy symptoms.
- Prebiotics and probiotics: A way to promote gut health in an attempt to strengthen the immune system.
- Hypoallergenic Dog Foods
Food for Dogs with Allergies (affiliate link)
Regardless of the diet that you are gradually introducing to your dog, it is a good idea to avoid unhealthy treats and scraps from the table.
Supplementation
Your vet might even prescribe some form of health supplement, designed to reduce allergic reactions.
What Do You Feed Your Dog?
We have seen that allergies in dogs can be traced back to diet, or more specifically to a lack of nutrients in the dog’s food. The wrong diet can explain a number of conditions that you observe in your pet.
You can even run a few tests at home to try and determine what is causing an allergic reaction in your pooch. But always follow up with a veterinarian consultation to confirm your suspicions.
