Medical Causes That Often Cause Dry Or Itchy Skin In Dogs
Sometimes, itchy skin is a symptom of an underlying health issue.
Your vet can help diagnose any potential problems, but it’s essential to be aware of some risks your dog might encounter.
Parasitic infections are common ways your dog gets itchy skin.
Skin mites are practically invisible to the naked eye, but they can burrow into your pup’s skin and wreak all kinds of havoc.
Some mites can cause extreme hair loss, known as mange. It also makes the skin itchy, inflamed, and appear covered in sores.
The same goes for bacterial infections or yeast infections.
Yeast infections are caused by fungus and can quickly spread to other parts of the body if you’re not careful.
Ticks and fleas can be a problem, too. Fleas, in particular, are notorious for causing incessant itching. Luckily, they’re relatively easy to deal with if you know what you’re up against.
Several diseases can cause dry skin as well.
Usually, anything that causes unpredictable hormonal imbalances will cause dryness. One typical example is Hyperthyroidism.
Always bring your dog to the vet if you believe that medical issues are causing dry skin.
While a change in diet can certainly help see improvements, the only way to manage dry skin caused by health problems is to address the underlying condition.
For Temporary relief you can try this Homemade Anti Itch Spray for Dogs recipe
Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Dog Food
PetListed Verdict:
Wellness Simple dog food, is just that, simple! This limited ingredient food contains all-natural ingredients and is made in the USA. It has either turkey or duck as the only protein, alongside easily digestible carbohydrates. Wellness also contains prebiotics and probiotics to promote a healthy digestive system.
Key Features:
- Single source protein, in either turkey or duck recipe
- Easily digestible formula with added probiotics and prebiotics
- No gluten, wheat, corn, soy, dairy, or eggs
Pros:
- Made in the USA by a family owned company
- Contains flaxseed for Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
- Non-GMO ingredients with no artificial flavors or preservatives
- Comes with a satisfaction guarantee
Cons:
- A grain-free diet may not work for some pet parents
Faqs On Dog Food For Dry Itchy Skin
Q: What can cause dry and itchy skin in dogs?
A: The most common causes of dry and itchy skin in dogs include food allergies, bacterial or yeast infections, parasitic infestations such as fleas, ticks and mites, eczema and many other factors. These conditions can be easily treated with the help of a vet so it is important to take your pet for regular checkups. You should also make sure that you give your dog a high quality food that contains all the essential vitamins and minerals needed for optimal health. You should also avoid giving your dog foods that contain artificial preservatives or chemicals as these can further irritate the skin.
Q: Are there any home remedies that I can use to treat my dogs dry and itchy skin?
A: Yes, there are a number of home remedies that can help to soothe your dogs dry and itchy skin. One popular option is to use a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water to create a soothing bath or skin rinse. You can also apply aloe vera gel or coconut oil directly to the affected areas of your dogs skin. These products are available from most health food stores or online retailers.
You should also make sure that you regularly clean your dogs bedding and toys to prevent the spread of bacterial or fungal infections.
Q: What are some tips for preventing dry and itchy skin in my dog?
Q: My dog has developed dry and itchy skin, what should I do?
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Open Farms Dry Dog Food Recipes
Open Farms line of kibbles offers a strong range of choices for pups with food sensitivities. The selection of novel-protein recipes in both grain-inclusive and grain-free styles makes it easy to avoid your dogs allergens. We especially like the companys transparent sourcing that lets you enter your packages lot code to find out exactly where each of the ingredients comes from. Our test pupsincluding one very picky eatergave the kibble four paws up.
Open Farm Dry Dog Food
Open Farms kibble recipes offer a range of options for pups with sensitive stomachs, matching novel proteins to both grain-free and grain-inclusive picks.
Avoderm For Skin & Coat
Chicken & brown rice designed for a healthier coat
This premium dermatology-friendly food is wheat, corn, and soy-free with avocado included for improved skin & coat.
About:AvoDermfor Skin & Coat is a chicken and brown riced recipe designed to improve your pups skin and coat.
Features:
- Contains no wheat, corn, or soy, which often cause skin conditions
- Contains no by-products, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- First ingredient is chicken meal, followed by brown rice.
- Includes California-grown avocado, packed with vitamins A, C, E, as well as B6 for healthy skin and coat
- Made in the USA, plus all ingredients come from USA
PROS
Several owners have noted that their dogs stopped itching after switching to this formula, with a visible improvement in skin and coat too.
CONS
We would prefer if the 2nd ingredient listed was also an animal protein, rather than ground brown rice.
Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Ground White Rice, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat …,
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Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Skin Support
Image courtesy Royal Canin
Royal Canin Skin Support was recommended by a veterinarian because it’s intended for dogs with skin reactions caused by environmental irritants or dryness.
This is a one-of-a-kind complex that includes vitamin C and taurine to promote healthy skin formation in dogs and puppies of all ages. The integrity of your dog’s skin barrier is supported by adequate amounts of B vitamins and amino acids.
High amounts of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids are good for your skin and coat. The adult dog food and puppy dog food is made with the goal of assisting dogs suffering from skin issues in maintaining a wonderful life.
Dogs & Skin Allergies
Canine contact dermatitis, sometimes called atopic dermatitis, is a common condition in dogs. It is when their skin is reactive toallergens such as pollen, plants, fleas, garden products, household dust, household cleaning products, topical agents, certain materials, and certain foods.
If your dog has an allergy, their skin may become red, rashy, bumpy, and feel itchy or sore. They may also scratch and lick the affected area to soothe it. Its important to get to the bottom of allergies as excessive scratching can create sores that are vulnerable to infection.
Dog allergies can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines when the cause is unavoidable. Breeds prone to contact dermatitis include Dalmatians, Golden Retrievers, and most Terrier breeds.
In extreme cases, allergies can cause the throat to swell and cause trouble breathing. Should this happen, you should give them an antihistamineas soon as possible to calm the reaction. You can also soothe reactive skin with skin-soothing hypoallergenic dog shampoos or make your own DIY treatment. To make a homemade treatment, run a bath with lukewarm water, oatmeal, and chamomile.
redness of the skin itself, itchiness
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What To Add To Dog Food For Dry Skin: 15 Effective Ingredients
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Sometimes, a dogs skin can become dry and itchy- leaving it uncomfortable all day long!
Thankfully, there are certain foods that can help to correct this condition and restore the health of a dogs skin and coat.
Welcome to our Ultimate Guide on What To Add To Dog Food For Dry Skin!
First and foremost, foods that are rich in essential fatty acids will help to solve this issue.
Essential fatty acids play a major role in ensuring that the skin is able to repair itself more efficiently . Therefore, it follows that irritated dog skin can be a result of a poor diet that doesnt contain enough of these nutrients.
Ensuring that your dog has a healthy, balanced diet is the foundation to smooth skin and a shiny coat. Work closely with your vet to find the right diet to your dog, as this should be formulated based on its specific needs taking into account its breed, age, and circumstances.
Getting the right amount of minerals, vitamins, and proteins, as well as the optimal number of calories, will ensure that the dog remains at the right weight while maintaining the best skin and coat quality possible.
If you do choose to switch the dogs regular diet with another option, be patient and allow it to transition slowly for approximately ten days.
Contents
How To Choose The Best Dog Food For Allergies
If your dog seems more interested in pawing at his ears or scratching her skin than hanging out with you and youâve ruled out other causes, then it could be time to consider experimenting with their diet.
But with as many free-from foods on the market for dogs as there is for people, knowing where to start can be daunting. Thankfully, weâve come up with a few simple guidelines that will help point you in the right direction.
Look for products that have short ingredient lists, generally with one form of protein and one form of carbohydrate which makes it easier to identify the potential allergen. While there are both risks and benefits, raw dog food is another option worth looking into. With few ingredients and zero additives, our guide to the best raw dog food is a great resource if youâre not sure where to start.
Look for added vitamins, minerals, prebiotics and probiotics. Vitamins C and E and probiotic strains like lactobacillus and acidophilus are great for soothing the GI tract and ensuring good digestive health. Antioxidants from fruits and vegetables and Omega-3 fatty acids are also great additions.
Finally, if youâre noticing your dog displaying any of the symptoms of a possible allergic reaction be sure to consult your vet who will be able to help identify the cause and recommend the best course of treatment.
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How Dog Food Can Help
Dog food can help in many ways. Dry skin is a direct result of low moisture levels in the skin.
That’s a pretty obvious statement, but it’s a simple concept that you need to remember when dealing with dry skin.
The goal in alleviating this issue is to keep the skin hydrated and supple. Simple enough, right?
Your dog’s diet can do a lot to improve hydration levels. Even in dry kibble, essential oils and fats support the skin. They also hydrate the follicles to give your pup that healthy coat of fur you want to see.
Just 6 By Rachel Ray Nutrish Hypoallergenic Food
This limited-ingredient food wont stress your budget. What are the six ingredients, you ask? Lamb meal, brown rice, ground rice, beet pulp, chicken fat, and natural pork flavor. Meat meal provides concentrated protein, making this a very affordable grain-free, limited-ingredient, hypoallergenic food.
Just 6 by Rachel Ray Nutrish Hypoallergenic Food
Not only is this hypoallergenic dog food affordable, but it boasts just six ingredients, including lamb meal.
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Dog Food For Dry Itchy Skin
Dry and itchy skin is a common problem for dogs. If your dogs skin becomes dry and itchy, you may wonder what you can do to help them as their scratching themselves can cause further irritation as well as lead to hair loss and sores which could become infected. Some breeds are more susceptible than others but this problem is not breed-specific. Fleas or other parasites living on the surface of the skin, allergies, a lack of water, dry air in the house, or skin diseases like mange, ringworm, or eczema can all contribute to your dogs dry skin.
The skin covers the dogs body and prevents harmful organisms from entering the body. Although it does serve a protective purpose, dog skin is sensitive and thin. Its unpleasant for a dog to have dry, irritated skin, which can progress to more serious health problems.
Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy Turkey Entree Grain
Top 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Liver, Meat By-Products, Water, Beef
If your dog isnt fond of dry food, then Purina Pro Plan Turkey Entree is one of the best wet recipes you can find. Its a grain-free recipe, which makes it a good choice for puppies with itchy skin. The high amount of omega fatty acids promotes a healthy coat and better cognitive development.
This recipe has quality proteins needed for muscle development. Its a great option for a smart, strong pup.
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Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Salmon & Potato Dry Dog Food
Not only is this dog food from Diamond Naturals formulated for a healthy skin and coat, but its also grain-free, so if your dogs dry skin is caused by allergic reactions, youre well taken care of.
This is a best-selling dog food. Ultimate skin and coat nourishment comes from omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, canola and flaxseed, and vitamin E.
Diamond Naturals is a family-owned and run business that makes their dog food in the USA with trusted, sustainable ingredients.
Additional Info
The main ingredient of this recipe, wild-caught salmon, provides a high-quality protein source for your dog. The amino acid profile is optimized for strong, lean muscles.
The food also contains:
- antioxidants from superfoods that provide immune system support
- added vitamins and minerals
- proprietary, species-specific probiotics
This recipe contains essential hypoallergenic ingredients with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, filler, corn or wheat. A full list of ingredients and guaranteed analysis information can be found here.
Customers like how this dog food is more affordable than most other grain-free options. It really does wonders for dry, itchy skin.
Elimination Diet For Dogs With Food Allergies
If an elimination diet is recommended for your dog, a specially formulated hypoallergenic food will be prescribed. For 8-10 weeks you will only feed your dog the prescribed food, completely eliminating all other food sources from your pet’s diet.
If one or more of the ingredients in your dog’s regular food is the source of the symptoms, the elimination of the regular dog food should help to improve your dog’s condition.
It’s important to note that, for the elimination diet to work you must stop giving your dog treats during this period as well as their regular food. Only the hypoallergenic food should be fed to your dog while they are on the elimination diet.
Being on the elimination diet for 10 weeks will allow your dog’s body to adjust to the new prescription food, and give your vet the opportunity to assess your dog’s overall health.
If the allergy symptoms clear up while your dog is on the elimination diet, your vet may request that you return to feeding your dog their original diet to see if the allergy symptoms reappear.
While an elimination diet can be helpful in determining food allergies in dogs, other tests can also be useful, and provide quick results. Here at Caring Hands Veterinary Hospital our in-house lab allows our vets to test for the root of your pets problem and offer a customized treatment plan to start the healing process.
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Don’t Dogs Need Essential Fatty Acids Only Found In Meat
Essential fatty acids can be found in both plant and animal sources.Healthy oils and fats, such as those found in canola, sunflower and flaxseed, are an essential part of any dogs diet. Oils derived from plant sources provide a healthy mix of unsaturated fat and omega fatty acids -3, -6, -9, which are important for maintaining healthy skin and a radiant coat.
Difference Between Food Allergies And Food Intolerance
You need to know whether your dog suffers from food intolerance or an allergy. This will help you know which dog food to purchase because they are two different things. Intolerance happens when your dog cannot digest an ingredient. For example, dogs tend to have lactose intolerance, just like humans. When your dog feeds on a particular element, it will react by vomiting, have flatulence, or diarrhea.
On the other hand, allergies are related to the immune system. Usually, the immune system would identify a harmful item and release antibodies to fight it. An allergic reaction could be rashes or disorders associated with the respiratory system.
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Natural Balance Lid Chicken And Sweet Potato Formula
This dog food that is hypoallergenic includes a single source of animal protein as well as the carbohydrate powerhouse otherwise, its grain-free. Formulated to provide complete, balanced nutrition for adult dogs, the limited ingredients here make it easy to control your pups sources of protein and carbohydrates.
Natural Balance LID Chicken and Sweet Potato Formula
This hypoallergenic dog food features chicken and sweet potatoes in its limited ingredient recipe.
Best Dog Food For Skin Allergies
The best food for skin allergies can depend on what hes allergic to. An easily remedied food allergy will require a different course of action to skin allergy caused by, lets say, pollen.
A good dog food for skin allergies may be able to strike right at the source, but will always relieve the symptoms via nutrients like fatty acids. Whatever the cause of your dogs ailments, there is the best dog food for skin allergies affecting her is out there.
Hopefully this article helped you find just that! Have you tried any of the foods in this article? Are there any other foods that worked for you Let us know in the comments?
Affiliate link disclosure: Links in this article marked with an * are affiliate links, and we may receive a small commission if you purchase these products. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own.
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