Your dog’s itching and biting can drive you crazy, but that probably still doesn’t meet the extent of pain your dog is facing. An occasional itch here, a scratch there is okay. But what do you do when your dog is constantly trying to grab a piece of themselves to relieve pain? You’d find the reasons behind it and try treating it with the help of the vet. Herein, we discuss major causes of itchy skin in dogs and some remedies for the same:
Environmental allergens
Environmental allergens are one of the most common causes of itchy skin in dogs. If rashes and itching persist in the chest, feet, face, and stomach, chances are that they are caused by surrounding irritants. Grass, pollen, dust mites, and dander can often lead to a dog’s itchy skin and scratchy behavior. The allergy can be confirmed with the help of blood tests and the doctor will accordingly prescribe tablets, injections, and/or shampoos.
Food allergies
Some foods are infamous for causing itchiness in dogs. Potential sources that can cause allergic reactions include chicken, beef, turkey, and eggs. Dairy is yet another allergen that can cause your dog’s itchy skin. You should consult your vet about the treatment protocol they want to follow. Additionally, if your vet agrees, you can also follow the elimination protocol to see what suits your dog.
Folliculitis
This is a condition in which the hair follicles are inflamed, which often occurs in combination with conditions like allergies or mange. Underlying conditions cause the hair follicles to become inflamed and occur in the form of sores and scabs all over the skin. This can generally be treated with the help of oral medications, shampoos, and soaps.
Ticks and fleas
These nuisances are common for pets and pet parents alike. Such parasites feast on your dog’s skin and itchiness and rashes. Ticks and fleas bite the dog’s skin and suck on their blood, and their saliva easily travels through the body. This spread of saliva causes increased itching and scratching by the dog. Itchy skin in dogs can often be a result of a severe parasitic infection that leads to symptoms like redness, inflammation, scratching, and chewing of fur.
To cure your dog’s itchy skin and provide them with some much-needed relief, here are some home remedies that you can try out. However, you should definitely pay your vet a visit if you are not sure what is causing the itching:
Apple cider vinegar (ACV)
You must have heard about all the good things that ACV can do for us humans. But how many of you know that it is good for your pets as well? If you were told that your dog’s itchy skin relief medicine is nothing but that bottle of ACV in your pantry, would you believe it? Just mix ACV and water in equal parts and spray it on your dog’s itchy spots. ACV is antibacterial and antifungal in nature, which can provide relief from the constant urge to scratch. Avoid spraying this solution on open wounds as it can be quite painful.
Aloe Vera
Another all-healing substance that has gained popularity – aloe vera is known for its cooling ability. It will help get the redness and inflammation in control and draw the heat out of the skin. You can simply pick up an aloe vera gel pack from your nearest store and use it on the itchy spots. If not, harvest it out of a plant will also work as a dog’s itchy skin reliever.
Baking soda
Like you did with ACV, you can mix equal amounts of water and baking soda and turn it into a paste. Baking soda is said to have the ability to dry out rashes, reduce inflammation, and decrease itching. All these qualities give baking soda the ability to help provide relief from your dog’s itchy skin. If you need help with your dog’s overall itchy skin relief, try adding some baking soda to their bathwater.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is a great hydrating and moisturizing agent. If your dog is suffering due to itchy skin and needs some relief, it might be time for you to use this magical elixir. Simply massage it onto the dog’s itchy skin and relief will follow. There are also people who would attest to adding a little bit to the dog’s kibble but don’t feed your dog anything without the vet’s permission.
Apart from the abovementioned home remedies here are some of the medications that are used to address dog itchy skin and provide relief:
Apoquel
Apoquel is used and prescribed by various vets to help address the dog’s itchy skin relief concerns so many pet parents come in with. The oral medicine starts showing results in about four hours and has the itching completely under control in a day’s time. This medication is to be orally administered twice a day and can be used in dogs older than a year. Consulting with your vet before using Apoquel is prudent.
Benadryl
This over-the-counter antihistamine can help treat itchy skin in dogs. It helps treat the infection that causes distress for the dogs and provides relief from the constant itching and scratching. Benadryl is safe to administer and safer to do so after consulting a vet.
Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo
One of the major contents of this shampoo is oatmeal. It is known for its hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties and serves as a great itch reliever. If you want instant results for your dog’s itchy skin relief, try this oatmeal and essential oil blend when giving them a bath.
Aspects to consider while selecting the best dog food
Before grabbing any bag of kibble that you came across online, it’s important that understand your pet’s food requirements. Your dog’s health and development are directly proportional to the quality of nutrients in the food they intake. Dry or wet? High-fiber or protein-rich? Meat-based or vegetarian? Raw or cooked? Packaged or fresh? All of these questions will be answered herein.
Think about your dog
Selecting the best food for your dog can be confusing, challenging, and costly. While all dogs have similar basic needs, not every one of them can be met with the same type of food. Canines have individual needs based on their health, age, and breed. Of course, bigger breeds have different nutritional needs compared to those of smaller ones. Not to mention the dogs and puppies with special dietary needs. Also, your dog’s lifestyle and weight also play an important role in the selection process. For instance, a hyperactive husky will have different nutritional needs than a nursing one or from a chihuahua that mostly lazes it out on the couch. The number of meals and treats, similarly, would also depend on their weight and allergies. There is a chance that you might end up with prescription dog food if your pet has allergies.
Check the ingredients
You must remember to check out the ingredient list for the products it contains. While the list does not specify the amount or quality of ingredients used, it comes handy when your dog has special dietary needs. It is also very useful for owners who want to feed their pets with the best dog food and are specific regarding the sources of carbohydrates, proteins, and fiber. Dogs aren’t strictly carnivores, but their diet does consist mainly of meat. The mixture of grains, vegetables, meat, and other food sources might not seem appealing to us but dry kibble and wet canned food are nutrient-rich and meet the requirements. So, while you are looking for the best dog food to treat them with, it is necessary to make note that the non-meat foods are not simply added to bulk up the product. Vegetables, fruits, and grains can be relevant sources of required vitamins and minerals
Your vet knows best
The one person that you can implicitly trust when it comes to your pet’s needs is your vet. While you observe your dog day-in and day-out, your veterinarian is more qualified and has access to better research, resources and of course years of experience. Take your vet’s opinion into consideration before making the right choice, as they will only help your process of picking out the best dog food easier.
We’re sure that already have hours of research under your belt, and all the information available can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to overthink. If your dog can digest the food well, produces firm and healthy stools, and maintains a healthy appetite, you have made the right choice. You got to remember that dogs are flexible eaters, and you can treat them with a meaty bone every once a while.
When it comes to dog food, one size does not fit all as different canine breeds have varying needs. Also, due to growing concerns about the use of synthetic and artificial food additives in commercially available pet food, more people are switching to organic and all-natural variants among the hundreds of options available.
Here we bring you the top brands that manufacture the best organic pet food for dogs.
Note that the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) limit the term natural to ingredients that are solely derived from plant, animal, and mined sources without any synthetic processing involved. Brands that strictly adhere to these requirements produce the best organic dog foods commercially.
Our pets can mean the world to us. With cats being among them and one of the most adored creatures, these furry loved ones deserve great care on our behalf. When it comes to choosing the right foods and healthy diet options for cats, it is essential to choose one that comprises an adequate amount of nutrition with the right protein and healthy fat levels. However, choosing the right one considering the plethora of options available in the market can be a daunting task. In the following, some of the popular food treats for cats and also some healthy diet options have been listed to help you make an informed choice.
The price of the product does not always determine the quality of the food. Always read through the ingredients and make sure it meets all essential nutritional values for your pets. Look for high-grade animal and edible proteins, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and carbohydrates which would all make a portion of wholesome food with natural ingredients. Some of the popular food treats with these benefits include the following:
Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Canned Food
This product is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants that can help in developing and strengthening muscles. It is a wet food with a grain-free chicken recipe.
American Journey Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
It is a dry variety of grain-free cat food that is made of real meat with digestible resources such as fruits and vegetables that help in easy digestion.
Weruva
Your cat will love this tasty wet food which is made of natural animal proteins with no added preservatives or artificial coloring.
Purina Beyond® Indoor Grain-Free Food
A tasty meal for your cat prepared from fresh salmon and chicken is a thickened source of protein and other essential supplements.
If packaged food might seem to be expensive at times, cat owners can resort to delicious cat food recipes that they can make from the items available in their pantry. Some of the easily available options include the following:
Salmon and fish oils: Salmons and fish oils are a great source of vitamin D3 and omega-3 fatty acids. It has many beneficial factors that can help a cat to be healthy. Make sure you feed your cat with only cooked salmon. Fish oils play a great role in moisturizing the fur and avoids itching during winter.
Chicken: Cats can obtain a good source of protein from chicken that can help in better digestion. Make sure you cook the chicken well before feeding your cat.
Pumpkins: Pumpkins are great treats for cats as they help in their bowel movements. It can be served as a puree which can improve gut mobility.
Cheese: Cheddar cheese is highly recommended for cats as it provides calcium and proteins. Do not overfeed your cat with cheese as this might result in obesity.
Blueberries: Most cat food items have a mixture of blueberries in them as they are a good source of vitamins C and A. While feeding cats with home-made ingredients, you should restrict the amount to 20 calories per day along with two teaspoons of cooked chicken or salmon.
Turkey: Besides chicken meat, turkey is also a great supplement of lean protein. Cooked turkey breasts are a good source of nutrition that can be added to cat-safe snacks.
A flea infestation can be extremely frustrating. Fleas are difficult to get rid of and their bites can cause allergies. Additionally, using chemicals to get rid of fleas may cause problems for humans and pets. As a result, most switch to natural remedies, as they are safe and effective.
Herbal spray
Pest control services use chemical sprays to kill fleas that can be risky for humans and pets. You can instead prepare a herbal spray that is safe and effective.
Some lemon juice can be boiled to create a spray solution. Moreover, witch hazel can be added to the spray to increase its effectiveness. This spray should be used all over your home since fleas can hide in corners, especially in your pet’s bedding. This spray smells nice and doesn’t have any side effects.
Citronella oil
Citronella oil can be mixed with tea tree and lemongrass oil to create a solution. Citronella is known to destroy fleas. This solution can be used to clean the entire house with the help of a mop. If this is done frequently, it can help get rid of fleas completely.
Diatomaceous earth
Diatoms are a type of algae. The microscopic remains of the algae are called diatomaceous earth. While one is a commercial-grade alga, the other food grade. If you want to use it at home to get rid of fleas, you should use the food-grade one to avoid side effects.
The powder should be sprinkled in all areas where fleas could be hiding. The powder kills fleas and their eggs as well.
Dish soap
In a plate, add dish soap and place a candle in the center. Leave this in the room that is infested with fleas. The fleas would get attracted to the candle and fall into the soapy solution and die.
Vacuum the house
After you have used any of the treatments mentioned above, you should vacuum your house thoroughly. Vacuuming helps get rid of dead fleas, eggs, and larvae.
A thorough vacuuming has to be done in every corner of the house. Salt can be used to dehydrate the fleas and kill them. Additionally, the vacuum bag must be taken away from the house and disposed off, as it would contain eggs.
Hot wash
Bedsheets, curtains, mats, and other clothes where fleas may settle must be washed in hot water. This would kill the fleas and the eggs. This is one of the first things to be done to treat a flea infestation naturally.
Treat pets
Pets must also be treated by bathing them with mild detergent and salt. Regular combing with a flea comb can help remove fleas from pets.
These natural remedies must be tried at home to get rid of flea infestation. These remedies are safe, natural, and do not cause problems for pets or children.
Dogs and cats can be easily allergic to a range of foods that go undiscovered until they show the symptoms. Sometimes, the causative agent for such allergies remain undetected and thereby the owner has to put the fur-babies on food allergy tests so that they are able to avoid such foods in the long run. Where this is one of the wisest methods to discover what our dogs and cats are allergic to, it is possible to avoid them directly. By knowing the top food allergies in dogs and cats, we can directly prevent the most common causative agents from causing any unnecessary pain to them.
What are the symptoms of food allergies in dogs and cats?
The top food allergies in dogs and cats seem to have almost similar symptoms, which makes it easy to recognize and understand. They are
These are just common symptoms and might vary from breed to breed.
The top foods that cause allergies in dogs and cats
The foods mentioned herein are known to cause allergic reactions in cats and dogs, so be wary of what you feed them and help them live a healthy life.
The top food allergies in dogs and cats can be caused by anything. In most cases, the allergic triggers are often deliberately introduced in order to understand what causes them. Once identified, such foods should be avoided at all costs.
A much safer food alternative for your pet would be pet food. One popular pet food brand for both dogs and cats is Royal Canin. It focuses on formulating foods that not only meet your pet’s nutritional needs but also allow them to enjoy a wide range of foods and flavors. Not to mention, they make foods that are suited to specific needs. You could bag Royal Canin cat food while on sale through their website.
Dogs are a man’s best friend, and you can feel really anxious if your dog starts having an allergic reaction that makes it uncomfortable. Some of the most common signs of dog allergies are itching, scratching, and chewing.
What causes dog allergies?
Skin allergies or allergic dermatitis are the most common type of allergies developed by dogs. The prime causes of dog allergies include:
Dog allergies and their natural remedies
If your dog is developing any allergic reaction, your vet should be the first person you should reach out to. Besides, there are various natural remedies available for some common dog allergies. These natural remedies are readily available at your home and can relieve your dog from various allergies.
Below is a list of dog allergies and their natural remedies for your reference. These natural remedies are very helpful in the treatment of different dog allergies such as dry skin or stomach upset.
Vitamin E oil
Vitamin E oil is full of antioxidants. Antioxidants primarily fight aging. They work towards the prevention of free radical damage. Free radical damage is the main cause of ageing. Application of vitamin E oil can protect your dog from UV radiation. Thus, it ensures moisturization of their skin and helps in the prevention of conditions like dry skin.
Electrolyte-replacing liquids for diarrhea
Flavorless electrolyte-replacing liquids help dogs too. During diarrhea, like humans, dogs too lose liquids. In such cases, the electrolyte replacing proves to be helpful among helpful in keeping their liquid level intact.
Yogurt
Both plain and sweetened yogurt is very healthy for your dog. The probiotics in yogurt help your dog to retain the good bacteria and have a strong intestine.
Oatmeal
If your dog has developed any symptoms of itchy skin, chickenpox or any such conditions, an oatmeal bath can be very soothing. This is because of chemicals such as avenanthramides and phenols present in oatmeal. These chemicals have anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, oatmeal baths offer instant relief to all the skin allergies and superficial infections that you dog might be affected by. Oatmeal baths are especially helpful if your dog has itchy feet. Oatmeal is delicious and 100 per cent non-toxic too.
Chamomile tea
It has been found that chamomile helps in soothing the stomach by decreasing muscle spasms and cramps. Besides, it also works towards the reduction of inflammation of the mucous membranes. Thus, it reduces inflammation of the stomach and intestinal lining. In the same way, these properties of chamomile are helpful for your dog too. You can add chamomile tea to your dog’s food or their water bowl. This natural remedy can be used for minor rashes and irritations.
These are a few of the many natural remedies that are available for dog allergies. These remedies are primarily recommended for minor symptoms. If your dog has not shown any improvements post-application for two to three days, ensure to consult a vet immediately.
You must have tried special shampoos, altered grooming routine and also tried medications; but your dog has not stopped itching, scratching or biting fur. But have you considered working on your pet’s diet?
Similar to humans, dogs too have food allergies. Dogs can experience severe itching, irritation, swollen face, among others due to food allergies. There is no age bar in dogs for developing food allergies.
Symptoms of dog food allergies
Your dog may have developed food allergies if you notice the below symptoms.
What are the common allergens?
Every dog owner should understand the difference between food sensitivity and food allergies. The prime difference is food allergy triggers an immediate immune system response. But the reaction of food sensitivity is gradual.
Most of the common allergens which trigger food allergies in dogs include chicken, beef and dairy products. On the other hand, corn, wheat, rice, barley and oats are some of the less common allergens.
What are the treatments for dog food allergy?
You will be happy to know that most dog food allergies can be managed with the help of changing their food. Below is a list of few methods which usually adopted towards the management of dog food allergy.
Be it cats or dogs, pet owners love to treat their pets with treats. If you are a cat owner, you would love to treat your cats for various reasons to showcase your love and appreciation to them. Unfortunately, this can lead to a lot of health problems of your feline friend, which include a shortened lifespan, obesity, and other conditions. Overeating can also cause harmful effects on the cat’s health. Here are some tips on using food for showing love towards your feline pet without spoiling or harming them:
If your cat is refusing to eat something new (read: healthy), but still enjoys its old food, then try to mix the two foods for a few days. This will trick it into eating the new healthy food by masking it with the old food that it already likes. This is a good way to transition cats on to a new diet every time you make changes to their diet.
Chicken broth for cats is like tomato ketchup for humans – it makes everything taste better. If your cat is being particularly persnickety about its food, you could add some low-sodium chicken broth in its food for lending it some zing. Hopefully, that will prod your pet cat to eat the new food you put out in their bowl.
In some cases, your cat’s reluctance to eat its food, old or new, could be your fault, especially if it is used to being fed table scraps from your dinner table. In such cases, its palate is likely to prefer food with a little more flavor than what you’re putting out for it. So, you need to stop feeding your cat leftovers from the table.
Your cat might not be eating its new food because it thinks that it’ll just get its fill of treats across the day. If your cat refuses to have dinner, try withholding the treats for a while so it doesn’t rely on the treats to satiate its hunger.
Make a planned routine to feed your cat. Present them with treats occasionally. Keep Make sure you don’t overfeed or under feed your cat. Keep the portions of the treats low, so that they don’t get used to the taste soon. You can also browse the Internet for healthy diet for cats. Following a healthy diet routine will help keep your cats healthy and fit. The above mentioned tips will help you keep your cat happy at the same time healthy too.
Being a pet owner has numerous responsibilities, especially if your dog or cat has fleas. Fleas are parasites that suck on the blood of the host. The infestation can be a problem in one’s home, which could eventually lead to sore wounds, allergies, and diseases.
If one notices a flea infestation, they must act on it immediately. There are some home remedies to get rid of fleas. Some of these are listed below:
This home-based remedy is great as it creates a trap for fleas with dish soap and water. All you would need to do is fill a bowl or dish with a mixture of dish soap and warm water. Then, place this mixture in the room with the most flea infestation. This mixture acts as a glue and traps the fleas as it has high viscosity. Repeat this method a few times with a fresh solution every night. It is best to use this home remedy at night as fleas are nocturnal and are most active at nighttime. This remedy works more effectively if one keeps a candle near the mixture, as insects get attracted to light.
If you continue to struggle with the infestation of fleas, you should also consider vacuuming your house regularly. This is a great way to help you get rid of fleas from furniture, carpets, and your pet’s bedding. You can boost this process by sprinkling baking soda around the affected areas before you vacuum the place. One should sprinkle baking soda on furniture and carpets as well. This then needs to be rubbed into the fabric with a hard brush. Once that is done the entire home needs to be vacuumed well. Make sure the contents of the vacuum are emptied in a trash can that is located outside one’s home.
Additionally, you can even consider substituting salt with baking soda to help get rid of fleas. Salt acts as a dehydrating agent, which kills fleas effectively. In order for the salt to reach every nook and cranny, grind the salt into a fine powder and sprinkle it all over the affected room, especially the carpets. The salt then needs to be left undisturbed for a couple of days after which it can be vacuumed. The contents of the vacuum then need to be emptied in a trash can outside one’s home.
Lemon is another effective home-based remedy to trap fleas. For this home-based remedy, one needs to make a mixture of lemon juice and spray it on the furniture that has been infested. To prepare this flea spray all you would need to do is boil a pint of water with a thin slice of lemon in it. This citrus solution then needs to be kept overnight before use. You can then use it around the house in areas that are affected and on furniture like chairs, sofas, your pet’s bedding, etc.
Apart from home remedies, dog collars are a great way to keep ticks and fleas at bay. They are simple to use and help protect your pet from infestations for months at a time. Here are the top three anti-tick collars out there.
Hartz UltraGuard Plus Reflective Orange Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs and Puppies
Hartz’s lightly scented and water-resistant collar is everything you need to keep ticks away. Not only does it kill fleas and ticks before they can affect your canine, but it also prevents their eggs from hatching for up to seven months. It also has a reflective strip for better protection of your pet at night.
Seresto Flea and Tick Collar For Dogs
This odorless and non-greasy collar is effective for up to eight months, thus eliminating the hassle of changing your dog’s anti-tick collar every month. Besides treating ticks and fleas, Seresto fleas ticks collar for dogs works well against sarcoptic mange and lice.
TevraPet ProAct Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs
With 12 months of effective treatment against ticks and fleas with a single collar, say goodbye to traditional medication and monthly collars. TevraPet’s collar protects your dog from fleas and ticks before they can even harm it. Moreover, it is odorless, non-greasy, and super comfortable for your dog.
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