Do dogs always seem to scratch?
What about when they scratch more than you consider normal?
They might be constantly shaking or trying to rub against furniture, making them uncomfortable and causing skin rashes.
This is a sign you may have a problem.
Your vet may just dismiss the extreme itching as allergy symptoms.
Is it actually allergies?
How can you be certain?
Because allergies can be easily explained why your dog itches 24/7, they are often used as a scapegoat.
It is surprising that allergies in dogs are very rare, but dog owners are often told that their pets are allergic all the time.
I want to concentrate on the real reason why dogs itch.
Itchiness in dogs: Are there allergies?
It can be difficult to understand allergy symptoms in dogs. What causes the allergic reaction?
It could be allergies.
This is because allergies symptoms can mimic other immune responses.
What you think of as allergies (itchiness, rashes, or other skin conditions), could actually be due to inflammation.
Where does inflammation begin?
Your dog’s gut.
Inflammation of the gut can lead to inflammation in your dog’s body. Inflammation can cause your dog’s immune system react like it’s being infected by a dangerous pathogen or allergen.
You may be seeing an itchy puppy because of the immune response.
Many allergy symptoms are actually connected to the health of the gut.
Although allergy medications and specialty shampoos may temporarily mask the symptoms, they don’t address the root cause.
(News Flash: They can make your dog’s stomach health worse!)
How can you tell if your dog is suffering from allergies? Is it allergies? Or is it inflammation of the stomach?
How to identify what’s causing your dog’s itch
It can be difficult to determine the reason for your dog’s itching, especially if allergy treatments seem to be working.
These treatments won’t provide long-term relief for your dog.
You can expect itchiness and other symptoms to return as soon as you stop using those treatments.
Because your dog’s gut health is directly linked to their overall health. Poor gut health can lead to a variety of conditions, including chronic diseases, weight problems, digestive problems, and…
You guessed it…
ALLERGIES!
Because toxins in foods and other substances your dog may ingest must be released. When organs such as the digestive tract are having trouble releasing these toxins, the skin, which is the largest organ of the body, will attempt to help your dog.
This is why symptoms such as allergies and digestive problems can look like they are.
Some dogs can have allergies, but don’t get me wrong. To determine if your dog may have allergies to food or environmental factors, your vet will perform blood tests.
However, allergies such as itchiness and itching are more often caused by general inflammation. This is related to poor gut health.
You are only masking the problem if you don’t address the root cause of your dog itchiness…their gut.
How to Prevent and Treat Itchiness in Canines
Diet is the only way to heal inflammation and improve the health of your dog’s stomach.
You are introducing toxic substances to your dog’s system by giving them kibble.
This is why I have become a firm believer in the raw dog food diet.
Doggy Dan, my dog has been eating processed kibble for many years. Is this why it is now an issue?
Kibble is not good for dogs. It’s high in processed ingredients, and not very digestible.
Even “premium” brands aren’t necessarily the best for your four-legged friend.
This is why I support the raw dog diet. It includes organ meats, muscles meats and whole or ground bones. You can also include yogurt and other dairy products.
These foods can be easily digested by dogs.
A raw diet eliminates many of the artificial allergens that may have been added to the kibble your dog was being fed.
You can make your dog’s overall health and gut health better by removing all those ingredients!
Learn more about raw dog food. You can read one of my blog posts about the raw diet for dogs and how to start it.
You can find more information on raw dog food in my podcast. I interview experts to help you decide what is best for your dog.
Search Results for: podcast raw food
If your dog is scratching at everything and anything, you might want to consider changing their diet.
To relieve your dog’s itching, you must first address the root cause and then improve their digestive health.
Here’s to a itch-free future.
Canine Gut Health: Why is my dog always itchy? The Online Dog Trainer.
