| Is your dog's constant scratching driving him--and | | | | such as Linatone or Lipaderm. You can even put a |
| you--crazy? If your dog is continually licking, | | | | regular flax seed oil, salmon oil or other fish oil capsule |
| scratching, and gnawing at himself, dry skin may be | | | | or liquid in his food. Many people find that this simple |
| the reason. But what causes dry, flaky skin in dogs? | | | | addition to their dog's diet helps reduce shedding, |
| There can be a number of factors, including | | | | improve a dull coat, and relieve scratchy, flaky dry |
| inadequate diet, allergies, and more. It may take a | | | | skin. It has certainly helped my dog's itchy skin. |
| little detective work to figure out the root cause of | | | | Common Canine Allergies |
| your dog's itchy skin, but once you find it, you'll find | | | | In addition to food allergies, dust mites, fleas, and |
| the solution as well. | | | | flea bites are common reasons for constant |
| Start by Looking at Your Dog's Diet | | | | scratching. Typical signs of allergies include scratching, |
| If you are feeding your dog a generic dog food or | | | | licking his paws, rubbing his face, or watery eyes. If |
| supermarket brand, he may not be getting enough | | | | your dog is allergic to dust mites, vets suggest |
| nutrients and essential fatty acids to help keep his | | | | putting a plastic cover over your dog's bed, which will |
| coat shiny and healthy. Many store brands don't | | | | keep mites from getting in the bed. Wash your dog's |
| contain the optimum balance of protein, vitamins, | | | | bed cover frequently in very hot water. Don't let |
| minerals, and omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids | | | | your dog on upholstered furniture and avoid letting |
| which help keep your dog's skin soft, moist, and | | | | him play with stuffed animals. Vacuum very |
| healthy and his coat shiny. | | | | frequently to keep the dust bunnies away. |
| Experiment with one of the many premium brand or | | | | If your dog is scratching miserably, check him for |
| ultra premium dog food brands available at pet supply | | | | fleas. Some dogs are allergic to fleas and flea bites, |
| stores. Premium dog foods usually contain | | | | leading, to extremely itchy, inflamed skin. Use a flea |
| supplements such as flax seed, salmon oil, or other | | | | control product on him. There are several |
| fish oils, which contain essential fatty acids. These | | | | once-a-month topical flea control medications that |
| extra nutrients will benefit your dog's skin and coat | | | | work very well. Avoid flea shampoos, which can be |
| and relieve dry, itchy skin. Better dog foods are also | | | | very drying and can exacerbate dry skin and make |
| made from whole product, such as chicken, turkey, | | | | the itching worse. |
| and lamb, and do not contain by-products or fillers like | | | | Avoiding the allergens is the first line of defense. But |
| the cheaper foods do. Some dogs are allergic to | | | | if your dog needs relief from scratching now, try |
| corn, soy, wheat and eggs. If you suspect food | | | | giving him a bath with a gentle, soothing shampoo |
| allergies look for a dog food without these | | | | liked oatmeal shampoo. Hydrocortisone spray or |
| ingredients. | | | | shampoo may also help to relieve itching. If your pet |
| Essential Fatty Acid Supplements | | | | doesn't improve soon, check with your vet to see if |
| To give your dog an essential fatty acid boost, try | | | | your dog may have another underlying condition. |
| giving him a vitamin- and fatty acid-rich supplement | | | | |