Itchy & Scratchy Pets

Why does my pet scratch so much?

The most common cause of itchy skin for dogs and cats is allergies.  It is difficult to diagnose allergies, so it is a good idea to rule out other possible causes first.  Rule out fleas with a thorough flea combing.  Your veterinarian can help you rule out a bacterial or fungal infection, or a mite infestation.  If these causes of itchy skin
have been ruled out or eliminated and your pet is still scratching, chances are your pet has allergies.  If this is the case, the easiest (and often most effective) step to take is to alter your pet’s diet.  Feeding a hypoallergenic diet can lessen the number of allergens your pet is exposed to, and radically improve their health.

What should I feed my pet?

If you suspect you are dealing with allergies, an elimination diet can help determine if there is a food allergy.  In order for an elimination diet to be effective, it is mandatory that your pet does not eat any ingredient of their old diet for at least the first 8 weeks.  The new food, chews and treats must be made of a novel protein source and grain (or be grain-free).  Almost all pet foods contain poultry, wheat, and rice so these foods must be avoided.  The staff of The Healthy Pet can help you select foods, snacks and chews that are appropriate for your pet.  It takes 8 weeks on ONLY the new food before the symptoms will subside.  A potential exception to the elimination diet is raw meat; usually meat that is an allergen when cooked will not cause a reaction when raw.

Is there anything else I can do to decrease the itching?

Yes!  The skin is inflamed from the constant irritation of scratching and chewing.  Natural anti-inflammatories can help break the cycle of irritation that causes your pet to scratch and chew more.  Some of our favorite natural anti-inflammatories include MSM, Grape Seed Extract, and Essential Fatty Acids like Salmon or Sardine oil.

It is also common for pets to not fully digest their food when they are eating a cooked or processed (like canned or kibbled food) diet.  These partially digested proteins can over-stimulate the immune system and lead to allergies.  Digestion can be improved by feeding a raw meat based diet or by using digestive enzymes on cooked and processed foods.

If your pet has scratched so much that there are now “hot spots” or sores, we have some topical products to help soothe the skin.  However, it is important to remember that the source of the itching is usually from inside the body.  Topical treatments are simply helpful, they do not cure the underlying problem.

Antihistamines may help keep your pet comfortable until the change in diet takes effect.  Check with your veterinarian to see if antihistamines would be a good idea for your pet.      

Dr. Doreen Hock – The Healthy Pet – www.thehealthypet.com – info@thehealthypet.com