Itchy dog skin?

My dog has been driving me crazy lately by constantly itching and especially chewing on her paws. I've read up on the dermatitis and allergies and all that. I'm pretty sure it's seasonal allergies since it's just flared up now that we've gotten some rain the grass has grown back. But does anyone know if Nutro Lamb and Rice formula is a fairly hypoallergenic food? I know it could be a food allergy too so I'd like to rule that out as well. Otherwise, we'll try all the shampoo and vitamin remedies until her vet appointment. Thanks!

Itchy dog skin?
hi - firstly I sympathise, I have a dog with allergies and know how frustrating it is to work out what's causing it.





Has the dog seen a vet? The only way to work out if it's a food allergy is for the vet to start them on an exclusion diet. Unfortunately there's no such thing as a hypoallergenic diet, as it all depends on what the allergy is. For example, a dog with a chicken allergy will do well on lamb and rice based foods, but a dog (like mine) who has a rice allergy, will not do well on it.





Saying all that, symptoms in the feet and underside of a dog often (but not always) points to a contact allergy - often grass, but sometimes from the washing powders used on their beds, or other things they come into contact with.





I think the best step to take in this case is to book an appointment with the vet (as you have) to discuss working out what's causing the allergy (there are tests available) and then putting a treatment protocol into place.





In the meantime keeping a diary of when her symptoms are worst and what she's been in contact with and eating can often really help pinpoint what she's allergic to.





Best of luck - it's often a frustrating time until you work out what the cause is!
Reply:Try a shampoo that's moisturizing, maybe even use a conditioner??





Nutro is pretty good, but the allergies are usually from the additives and preservatives they put in the food. Try organic if you can.





As much of a pain in the butt as it may be, the easiest way to 'weed out' food allergies, is to cook for your dog. Start with plain chicken boiled, and brown rice. Keep her on that for about 6 weeks, then split 3/4 cooked 1/4 dry food for a week. See how she does with that, then try 1/2 %26amp; 1/2, eventually getting her 100% back on the dry food. Keep a very close eye on her (maybe even keep a diary) once you start putting her back on the dry food.
Reply:Many things are not answered by your question. How often do you bathe him/her? Dog skin needs all the oils that are produced in it and they are removed by constant bathing often times. Most people do not like dogs odor but it is a natural thing, there to protect them. DO have a vet look at your dog and make sure he is a skin specialist.
Reply:Well, first, I'd take her to a vet to rule out allergies. Most animal allergies are external, by the way, not usually food-related, and it's very hard to tell.





But for immediate relief there's a very cool pet itchy-skin spray by HealthyPetNet. I had some with me this week when I was visiting with a friend and she had big blotches from something she'd gotten into. Mind you, she's a human, not a dog.





All I had was this pet spray so we looked at the ingredients and they seemed like the kinds of holistic things you'd use for humans -- chamomile, etc. So we sprayed it on her.





It *immediately* knocked out her itching. Completely.





So I'd say, man, if it was made for dogs but works that well on humans, it's probably really does work on the dogs!





I think you can get some on the site below, go to the "animal" link.