Scratching. There’s the kind of scratch that every dog loves – the scratch behind the ear whilst sitting at your feet on a lazy winters day, or the glorious full body scratch as they throw themselves, belly up, on the freshly cut lawn. But there is also the kind of scratching with our doggos that’s as vicious as the real housewives at reunion episode.
Unknown to many dog owners, eczema, skin allergies and doggy dermatitis will occur in most of our pups lives at least once. But how to spot it and treat it naturally without any adverse side affects? Here’s where our S.P.O.T. four step method comes in.
S is for SPOT. If you find your dog is scratching, rubbing their face/nose/ears, chewing at their paws or skin you need to examine their skin to find where the itchiness and irritation is coming from. Common visible symptoms that you’ll find in dogs that have eczema include:
- Dryness or flaking
- Redness or rash
- Hair loss
- Hot spots, lesions and open wounds
P is for PROTECT. Once you notice your dog has skin allergies, the first thing you can do is look at the environment they live in. Pin pointing the underlying causes of their allergies helps reduce (and can even eliminate) their dermatitis. Like us, dogs can have a variety of things they’re allergic to but known culprits include:
- Flea, tick, and insect bites
- Plants (including cut flowers and indoor plants)
- Harsh shampoos and treatments
- Dog food and treats – corn, wheat and soy are common allergens in dogs
- Cleaners and chemicals within the home
O is for OBSERVE. Experiment with removing or replacing the suspected allergens and watch your dog for changes:
- Try the obvious causes first such as insect infestations, by thoroughly cleaning all bedding, toys and collars.
- Look up toxic plants for dogs and ensure any of these plants within your dog’s home are out of their reach (watch for dropping pollen and leaves too).
- Replace your cleaners with natural versions – especially your floor cleaners that come into most contact with your dog.
- Review your dog’s food with your vet to ensure they are on a safe, low allergen diet.
T is for TREAT. The most important and final step: treating your dogs skin allergies improves the condition, and just as importantly, gives your dog comfort by reducing their irritation and pain. This step is the one that your dog will love you the most for! When looking for ongoing eczema treatments you need to look for the following:
- Made for animal use (never use human medical products or shampoos on dogs)
- Free from artificial perfumes, colorants and preservatives (that can exacerbate allergy symptoms)
- Safe for canine consumption…because you know your dog is going to try to lick it!
- A combination of ongoing treatments (such as a shampoo) and spot treatments for flare ups (such as a soothing balm and rash treatment)
The Eczema Company for Dogs
The Eczema company are experts in eczema treatments and have expanded their already wide range of human products to release their own range of doggo eczema products to soothe your pooch.
Included in that range is The Furry Friend Pet Shampoo and the Herbal Rash Cream for Dogs & Cats.
What we Loved:
- Made from completely natural products – no fragrances or colorants, and preservative and GMO free.
- All natural – contain organic oils and certified safe herbs.
- The pet shampoo is gentle enough for all dogs and is unscented – perfect for your dog’s sensitive smell. Lathers easily and rinses simply, making bath time easy.
- The rash cream and balm is a lovely, creamy consistency that is easy to apply with no mess.
- The whole range is 100% lickable, meaning it’s totally safe for your dog to lick off.
- It works! The range helps effectively treat eczema, reduce redness and itchiness.
To read more about doggo dermatitis and skin allergies in dogs, check out The Eczema Company’s blog where they have tips, tricks and treatment advice for dog dermatitis.
Brought to you by The Eczema Company – we received a shampoo and skin soother for review and all opinions are our own.
The post How to Treat Skin Allergies in Dogs Naturally appeared first on Pretty Fluffy.
Poop4U Blog
via www.Poop4U.com
Serena Faber Nelson, Khareem Sudlow
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