It’s that time of year again. Lots more hours in the day for walkies - WOO! But those dreaded allergies are flaring up too. The not-so-good bit of a dog’s life.
Yes, we all love a good scratch and a lick but there may be something more to it than an annoying little itch. Especially if you’re witnessing us show some telltale signs, affectionately referred to as “the tail chase”, “the bum shuffle” or even just mentally gnawing away at our own paws.
Don’t be too quick to jump to conclusions and write us off entirely after searching our symptoms online. Let’s be honest, we’ve all done it and Google more often than not suggests that we’re dying. Fear not! It could be something as simple as needing a flea treatment or taking a look at what we’re eating.
TOP TIP… That being said, if you are worried about your woofer, you should always get in touch with the vet to check your pet! Trust your gut on that one.
Some of the most common culprits for causing us to itch are:
Seasonal Allergies
Is your pet itching after going on a walk or intensely licking at their paws? Like our hoomans, we too can be irritated by pollen, grasses and other environmental influences. Seriously, we keep an eye on that pesky pollen count too! If you notice your pet suffering after your daily walk, this could be the reason.
We've recommended some fab products at the end of this blog to help with these irritants.
Food Allergies
Your pets could be suffering due to the food they’re woofing down. The most common and troublesome foods for us furries are:
- Beef - yep, that one applies to me. Gutted.
- Dairy
- Wheat - and this one.
- Chicken
- Egg
- Soy
- Lamb
If you suspect any of these are causing your dog some problems, it would be worth looking into an elimination diet to see if you are able to manage your dog’s allergies a little better. An elimination diet is the process of removing certain ingredients from your dog’s diet that they may be intolerant or allergic to. Then, you reintroduce them, one by one, until you’re in a position where you can understand what they’re reacting badly to.
Things such as grains and meats are common offenders to look out for. As it turns out, I was allergic to rice and beef all this time! Other factors that can cause sensitivities are artificial preservatives and colourings, soy, dairy and wheat.
Once you’ve got your current ingredients list together, I’d advise starting a new diet that doesn’t include ANY of them (ideally) and creating a food journal.
Now I know what you must be thinking - what else am I supposed to give my pup besides common proteins?
Allow me to introduce you to the world of ‘novel proteins’ - i.e proteins that your dog has probably never tried before, such as squirrel, kangaroo, ostrich, horse and wild rabbit. They are AWESOME.
I have probably tried every novel protein known to man, and it’s actually all that I eat now - they’re super lean too for those of you looking for low-fat alternatives. Sorry horses & kangaroos, I know you’d kick my butt in real life.
The golden rule - try sticking to foods with as few ingredients as possible as there is less of a chance of it causing problems. You could try a DIY diet, both cooked and raw, like mum does, as few commercial foods contain only one protein with no other ingredients.
An elimination diet can be a lengthy process, but the end result is definitely worth it. I mean look at me now! Mum tried me out on all sorts of stuff, and now my number twos are a beautiful thing to behold, or so she tells me. Nutter.
There are also some wonderful benefits to swapping for a raw diet, our pals over at The Golden Paste Co wrote a great blog which you can read here, but find what works for you.
Product Allergies
Most commonly responsible for these itching fits can be our bedding.
We apparently spend on average about 10 hours a day sleeping. I’m not convinced. I spend at least that much time barking at people walking past the window.
But anyway, those comfy cushions or blankets we like to snuggle into are prone to housing all sorts of dust mites and other nasties. Make sure to clean them regularly on a nice hot wash but avoid fabric softener as that can also be an irritant.
Fleas, Mites or Bites
A royal pain in the backside for both us and our hoomans! Here at EPP HQ, we are very much huge fans of the ‘Ole Natural’ treatments and preventative products, which there are many of, but it’s rare that they will actually eradicate these pests before they piggyback onto us for a free chow down.
We have a wide range of pawsome products available in our shop that can tone down those tingles and itchy bits like:
TurmerItch for Dogs™ A delicious, easy to feed, alternative way to provide your pet's skin and coat supplement, specifically formulated to enhance the bioavailability of all the key ingredients.
Dorwest Soothe & Calm Shampoo A naturally soothing, moisturising and calming shampoo, ideal for sensitive skin.
Dermadog Itchy Dog Shampoo & Soap Bars Itchy Shampoo is made from a certified organic, SLS-free base and contains 100% pure essential oils of lavender, eucalyptus and peppermint, to help dogs with itchy and/or sensitive skin.*Licensed flea treatments can be purchased from your vets.
I hope you’ve found our first blog post helpful. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter below to be the first to hear about all our news and products. You can also come follow us on Instagram.
Until next time,
Paws Out 🐾
