It's about this time of the year that I get bombarded with inquiries from people regarding their dogs troubled skin. Fall is in the air...and the fluctuating weather sure can aggravate fur coats & skin conditions.
There's a variety of skin issues that are fairly common to our four-legged friends. Dry/flaky/scratchy skin, dandruff, hot spots, acne and in more extreme cases psoriasis, & eczema. Vets will often recommend everything from an anti-inflammatory, steroids or medicated shampoos. But there are several steps you can take to help treat the actual cause of these issues and clear up skin for good.
The Skin Soothing Recipe
- A clean, grain-free, high-quality Diet
- Dairy-free, soy-free, wheat free, refrigerated Probiotic
- Soy-free, cold pressed Fish Oil supplement
- Cleavers Herb supplement (or fresh leaves)
How do these work together?
Food: well we all know that grains can be the cause of, or at the very least aggravate skin issues, so I always recommend that diet is cleaned up with a dog that suffers with skin issues.
Probiotics: very important for overall health & immunity, it's important to read the label and ensure there is no ingredients that could cause further agitation, such as wheat, soy & dairy. And does refrigeration matter? Yes! Current studies show that 100% of refrigerated probiotics are still viable at the time of consumption as apposed to 50% of those that were not refrigerated**
Fish Oil: this supplement on it's own can aid greatly in coat & skin health. We recommend a fish oil with an EPA:DHA ratio of 180:120. Dosage: 1000-2000/mg per every 20lbs
Cleavers Herb: This fabulous little herb can work wonders on the body! It is effective at cleansing toxins & waste from the lymphatic system. Skin will feel & look fabulous after Cleavers! If you can, try to find an alcohol-free tincture. Dosage: 3 dropper fulls per 20lbs twice a day.
If you find yourself needing something right away to help soothe skin while you start your new regimen, consider a soothing fur balm like this one from Pal Dog (we love this one because you can share it)!
Here's to your Pup having Happy, Healthy skin all winter long!
Holistic Canine Nutrition & Behavior Solutions
** S. Berman & D. Spicer : Safety and Reliability of Lactobacillus Supplements in Seattle, Washington (A Pilot Study) . The Internet Journal of Alternative Medicine. 2003 Volume 1 Number 2
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