Does your dog constantly scratch, lick, or rub against furniture, leaving you puzzled and them uncomfortable? Itchy skin in dogs is a common and frustrating issue. What your dog eats plays a significant role in alleviating their discomfort. The right diet works wonders in supporting healthy skin and reducing itchiness naturally.
If you’re searching for a natural anti-itch diet for dogs, Ben’s Barketplace has got you covered in this guide. Below, we’ll explore the benefits of a natural diet for itchy dogs and specific food options for a scratch-free and happy pup.
Why Does My Dog Have Itchy Skin?
Itchy skin, or pruritus, can be caused by allergies, nutrient deficiencies, processed carbohydrate ingredients in traditional dog food. Common triggers include allergens like corn, soy, wheat, or low-quality protein sources. Dogs also react to preservatives or artificial additives. Investing in a diet tailored for skin health can be the first step toward relieving these symptoms.
Benefits of a Natural Anti-Itch Diet for Dogs
Switching to a raw diet, a nutrient-dense natural diet is one of the best things you can do for your dog. That’s the reason we carry the highest quality dog food brands available in North America. Some of the many benefits of a natural anti-itch diet for your dog’s skin and coat health include:
- Reduced Allergies and Irritation: Eliminating common allergens like grains or artificial additives soothes inflamed skin.
- Improved Digestion: Foods rich in healthy proteins, fats, probiotics, and limited ingredients aid digestion, supporting overall health.
- Hydrated, Healthy Skin: High-quality fats like balanced omega-3s and omega-6s restore moisture and reduce dry, flaky skin.
- Lustrous Coat: Balanced nutrients and essential oils help maintain a shiny, soft coat.
What to Feed a Dog with Itchy Skin
Our team can help you find the best food for your dog’s itchy skin. Some of the top options when considering dog food for itchy skin or creating a natural anti-itch diet for your pup include:
- Preformulated Raw Diet: The raw diet is the species correct diet for the dog and cat. Their diet, by mother nature’s design, is raw, muscle meat, raw organ meat, bones, fat and very low carbohydrates. When combined in the proper amounts, the pet will thrive to their highest level possible.
- Preformulated Raw Freeze Dried Diet: Is the very same as the frozen raw diet with the moisture being removed through the freeze drying process. Freeze drying can be more convenient since it can be stored in the pantry, but the process does raise the price of the food as well.
- Grain-Free or Limited Ingredient Dog Food: Grains like wheat, soy, and corn are common culprits of skin irritation. Opt for grain-free or limited-ingredient diets that avoid fillers. You can try freeze-dried raw diets made with human-grade ingredients, high-quality dry kibble, and foods with healthy fats.
- Novel Proteins: Sometimes, dogs develop sensitivities to common proteins like chicken or beef found in most commercial foods. Switching to a novel protein like duck, bison, rabbit, or kangaroo can help reduce skin issues. These proteins provide essential amino acids while minimizing the risk of allergies. Although the protein is routinely not the culprit, the high carbohydrate level, the binders of the kibble, tend to become the issue.
- Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes: Skin allergies are often linked to gut health. Healthy digestion ensures your dog absorbs the nutrients needed for optimal skin and coat health. Try yogurt made for dogs, probiotic powders or supplements designed specifically for pets, and lightly cooked raw diets that are gentle on digestion, especially for the geriatric animals.
- Antioxidant-Rich Foods: Antioxidants play a key role in reducing inflammation caused by environmental allergens. Fresh fruits and vegetables offer a healthy, natural dose of antioxidants. Nutrient-packed options include blueberries, sweet potatoes, and spinach.
Holistic Feeding Tips for Optimal Results
Changing your dog’s diet isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. For best results, keep these tips in mind as you transition to a new anti-itch diet for your dog:
- Transition Slowly: Switch your dog’s food gradually to avoid upsetting their stomach. Start by mixing 33% new food with 66% of their old food and increase the new food portion over 3 days. 50% to %50 for 3 days and 33% old to 66% new for 3 days.
- Provide Plenty of Water: Hydration is key for healthy skin. Ensure your dog has access to clean, fresh water at all times.
- Regular Grooming and Baths: To soothe skin, pair a healthy anti-itch diet with regular grooming and baths, using a non-oatmeal-based shampoo. Oatmeal is a grain and increases an ich response. Use a hypoallergenic shampoo and never bath more than every six weeks. Dogs do not have pores in their skin and it takes six weeks for the skin to rehydrate.
- Monitor Progress: After introducing dietary changes, monitor your dog’s skin and coat. Reduced scratching, shinier fur, and a happier demeanor are signs of improvement.
Avoid These Ingredients at All Costs
Not all dog foods are created equally. For the best results, consult a nutritional expert to ensure your dog gets a balanced diet. Your veterinarian is NOT a nutritional expert. The vast majority tow the corporate line for the far inferior foods. If your dog has itchy skin, steer clear of brands that use the following harmful ingredients:
- Unspecified meat by-products.
- Artificial preservatives like BHA or BHT.
- Artificial flavors and colors.
- Corn, soy, or wheat fillers.
Visit Ben’s Barketplace Today
Creating a diet to alleviate your dog’s itchy skin may feel overwhelming, but the solutions are simple when focusing on high-quality, natural ingredients. At Ben’s Barketplace, we specialize in offering the highest threshold, raw, freeze dried, dry and canned pet food available in North America. All free of harmful additives like corn or artificial flavors that often irritate dogs’ sensitive skin. Visit us at one of our many locations, or contact one of our nutrition experts to find the perfect food for your furry friend.