[YEA]  08/22/2008: Wilma from Venice, CA: "My dog was under medication for allergies about 6 months out of the year from Mar - Oct. Finally, I decided not to use steroids or antihistamines because I knew long term usage was not good. After reading the website, I started with ACV, especially after she would rub her face from itchiness and her eyes would start to get infected. I put it on the top of her head and it seemed to help the infection. But I was only holding it at bay because her eye and chin were red from itchiness. The improvement was that her belly was not red and raw from scratching and she still had her fur. My friend said to add raw garlic. Within one day, I saw marked improvement around her eyes. At first I was hiding it in meat but then I figured out I could put the ACV and raw garlic in her food and mask it with _____'s Amino acids. Well, that did the trick. Her eyes are beautiful again and so is her chin. No more rubbing her eyes and face raw."

03/04/2012: Pendragons from Southern Illinois, Il replies: "Please never feed your dog garlic in any form. It contains theosulphate which is a toxin for dogs. While small dosages may be fine, I would never take the chance."

[YEA]  05/10/2008: Carol from Swansea, MA: "I've use the sodium perborate three times in one week on my Rough Collie. Let's just say it has been over 24 hrs since I had to use benedryl which he's been on for over a month. He is still biting but to a minimal. I also placed him on Pinnacle fish and sweet potatoes diet and I put a fourth cup of raw meat for protein. We also spray 30 sprays of Collodial Silver into his food 1x daily. along w/some vitamins. I hope this progress continues and I'll keep all of you updated. Thank you, Carol St Martin."

[YEA]  03/31/2008: Keri from Kalispell, Montana: "After a year of constant yeast infections and allergies in my lab/aussie mix, someone told me to check the label on her dog food. Come to find out, Brewer's yeast was one of the number 1 ingredients. It seemed that the added yeast was making the problem worse. I switched dog foods to a product that did not list Brewer's yeast and have not had a yeast infection since. I don't know if this will work for everyone, but for anyone with animals prone to yeast infections, it's worth looking into."

12/28/2011: Sharon from Panama City, Fl: "I have a rescue westie who is 8 and came to me with black skin, itching and ear infections. The vet said allergies. I know she has had a poor diet and poor care so I have put her on the California westie diet that is vitamin E, barley, missing link, dream coat xtra c. Mix with lamb and rice food. Has anyone tried this diet with your westie ? It's been a week noticed a little difference but still rubbing her face and scratching some. Any advice ? I have another westie who has never had any skin issues. Thanks."

[YEA]  02/20/2012: Ecam from Paris, Tennessee replies: "I "inherited" a giant schnauzer 6 years ago. He was 3 at the time. He came to me with ears swollen and black inside, bleeding, scratching, etc. He's been a mess for years. We've done the allergy thing, the shampoos, the diet change, etc. After much research I determined his problem was a SEVERE yeast infection. My vet reluctantly prescribed him an oral anti-fungal.

I also started him on a RAW diet of venison, hardboiled egges, organic brown rice, and organic yogurt. He's like a different dog. I can't believe what has happened to him. He doesn't smell anymore, he doesn't itch, his ears aren't bothering him. When I bathe him - which is down from 2 x per week to once every 2 weeks - he doesn't have that nasty crusty black stuff on him. I'd recommend a raw diet to anyone. Just be careful of what you put in it. Stay away from anything starchy. I use organic brown rice so as to not put any gluten in his system. It's amazing."

08/15/2012: Carolyn from Panama City, Fl replies: "I am interested in contacting Sharon from Panama City, FL as I live in the area and have a rescue Westie also who is 5 with skin problems we're working on. If you could give her my email address and see if she will contact me. Thanks."

05/06/2010: Patti from Busan, S. Korea replies: "Thanks for your post. I am having a horrible time with food allergies and environment with my Maltese. Can you please let me know the name of the allergy test that you had done. I want to request it for my dog when I travel to Canada next month. I am suspecting most of the same allergies, also. Knowing what to serve her would be a great help in solving her problems."

10/30/2010: Julie from Coventry, England replies: "Hi, I refuse to use flea treatments such as frontline and advocate. Full of poisons. Same goes for wormers. Ivermectin is killing Collie and Collie cross breeds. The best natural treatment is sprinkling Cayenne pepper and Tumeric into my dogs food, no ticks or fleas. Another of God's little miracles."

07/10/2012: Sharon from St. Cloud, Florida, Usa replies: "Who would have ever thought dogs can be allergic to CHICKEN? Our Jack Russell had skin condition due to allergies and it took years to discover he could not tolerate chicken. He seemed better in the cooler months, can't explain, but true. Problems began in the spring with his feet, they began itching. It continued until his entire body was itching to the point, he chewed hair off huge portions of his body, one entire side was bald. It was suggested to remove chicken from his diet, he began improving. It worked! The poor dog has suffered enough. Finally, he is normal for the first time in his life. I regret it took me so long to find the answer. If you've tried everything, and I mean everything, remove chicken from the diet and hopefully it works for your pet."

12/01/2012: Miss Lori from Charlotte, Nc replies: "Thanks Sharon I have a Russel/Beagle that shares a very similiar seasonal allergy experience as yours and has now extended into winter which it had never did before. Thanks for the tips. Think I wil try Halo brand Lamb Recipe food and see how its works & sprinkle some ground flaxseeds on it(natural source of omega-3). I'm also giving him a colloidal oatmeal bath(ground up oats to bath water for a soak after I wash him with a natural shampoo, & a natural oil in the rinse water like glycerin or sweet almond oil.. and no it doesn't build up on his coat if anyone's wonders).

Thanks again for your tips. I truly believe fixing our pets from the inside out will help & lesson the need for harsh meds..."

08/08/2008: Joyce from Joelton, Tn replies: "Hi Laura. Apple cider vinegar will not harm your dog, either internally or externally. Just use it wisely and avoid getting any in his eyes."

08/10/2008: Christina from Brevard, N.Carolina replies: "This is in response to your dog having a rash & irritated skin. Someone just told me today that they use Aloe Vera Gel on their dog for this.
This is the only thing they have found that works well. It's worth a try anyway..I wish you the best."

08/19/2008: Laura from Katy, TX replies: "Dear Christina from Brevard, N. Carolia..

08/10/2008: Christina from Brevard, N.Carolina replies: "This is in response to your dog having a rash & irritated skin. Someone just told me today that they use Aloe Vera Gel on their dog for this. This is the only thing they have found that works well. It's worth a try anyway..I wish you the best."

I am very interested in this aloe vera treatment you suggested! So how would I apply the aloe? Just a thin layer over irritated skin? I want to make sure I do this right! Also, if Rio were to lick his skin and lick the aloe off would that be harmful? If you can let me know more about out it that would be awesome!! Thank you for your help!"

EC: If you use fresh aloe vera, it's doubtful your dog would lick it off because it tastes so bitter! Aloe Gel will contain other ingredients, which may or may not be safe.

09/11/2009: Celleste from Penang, Malaysia replies: "re: Dog won't lick aloe off

EC, I thought it's interesting you mentioned that fresh aloe tastes so bitter that dogs won't lick it. My 3-yr-old toy poodle actually goes crazy for freshly cut aloe! I slice off the green outer layer, then rinse the inner 'jelly' thoroughly with filtered water, and he eats it like that. He just loves it. LOL. I also use it for wounds he has around his lips (it really works), and he keeps licking the aloe on my hand. Speaking of which, I gave my husband some fresh aloe to eat last night (he was curious what the aloe tasted like since our dog loves it so much :>). I asked him if it was bitter, and he said not at all. I'm now wondering if the aloe here tastes different.???"

EC: That's interesting -- the fresh aloe sold and grown in the USA is extremely bitter!!

10/30/2010: Julie from Coventry, England replies: "Hi, Laura, although your vet may have great credentials he maybe of the opinion that only drugs etc are the answer. In my opinion, your English Pointer needs his immune system boosting. Avoid booster jabs, wormers and flea treatments, these are just poisons your dog cannot cope with. Your food sounds good but try adding tumeric, cayenne pepper, ground flax seed (organic)@1tsp per cup of food, organic coconut oil, ester C@100mg per 10lbs body weight(non acidic vit. C)and natural vit e @100 per 10lbs body weight also add a good probiotic all these will reduce the inflamation in autoimmune disease. No carciogenic airfreshers and sprays and try washing his bedding in natural soap ie. Soapnuts. Bathing your dog use an oatmeal shampoo and if hot spots occur brew a strong cup of tea and dissolve an aspirin dab on skin 3-5 times a day. This old fashioned remedy dries and disinfects. Then try Aloe or calendula cream. Hope this helps."

03/31/2011: Pierre From Phuket from Phuket, Phuket/thailand replies: "Hi Julie, you are right wormers flea treatments are just poisons for the animals. I just dealing with hot spots and massive hear loss with my two golden retriever! Every thing looks great and in a day or two they get very bad, especially the old boy - 11 years. Bathing ACV with some borax hidrogene peroxyde. With Herbal shampoo give them big bath, with 15/20 min. Living with shampoo.. After the bath even worse! Then I go to the vet and buy Advocate from Bayer - flea and fam. killers! So I make down my dogs for couple of days especually the old one! I fill very bad! I stop to consult vet's ( in Thailand where I live now, no holistic vet or some who accept RAW food ) for least two years. Just week or two two dogs was in excellent shape, skin and overal health was pretty good! Appreciate any help! Thank you and god bless "

12/29/2012: Corrina from Truro, Ns replies: "I have a 3 yr old golden retriever who is suffering from severe hot spots.. Just when I get one under control another appears. Very frustrated and feel so bad for him. He seems to be worse after coming from grooming so I am wondering if he's allergic to something they are using. I also like the sounds of a RAW diet. What exactly do you feed your golden? I have him on fish oil and a probiotic. He was recently diagnosed with hypo thyroidism and takes a pill for it... today I just decided to give him some aloe vera juice with his food as I heard it can help the skin internally as well as externally."

07/26/2009: PugMomof3 from Phoenix, Az: "My pug, 3 yrs old, has had skin problems (itchy, scaly, smelly) since day 1. The other day I thought, maybe it's a digestion issue. Got her some digestive enzymes at the chain pet store, after one dose, I can see a difference! She's not eating herself alive!!"

[YEA]  08/16/2009: Carol from Flushing, Michigan Usa: "i have an 8 year old cat. about 2 years ago she developed sores and itching. and had several bald spots on her all over. the vets gave her injections to get rid of it but it was only temporay and they eventually came back. i decided to try fish oil capsules on her . i poked a hole in one twice a day and she loved the taste of the oil and soon all her sores and itching went away her fur grew back soft and full. it has been several months now and no more itching or sores."

[YEA]  06/07/2009: Ade from Cape Town, South Africa: "Dogs chewing and biting skin:

Hi, I own two Sher Pai's, one which chewed her skin to such a degree that the vet wanted to put her down. I have discovered that the Sher Pai's, Husky, and the Chow need fish oils and vegies in thier diet. By cooking up a pot of carrots, pumpkin, green beans, garlic and fish, I was able to make enough for three to four meals, which they ate daily for about two months. Now they eat this concoction twice a week. The difference in thier coats is unbelievable."

[YEA]  03/10/2007: Tanya from Newport, NY: "My dog gets severe itching 2x per year due to allergies. I usually take her to the vet to refill her prenizone?. I hate the way it affects her. Constant urinating, weird eyes, always real hungry & thirsty. I was sick of seeing her like that. I search the internet for a natural remedy. FLAXSEED OIL!!! It is a natural anti inflamitory. I gave it a shot. 1 tbls 2-3x per day in 1/2 cup of cottage cheese. Her allergy was gone in 2 days, (opposed to 1 week with the meds) & she had more energy. Please search the internet for more information on this all natural oil. You wont beleive it. Both for you and your pets. PS I'm trying the apple cider vinegar diet I found on this site, I will keep you posted on my progress. Thank You for this wonderful website."

10/11/2011: Kim from Coeur D'alene, Id: "Hi Everyone: I'm grateful to have found this page, and if HALF of what I'm hearing about ACV is true, my life and my Yorkies will change. Lily is 10. She was my mothers, who passed away 4 years ago so I adopted her. She is a precious gift that came with lots of skin issues. Lily has had "allergies" since she was very little and has been on more doses of anti-biotics and steroids than you can imagine. Living in South Florida she was not only allergic to grass and mold, but chicken. We changed her diet to Venison and Sweet Potato or brown rice but se is still chewing her feet, shaking her ears, goopy eyes, stuffy breathing. To make matters worse, when my mother passed, we now take her between our Idaho home and our Florida home so she is exposed to lots more airborne things and she is misrable.

Between me and my mother, we have spent THOUSANDS of dollars on her but how can you not. She has to be comfortable. We've been in Idaho since April and I've probably spent 3 thousand dollars on vet visits, medicine and cultures because nothing seems to be working. The last culture indicated she had a bacteria that was resistant to all traditional anti-biotics because she had been on them so many times that they don't work any more.

She is now on Chloramphenical oral and topical (which is so bad for humans that I have to wear gloves when handeling it. Very scary) Atopica, Fluconazole, Temeral P, topical steroids for her feet because she chews and eye stuff for the goop, AND NOTHING IS WORKING. She has pustules which the doctor said was common with Atopic Dermitis and her belly skin is turning black with darker patches, which he said was due to age, but maybe not. I have to stop this madness for both of us. I am going to change her food again and her treats because they have oats. I'll give her Coconut Oil and use Ted's solution to bath her and use the ACV for the eyes and feet. I cannot see her this way and it's making me crazy.

I'll keep you posted. Just started today.

Thanks for all the postings. We love our animals and need to keep them comfortable."

05/07/2013: In The Same Boat from Metairie, Louisiana, Usa replies: "We bought a tiny toy poodle that from day one has cost us thousands of dollars. He had vomiting and diarrhea for 2 or 3 years. Switched him to ZD dog food, hypoallergenic. Was fine with occassional allergies. Then took him to TN for vacation. Allergies never went away. Plus we had BP oil spill and burning oil in air. He gets yeast in ears. Been cleaning with diluted apple cider vinegar. Coat is dry. Constantly scratches ears, and licks feet. No hair loss or wounds. Starting a raw diet and have started adding flaxseed oil to his food. See bark website. Natural vet gives list of supplements that can be added to their food to help allergies. Acidophillus is one. Don't want to continue to give him benadryl (taking twice a day) because it just knocks him out. Don't want to give him steroids because of the possibility of muscle necrosis, as well as long term use can cause cushings disease."