Table of Contents
Itchy Skin Remedies for Dogs
Allergies remedies
Yeast infection remedies
Diets that help with skin allergies
DISCLAIMER
Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.
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| APPLE CIDER VINEGAR | 5 YEAS |
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
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[YEA] 02/02/2012: Julia from Melbourne, Victoria Australia writes: "Thank you all so much for the info on ACV. My Schnauzer has been scratching for quite a number of years. However she has been exceptionally bad for the past month. Recently I found a red spot in the groin area, black and red spots on her leg. I bought a bottle of ACV and started using on the night. The following I morning saw a huge improvement in both spots. The itching stopped almost immediately, she has become a much calmer and happier dog, it's like a miracle cure. Thank you all very much for your input."
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[YEA] 11/03/2011: Cindy from Gasport, Ny/usa writes: "My dog just started itching out of the blue this summer. I took him to the vet twice they told me it was allergies so I gave him benadryl that didn't help him at all. I think I tried every thing under the sun to give him relief. Nothing worked till I found this site about the ACV- to my surprise it worked. He has itched just a little bit since I put it on him today I think we both might get some sleep tonight thank you for the ACV remedy."
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06/21/2011: Linda from Belton, Mo writes: "I have 3 male cats. One 3 yrs old I'll speak of because he's 10 times worst than the other 2. He's biting and licking his hair and scratching all the time. At first we thought he became Alger to the food so we changed it. Then we realized it was fleas but there was not that many. Last yr I bathed him in ACV and it helped. Now he's licking his and biting his hair and scratching and sores all over. We did everything to the floors we could. I tried putting ACV in there water, food, no good. So I decided to get a eye dropper and gave him half and half water and ACV led up to 1 tablespoon. Is this to much or not enough, how often sould I give this to them? And what else could I try?"
Replies10/02/2011: Clay The Cat from Tallahassee, Fl replies: "RE: ITCHY CATIts probably WHEAT FLOUR/GLUTEN! Check his cat food, it is in almost everything. It is in the cat treats, even the pill pockets you give them to be able to take the medicine to help with the itchness. Once I cut this out of my cat's diet, the sores and itchyness went away. Iams wet food, salmon/tuna flavors don't have it, also those Appetizers don't have it, there are some brands out there, just read the labels. Good luck!"
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03/31/2011: Alabama from Andalusia, Alabama writes: "I HAVE TWO INDOOR DOGS, THEY HAVE NO FLEAS AND THERES BEEN NO CHANGE IN THIER FOOD BUT THEY ARE SCRATCHING CONSTANTLY, I HAVE TRIED EVERTHING, I WOULD LIKE TO TRY THE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR BUT HOW MUCH DO I GIVE THEM ONE WEIGHS ABOUT 30 # AND ONE WEIGHS ABOUT 10. ALABAMA"
Replies04/02/2011: Diamond from Salisbury, Ma.usa replies: "Alabama; You might want to try small amounts at first, try using the Apple Cider Vinegar which is natural, I use Braggs with(mother) organic, no one animal or human likes the smell because it's so strong, I use fish oil capsules and put it on top of the dogs food. Then try by putting some vinegar on the back of their neck. Because vinegar is all pure and natural I don't think it to be a problem of over dosing other than an issue with their organs, where that would take years to affect organs. Also it could be their dog food. I use Newmans own at big market basket but the vets also sell good can food;dogs need can for their coat, oils etc. Good luck."
[YEA] 07/06/2011: Jayne from Astoria, Ny replies: "WOW WOW and again WOW!! I love my cat soo much and I couldnt bear seeing her licking and biting at her shoulder. When I would scratch it for her she was in heaven.. Anyway if you need a quick remedy for itching... Apple cider vinegar (1/2 water 1/2 apv). Literally, within seconds my cat stopped tearing at her itchy skin. I put the combination in a spray bottle and gently sprayed it on her itchy area then I just gently rubbed it in a bit. wallah!! Many thanks to all you peole who advised of this remedy (well I heard it is a temporary fix, but for now its great) and to the ones who responded after use.love ninja ** MEOW"
08/29/2011: Atomiconion from Montgomery, Alabama replies: "on the itching dogs, rub the dog down firmly with diatomaceous earth every few days, put a pinch of cat claw powder in the water put powder at bottom then airrate when you put water in so it mixes and every time you change it they may not like at first but will aquire taste soon enough and most important put a slice of onion on forehead you may need a dog hat but until you can get it to stay on forhead find a way to put in something like a sock with holes in it tied around collar on back of neck I think there is a mycoplasma that feeds on frontal lobe and onion on forhead is only thing that kills mycoplasma all the other things just treat symptoms the mycoplasma allows the mites to live and breed kill the mycoplasma and the mites will go to. This will work and it takes time but the de earth and cat claw will give relief until you can kill mycoplasma. avoid ammonia and acids if you smoke go to organic because the ammonium nitrate in regular cigs makes this worse."
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[BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS] 01/27/2010: Kanika from Virginia Beach, Virginia writes: "Hi my six month old lhasa apso has been itchy now for over two months. I tried meds from the vet hot spot spray oatmeal shampoo but nothing worked. I then found this site and tried acv. Now I first washed her with the oats shampoo and then used one cup acv in one gallon water for the final rinse. I am also spraying her with one part acv with 2 parts water and also giving half teaspoon orally. I have done all of this in the last 2 days and her itching has gonne down by about 60%. I have however noticed that everytime i spray her with the mixture she gets very depressed and falls asleep. She seems very lethargic and I am wondering if the acv has anything to do with it. Also she has 3 very noticeable bald spots on her hind legs and although the itching has decreased it hasn't disappeared. I asked the vet and she has ruled out a yeast infection. My question is that can acv cause depression or a change in behaviour or in a nutshell can the acv have any side effects on my puppy. Also how long will it take for the itching to desappear completely if I continue to use acv?
I am very worried about my baby. I am glad that she isnt scratching and licking so much but I dont want her to be sad and depressed. Please help me Earthclinic."
01/31/2010: Tracey from Timberville, Va replies: "She is not depressed! she is exhausted from itching, and when she doesn't have to itch she is resting peacefully. imagine your whole day itching uncontrollably, and all the sudden you don't have to itch anymore. You would feel like whew! im exhausted! Shes clean just had a nice bath, warm, fed, and thankful. let her sleep."
04/30/2010: Steph from Marietta, Georgia replies: "I have a chihuahua that licks, and bits all her hair of her tail where it irritates her. I saw it closely and looks like she has little bumps. I am wondering if its an allergic reaction, because she gets this itch every spring. please help me to figure out what this cause of itch is from and how I can heal it. Please and Thank You!"
EC: Did you test the area with a flea comb? If you find black droppings, it may be a reaction to flea bites!
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[YEA] 09/21/2009: Christy from Chocowinity, Nc writes: "I recently read that ACV would help my dog with her scratching. I have been battling with this for years and spent several thousand dollars on trying to cure her but nothing worked. We tried RX food, supplements, shampoos etc... I sent my husband to the store to get some ACV and I mixed 50% V and 50% warm water in a spray bottle and applied it to my Shih Tzu. She immediately stopped scratching. It has been such a long time since I have seen her so relaxed and actually resting. I have not noticed any side effects yet. I also put it in her drinking water 4tsps per 2 cups of water to see how it works with repeling fleas. Thank goodness for ACV! Who would have thought that $3.00 would have saved me a lot of money at the vet."
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[YEA] 09/03/2009: Anonymous Coward from Boston, Ma writes: "Dog itching and vinegar treatment:
My dog was scratching his lower back furiously for the past few days to the point I knew I had to do something. I've been laid up in bed and only managed to go to the health food store to get unpasteurized apple cider vinegar, per the postings here, because the store had no doggie medicines.
I cut the vinegar with water, half and half, and sponged the mix on his back up to his neck, because the itching had spread upward. He is a small dog with short hair and so I just soaked the area and rubbed it with my fingers. Within minutes he stopped scratching. He did lick himself for a while off and on but then he want to sleep and didn't constantly wake up to scratch furiously like he had been. He didn't have raw or even red areas but there was a a tiny amount of granular material that might have been frass (bug doodoo) on the surface of his fur. The material was too uniformly small to have been some kind of skin or scab shedding.
I've given him four or five applications over the last few days and his itching is markedly reduced, to the point he doesn't scratch at all for hours. There is still a very tiny amount of the frass-like material but I have not seen anybody occupying his fur. And again, he has no redness or raw areas. Another interesting point is he's never had any skin-related conditions ever and he is eight years old. This came out of the blue and in a major way."
09/07/2009: Janet from Manchester, United Kingdom replies: "One of my four cats has had a skin problem on and off now for quite some time. It seems to come on every six months and I usually have to take him to the Vet for a steroid injection which does help but I have to do this every six months and as I have four cats it is quite expensive. At the moment Ginger is going mad scratching and pulling his fur out. His back is red raw but at the moment the Vet is not affordable. I have heard about rubbing with ACV but I was a little concerned that it would burn his raw skin so have been afraid to do this. Has anyone out there got the same problem and knows of a natural remedy please?"
09/08/2009: Angela from Sacramento, Ca replies: "For raw hairless fur rub an anti-fungul cream on your dogs back. hair will grow back. it works on my dog. rub it on entire area where hair is missing and watch how fast it clears the skin."
09/09/2009: Janet from Manchester, United Kingdom replies: "In reply to Angela, many thanks. I just wondered what type of anti-fungal cream you use?, as I am in the Uk. Do you use cream for people? I have purchased an 'anti itch' cream but so far it does not seem to have helped much. I feel so sorry for my poor cat... he will be bald before long! Any more suggestions please?"
12/23/2009: Stephanie from Eugene, Or replies: "I have a 7 month old puppy (a St. Bernard/Black Lab mix, coming in at roughly 95 pounds now), and over the past 2 months or so has been nibbling, furiously, at his backside, around his haunches and the start of his tail. My boyfriend and I noticed it and took a look at his skin, and he started getting small scabs around those areas he was nibbling. The vet attributed it to fleas, but Duke didn't have any fleas; someone suggested changing his food, but that didn't help either; I rubbed plain, unscented moisturizing lotion to the affected areas, and it seemed to help temporarily, but eventually the nibbling started all over again. I feel so bad for him, because it keeps him up at night, and I can tell it irritates the heck out of him. Any suggestions for stopping whatever is itching him, or does anyone know what could be causing it? Thanks!"
12/23/2009: Sarahc from New Canaan, Ct, Usa replies: "Hi, yes one of my dogs when through this about a year ago. Same small scabs on his rear end, top of tail. I bathed both dogs, worked temporarily, changed the food of the itchy and scratchy one. I also flea combed both dogs every day and never saw one flea dropping! A friend told me her dog was infested with fleas and it was a really big issue for everyone, so I figured possibly he had one flea running on him that I couldn't find. Even though I hate to put chemicals on him, I applied 1/2 a bottle of Advantage to his neck and a small spot on the top of his tail and the obsessively scratching stopped within 12 hours. I put the other half of the bottle on my other dog just in case. It worked. I'd guess you have a flea issue!"
[WARNING!] 01/27/2011: Ambercleveland from Indianapolis, In replies: "Specifically in regards to pets that look like they are scratching to the point where they have scabs, if you are feeding and watering them out of plastic bowls, switch to stainless steel. I had a dog that had a similar problem, turns out she had an allergy to something leaching into the water from her plastic dog dishes."
08/09/2011: Danielle S. from Duvall, Washington, Usa replies: "My name is Danielle and I have a 11 year old pug and for months now is constantly itching his chest and chewing on his front legs. There are huge hairless spots on his chest and are sometimes bleed and are really raw. They are also forming scabs. Recently I noticed he is getting it behind his ears too! I dont think its flees or ticks cause he is an inside dog. I have tried to regrow his hair and it started to work but he kept itching it and it didnt help much after that. I havent tried much and I need some advice on what to do!!!! Something to stop the itching and regrow the hairless areas. I dont know if its because of his old age or something else but I need some advice to ease the ithcing and scabbing PLEASE."
08/28/2011: Julie from Coventry, England replies: "HI, has he recieved any shots in the last 3 months if so that could be the reason give him homeopathic Thuja 30c to detoxify. If not it could be mites, sometimes ear mites are transfered when the dog scratches his ear. Either way I would use Thornit powder. We have it here in England. It is simply wonderful. I advise all my clients to use it. If you can't get any email me and I will try to sent you some."
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APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, ACIDOPHILUS
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[YEA] 09/30/2009: Laurag003 from Escondido, Ca writes: "What a difference 2 days makes! I have an 11 year old airedale, Oliver who has had a "skin condition" that I can trace back to February of this year. I too spent over $2000.00 getting my vets oppinion. Sterriods were the next stop and I truely debated this to atleast make him comfortable but the side effects are awful and could shorted his life - but what kind of life is suffering with this itching?! Nothing has helped until I read this site. I started Ollie on 1/4 c plain organic yogurt 1x daily. In his morning meal, I put the contents of 2 acidophilus tabs, pulled apart just inside contents along with his mixture of "avoderm" wet and dry food.(Great for Omega 3/6.) I also spray him with a mixture of 50/50 acv and plain water every night. He does NOT like this at all and I put a collar on him to keep him from licking/scratching. It takes him about 3 - 5 minutes to stop running around but the best part is - HE SLEEPS without chewing!! I also put 1 tlbs acv in all his water bowls. Everything I use is made for humans so if I start itching, I'd do the same thing. Thanks for a great site that allows feedback and imput from us moms and dads. I also let his vet know about the site and the treatment success. She was very happy not only for Ollie but will also let her other patients know about the success."
Replies08/08/2010: Lori from La Mesa, Ca replies: "Read your site a few months back suggesting apple cider vinegar (ACV) and acidophilus for skin problems tied to ear troubles. I tried it and am a believer. We have a female curly coated retriever (rescue) that is about 5 yrs old that has had itchy balding neck & shoulders and stinky infected ears since she was a puppy. We took all of the vet's suggestions the last few years and she "kind of" got better but never completely - and the problems always recurred. I went to the grocery store and bought a bottle of the house brand ACV and to Target for a bottle of acidophilus capsules. I open a capsule of the acidophilus and sprinkle it on her food in the morning, and pour a tablespoon of ACV on her food at night. (I'm not gonna lie, Curly was a little startled the first time I put the vinegar on her food, but when she eats, it's an olympic sport, so she dove right in. )I also started using Nizoral shampoo (ketoconazole 1%) once a week on her.
So there you go. This in what is working for us quite well thank you. Maybe it will work for you."
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APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, COCONUT AND TEA TREE OIL
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[BETTER BUT NOT CURED] 07/15/2010: Traveler from Santa Barbara, Ca, Usa writes: "Dog's Itchy Skin
So with the summer-time and my dog spending a lot of time out in the backyard, and the dog park, he has gotten itchy skin. I've checked him for bugs and haven't found any, yet one of his nipples was scratched raw, his armpits were all dark pink, and he had several hotspots which has sebum around the scabby parts. I did two things, and he's almost all the way better but not all the way cured:
1. I took apple cider vinegar (not with the mother, the store didn't have it) and cut it half and half with water and put it in a spray bottle. This he got sprayed with a couple times a day all over in the belief that it would keep the bugs away and maybe help the spots.
2. I grabbed virgin coconut oil and added some tea tree oil to it and rubbed him down and tried to hit his hotspots. I did this two times with as full of a full-body rubdown as I could, and then two or three more times just spot applying. The next day after applying it the first time, his armpits were hardly pink at all. A week later, I've checked his hot spots and his scabs are now in chuncks around his hair, but no longer attached to his skin. I brushed his coat and skin really well with a hard bristle brush trying to stimulate the skin and pull up the chunks and then went through and did it by hand. He's itching a lot less but he's not all the way cured. I'd probably put him at maybe 85% better."
Replies[WARNING!] 07/23/2011: P from Covina, Ca replies: "Please be VERY careful, anyone who is considering using tea tree oil on their dog. I tried this once and will never use it on my sweet dog again. It almost killed her! Some dogs have very severe allergic reactions to this topical oil."
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APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, YOGURT
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[YEA] 02/09/2011: Nelson from Farmington, Connecticut writes: "our mixed chow started with nibbling and chewing his paws.. He worked his way up the legs and within two months was hairless in his paws, legs and belly.. He was given steroids, 4 twice daily pills and a shampoo. We changed his diet to freshly cooked chicken and sweet potatoes. Nothing worked. Omar crawled everywhere to satisfy the belly itch. Scratch and chew.. Night and day. Spent close to one thousand dollars. I decided to try the Apple Cider Vinegar and yogurt.. In one day.. He is itching less and wagging his tail.. I sprayed a 50/50 water-acv onto the skin and worked it into the skin. I also now give him several tablespoons of plain yogurt.. He likes it.. I think this is going to help.. He has an appointment with a dermatologist that will be a few more thousand.. But I am banking on the acv. I will use this intill our appointment.. This has been his first night in many months that he appears happy and not so itchy.. G-d bless.. this has been a g-d send."
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02/09/2011: Nelson from Farmington, Connecticut writes: "our mixed chow started with nibbling and chewing his paws.. He worked his way up the legs and within two months was hairless in his paws, legs and belly.. He was given steroids, 4 twice daily pills and a shampoo. We changed his diet to freshly cooked chicken and sweet potatoes. Nothing worked. Omar crawled everywhere to satisfy the belly itch. Scratch and chew.. Night and day. Spent close to one thousand dollars. I decided to try the Apple Cider Vinegar and yogurt.. In one day.. He is itching less and wagging his tail.. I sprayed a 50/50 water-acv onto the skin and worked it into the skin. I also now give him several tablespoons of plain yogurt.. He likes it.. I think this is going to help.. He has an appointment with a dermatologist that will be a few more thousand.. But I am banking on the acv. I will use this intill our appointment.. This has been his first night in many months that he appears happy and not so itchy.. G-d bless.. this has been a g-d send."
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12/02/2009: Sara from Decatur, Ga writes: "Hello, My dog Jake is a rescue dog and has had itching issues since we got him a year and a half ago. He also has a large scar on his back by his tail that I think was caused by him and the itching. I am going to try a more holistic approach to finding a cure. I have taken him to the vet for a remedy but their suggestions brought no relief. He eats Eukaneuba dog food for adults and right now I can't afford to go out and buy him another dog food. So, based on what I've read, I'm going to do the following
1. add Apple Cider Vinegar to his water
2. spray him with the ACV on the areas that bother him the most and
3. add non-sugar plain yogurt to his food twice a day. about 2 tbls.
Thanks for all the information on this web-site. I'll post again in a month to let people know if this approach worked. I wish I could switch him to the raw meat, all orgainc diet but I've got to feed a house of people first, you know what I mean? If you have any other suggestions, please let me know. Thanks! I hope it works."
Replies02/07/2010: Melinda from Somerville, Nj replies: "My dog has the same prob's as yours did. But I have been doing the ACV and yogurt also I have been giving her salmon oil 2 pumps. And she has really gotta better. She still itching but not half as bad. So thanks, hope your dog is better!"
10/25/2011: Ruby from Seattle, Wa replies: "Even if you can't afford to change their food exactly, just find something that doesn't have chicken parts as the first ingredient.. Maybe lamb? or oats? there are a few common brands making some ok stuff at any grocery store.. and.. I was just watching the news the other day, and there was a story about a salmon allergy in dogs.. Specifically raw salmon. Just a thought, about the oil. Maybe try coconut oil. It's pretty yummy too. :)"
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BORAX, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
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[BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS] 01/17/2011: Roxies Mom from Atlanta, Ga writes: "My dog threw up after trying to lick herself and ingesting the borax & peroxide mixture. I will try with vinegar and see how that works. Not sure if this is safe, so I will update on her progress. I can say that after treatment she immediately stopped scratching which is a miracle for her. She is the itchiest dog I have ever seen! I really hope this works!"
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CATALYTIC ALTERED WATER
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[YEA] 02/09/2011: Sue from Nashville, Tn writes: "Regarding Pets with itching and other skin problems: I have several dogs that itch from allergies and flea bites from time to time so I keep on hand a spray bottle of catalytic altered water. My dogs' itching, painful cut or scrape is relieved and starts to heal in minutes. I have seen it heal a cut better than those creams that are sold and it doesn't burn. I have used it on my own skin burns, cuts, itching etc. And I use nothing else. I have also used it to make medication or ACV work better for my dogs. The water can be found on the internet; but don't be fooled by imitations there is only one that will work. 1 oz. of the clear will make 1 gallon for future use. A couple of sprays up to a few sprays work to heal quickly. I want everyone to know that this catalytic altered water is a safe miracle cure thats been around since the 1980's and was even the subject on a popular news television show back then. That show still exists."
Replies[NAY] 11/10/2011: Bugjackblue from Ny, Ny Usa replies: "Pure quackery. If you want to risk your own health by persisting in such delusion, go ahead, but you owe your dog a much higher level of responsibility than this."
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COCONUT AND OREGANO OILS
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[YEA] 03/26/2010: Heidi from Chicago, Il, Usa writes: "My chocolate lab was scratching herself raw. We adjusted her diet, got special lotions and shampoos from the vet, even steroids. Nothing worked. We hated seeing our poor dog suffer so we mixed 1/2 cup of coconut oil with 2 drops of oil of oregano, rubbed it on her sores. By the next morning she was barely scratching at all!! All the sores healed and she has been happy and itch free!"
Replies[YEA] 11/02/2010: Jb from Atlanta, Ga Usa replies: "One of my German Shepherds has an immune deficiency. I have tried everything natural under the sun but, will not resort to pharmaceuticals. I feed raw, organic, no grains. ACV in water. Still biting, itchy & scabby. One day I was desperate to find a solution for her raw skin. I mixed up about a 1/4 cup of organic extra virgin coconut oil & about 6 drops of ingestable Four Thieves oil blend. I rubbed it in lightly on all the areas affected. The Four Thieves I use is a well known brand, easily found on the Internet that can be ingested. Some are only for topical use, so be careful. I would not use on cats. It calmed the areas immediately. Redness disappeared. By the next day scabs were falling off. I now do this twice a day. She actually nudges me to the kitchen for her coconut rub. Though I alternate omega 3 fish oil, coconut oil, ground flax or oil, EVOO, chia, something in her system seems to resist utilizing the ingested oils. I have started adding digestive enzymes to her food to add in breaking down fats. If someone has experienced this same problem I would appreciate feedback."
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CORN STARCH
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[YEA] 11/20/2010: Pamela from High Springs, Fl. writes: "I had dachshund, that broke out with a skin rash, also my R. Ridge back, the Dr's started them both on cordacoze I didn't really like using the drugs. One day one of my friends saw his bleeding around his neck and stomach and suggested corn starch I got a hand ful of cornstarch and rub his neck and stomach and the next day he wasn't bleeding and 1 week later both dogs and no signs of the rash it was great. I was so excited this was so amazing, and I still use it today."
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DIETARY CHANGES
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[BETTER BUT NOT CURED] 10/10/2011: Denise from Stockton, Ca writes: "I went this website to see if Yogurt would be helpful for my dogs. I wanted to add that I use the herbal spice Turmeric every night in their food along with liquid aloe and I feed a totally grain free diet. It has really seemed to help. I have two very itchy boxers so I am always looking for ideas to help them."
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[YEA] 02/16/2010: Jill from West Long Branch, Nj writes: "Re: itchy skin dogs and cats
I was wondering if the Apple Cider Vinegar sprayed on the animals burns. It has got to hurt if the skin is raw. Also, organic coconut oil works great. Most times it is the food they are allergic too. After reading these sites I switched food and the fur on both my German Sheppards and 8 cats all changed for the better. My fat cats lost weight and look great.
My friends dog was scratching himself to death. She changed foods 4 times,, but each time it was another garbage type
food.
You must see:
http://www.petfoodratings.net/
http://www.consumersearch.com/cat-food/reviews"
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[YEA] 09/13/2009: Deirdre from Earth Clinic writes: "I have 3 dogs and took my 15 year old dog, Max, whom I've written about numerous times on this site, to a holistic vet in July. Because he was going #2 every 3-4 hours, the vet advised me to take him off his senior food and put him on another brand of food with less fiber. I slowly switched Max to another holistic brand. Well, changing to a new brand of food cured Max of his constant bowel movements, but within a few days, one of my other dogs, Tuxy, whom I also switched over to the new food, started itching and scratching. Within a week he was itching and scratching like no tomorrow: morning, afternoon, evening, middle of the night, scratch scratch scratch, bite bite bite. Poor boy! I surmised pretty quickly that the new brand of food was causing his new itchy skin issue, as I found no sign of fleas on him when I used the flea comb. What eased the scratching but did not solve the problem was to add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to Tuxy's evening food and a small clove of garlic mashed up just once every few days. I also bathed him and finished the bath with an oatmeal rinse. I put 1/2 cup of instant oats in a Bodum pot (the kind that pushes the coffee grounds down to the bottom) and then filled up the rest of the Bodum with hot water and let it sit while I was shampooing him. Once I rinsed off the shampoo, I poured the oatmeal water over him and did not wash it off. I could tell he was feeling pretty good after that and the scratching stopped for about a day.
At any rate, I ordered Tuxy's old brand of food online and just got it delivered yesterday. Amazingly enough, he has almost stopped scratching after only 1 day back on his old food!! So I am guessing he had either a yeast overgrowth or allergies in connection to the new food. Isn't it interesting that he started to scratch right away on the new food and stopped scratching just as fast on the old food?!
If your dog has skin allergies or yeast issues, consider that their food may be the culprit!"
Replies05/04/2010: Demi from Atlanta, Ga replies: "What was the food you ordered? My lab mix puppy scratches too. She doesn't have scabs, but scratches as soon as she wakes up."
EC: Blackwood was the brand I ordered. However, I have since switched them all to Taste of the Wild (Salmon).
Note: Be careful with higher quality holistic foods - two of my dogs gained about 7 pounds in 6 weeks on Taste of the Wild (Bison and Venison) and are now on a strict diet!
Deirdre
[YEA] 01/27/2011: Vicki from Dallas, Tx replies: "I've been the round with dogfoods and as I have a lot of dogs & 3 cats; it's been difficult to find a holistic brand with guaranteed ingredients that don't have grain, or a lot of fat, that I can afford. Pancreatitus is a danger with the high fat brands & if your dog is not an actual working dog in a cold climate, there's a definte risk of this. Grain is responsible for diabetes, yeast infections, & allergies in dogs. One of my little males suffered through 3 rounds of pancreatitus years ago from ProPlan (my vet commented on the high fat content, but it didn't register with me at the time) plus he & 2 of his daughters last fall had a seizure type reaction from one I thought was ok (Blue). Wellness is what I feed them now, with no problems. ACV in their drinking water has improved their coat & skin condition even more. Will be trying coconut oil on one ex-feral cat who continues to have severely itching skin, who vomited the ACV water & refuses to drink it after one episode."
[BETTER BUT NOT CURED] 03/14/2011: Remy6287 from Florence, Ky, Usa replies: "I have a 10 yr old Akita that has suffered from itchy skin for a number of years. It first started when she was bout 7 and then we took her to the vet, got a cortisone shot and she was better for a time. Then about a year ago it came back worse than ever. She was also having trouble with her joints and biting them, mostly her hips.After doing some research on this site I decided to try a combination of things. Every meal along with her Taste of the Wild food, she gets, 1-2 cloves of garlic , chopped into small pieces (I started with one to see how she reacted and then when she showed no negative side effects, gave her more). About 1 teaspoon of ginger root, chopped up, 3 scoops of organic yogurt, 1 tablespoon organic coconut oil, and 1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses (to help with her joints). Within a month of using this combination, her skin cleared up, coat looks shiny, and she is bouncing around like she used to. She still has 2 hot spots on her chest but I think it is due to our location. Hope this helps!"
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FISH OIL
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[YEA] 10/08/2009: Carol from Flushing, Michigan writes: "I HAVE A CAT SHE IS NOW ABUT 9 YEARS OLD. WHEN SHE WAS ABOUT 6 YEARS OLD SHE BROKE OUT IN SORES ALL OVER HER BODY THAT SHE SCRACHED AND ITCHED CONSTANTLYL SHE WAS BLEEDING AND ITCHING FOR A YEAR OR MORE. THE VET KEPT GIVING HER METHOPREDINSONE INJECTIONS WHICH EVENTUALLY WOULD KILL HER. I PUT HER ON TWO FISH OIL CAPSULES A DAY AND NOW JUST A FEW MONTHS LATER HER FUR HAS GROWN BACK SOFT AND SILKY AND SHE HAS NO SORES OR ITCHING FOR 3 MONTHS NOW, SHE IS HAPPPY AND HEALTHY WITH SOFT FUR."
Replies12/23/2009: Luann from Spring Hill, Fl replies: "My 11 year old male cat has been suffering from a skin allergy for a little over a year. He has gotten the steroid injections, along with an over the counter antihistamine recommended by my vet. This seems to help for awhile, but now he's scratched himself raw again. Has all the same symptoms: itching, scabs, raw skin, hair loss. I can't get near him with ACV anymore, so the fish oil seems like a good suggestion. What is the strength (MG?) of the capsules you are using. It breaks my heart to him like this. "
[YEA] 08/05/2011: Kat from Crown Point, In replies: "I have a small dog (under 20 pounds) and gets very itchy in the summer and fall. I have been giving him the fish oil caplet for the last few years. I went to the vet, and they sent me home with a prescription. The fish oil works better. Plus, he loves the fish oil and has learned to swallow the pill whole. I make sure he gets a drink after the pill. Don't want it stuck in his throat!"
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GINGER
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[YEA] 01/07/2010: Mamaknocks from Downers Grove, Il, Usa writes: "A GINGER, 550mg capsule cured my dog's inflamed, itchy skin in 5 minutes. A MIRACLE cure...in MINUTES, thank GOD! After a long, miserable, sleepless night...peace and quiet."
Replies02/01/2010: Rina from Seattle, Wa replies: "did you mean a ginger supplement or just raw ginger? Could you please be more specific? Thank you."
09/12/2010: Mamaknocks from Downers Grove, Il replies: "Just a regular ginger capsule. I put it in a "Pill Pocket" that are sold by the bag at pet stores. My dog will take anything that I put in those little things! He thinks it's a treat. Ginger is wonderful. If he has an upset tummy, it cures that just as fast as it does itchy skin!"
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MEDICATION LINK
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 08/25/2010: Michelle from Normal, Il writes: "itching dog: I have tried everything to cure my dog of his itching and I think it is the flea and heart worm medicine called Revolution that is causing it. I just now found a list of side effects and "pruritus (itching), urticaria (welts, hives), and erythema (skin redness)" was listed. I am going to get him some old fashioned heart worm pills and find an alternative flea preventer."
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MEDICATIONS, DIETARY CHANGES
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01/22/2011: Diane from Chardon, Ohio writes: "For the dogs ears an all natural product that really works is vets best ear relief wash and dry. Keep the ears dry. My groomer recommended enyzme pro to add to food and I am trying that. (botanical dog) Also, if your dog has really bad sore skin try looking at dermagic-wonderful products to put on skin.
Try to avoid any steroids or cordisones because they only will help short term and will rebound with worse skin worse than when started."
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[NAY] 01/21/2010: Kathryn from Houston, Tx, Usa writes: "Itchy Old Dog
The old dog is so tired of scratching and I've tried everything else. I've changed her dog food 3 times. She had a raw scaly bottom and tail about 6 months ago and the vet cost $300.00 for shampoo, cephalosporin and prednisone. Her fur grew back but now she's itching non-stop and starting to get really stinky even after I use the $85.00 shampoo. Don't know if it's mange but am going to see if the cure works!
Wish me luck!"
Replies06/06/2010: Adrian from Los Angeles, Ca replies: "When doing food, make sure it is grain free, especially CORN! This will help you a million times over. Also, many dogs that have food allergies are allergic to chicken, so it may help to go with Buffalo or some different protein source.
But if the issue is just itching... it could be an environmental allergy, which is a whole new bag of worries."
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NEEM CREAM
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[YEA] 02/12/2010: Linda from Dublin, Ireland writes: "cat eczema
my cat had a burn like streak down his back. i thought it looked odd but he didnt seem to mind it. when i took him to the vet he said it was eczema and the dry patch was from over licking caused by the itch. after my initial shame of not noticing i decided to take charge of his skin asap. i work in a health store and bought neem indian cream as i had used it myself on dry skin. the results were amazing. the cat hated it but a couple of times a day i attacked him and within a week or so no more dry skin. it did reapear on his face and again a couple of times a day cleared it up."
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