12/02/2009: Sara from Decatur, Ga: "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."

02/07/2010: 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. :)"

[BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS]  01/17/2011: Roxies Mom from Atlanta, Ga: "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!"

[YEA]  02/09/2011: Sue from Nashville, Tn: "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."

[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."

[YEA]  03/26/2010: Heidi from Chicago, Il, Usa: "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!"

[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."

[YEA]  11/20/2010: Pamela from High Springs, Fl.: "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."

[BETTER BUT NOT CURED]  10/10/2011: Denise from Stockton, Ca: "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."

05/04/2010: 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!"

[YEA]  10/08/2009: Carol from Flushing, Michigan: "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."

12/23/2009: 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!"

[YEA]  01/18/2013: Sarah from Manchester, Britain replies: "Tins of sardines work a treat, just mixed in her food and its an excellent food supplement."

[YEA]  01/07/2010: Mamaknocks from Downers Grove, Il, Usa: "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."

02/01/2010: 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!"

02/09/2013: Leslie from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: "I have only now found this website and think it's wonderful. Many posts are years old however the problems seem to be the same year after year - so I thought I would give this information for those who are interested.

Dogs that itch terribly, pull their fur out, scratch their ears till they are inflamed, lick and pull at their paws, and more, may have a yeast infection. This is for males too.

A website that addresses this is: http//homemadedogfood.com. I have found it to be perfect for my Chihuahua and all his problems including this one."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  08/25/2010: Michelle from Normal, Il: "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."

01/22/2011: Diane from Chardon, Ohio: "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."

06/06/2010: 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."

[YEA]  02/12/2010: Linda from Dublin, Ireland: "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."