Naturally Healthy Dogs
Itching to Get to the Bottom of Your Dog's Itch?

June, 2011

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Natural Dog Health Remedies

In this issue:

• Itching to Get to the Bottom of Your Dog's Itch?
• Itchy or Stressed?
• Dog Treat Recipe - Blueberry Honey Pupsicles
• Aromatherapy Recipe - For Dog Itchy Skin

Do you have an itchy dog? Does your dog lick, scratch, and chew herself constantly? If so, your dog may be suffering from some form of allergy.

For us, if we have an allergic reaction, we have a runny nose, itchy eyes, and may be sneezing non-stop. For dogs, the most common symptom of allergy is itching.

The three most common forms of allergy in dogs are:

• Flea bite allergy
• Canine atopic dermatitis
• Food allergy

Of course, not all itchy dogs have allergies. There are other conditions that can cause itching as well. Some other possible causes of itching include:

• Parasitc infection - Parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites (e.g. "walking dandruff" (cheyletiella), scabies (sarcoptic mange), and demodectic mange)
• Bacterial and fungal infections
• Reaction to certain drugs
• Certain health problems, such as Cushing's disease, hypothyroidism, lupus, liver, pancreatic, or kidney disease.

Bottom line? Get your dog checked out if he is itching all the time. Don't just use medication such as antihistamines or steroids to suppress the symptom. If your vet tends to just prescribe anti-itch meds for your dog without doing any tests or thorough physical examination, find another vet!

Although most dogs scratch, chew, and lick themselves because they feel itchy, some do so because they feel stressed or bored!

Yes - incessant scratching, biting and chewing can be a behavioral problem!

That's another reason why a thorough physical examination is so important.

If the exam does not reveal any physical problem that may cause itching to your dog, then you may be dealing with a behavioral problem.

It may well be that stress is causing your dog to lick and chew herself, in which case you need to identify the stressors.

Some possible stressors may include:

• Anxiety (separation anxiety, noise like thunder and fireworks)
• Visits to the vet
• Other pets (e.g. the big fat cat) in the house
• Rambunctious kids, etc.

In addition, some large breed dogs such as the Retrievers, German Shepherd, Great Dane, and Doberman Pinscher are genetically predisposed to obsessive/compulsive behaviors such as incessant licking and chewing.

Once you have identified your dog's major stressors, try to minimize or even remove them from your dog's life as much as possible. For some stressors (such as separation anxiety), your dog may need desensitization and re-conditioning training.

Regular exercise is also helpful because it tires out your dog making her less likely to self-lick. In addition, exercise causes the release of feel-good endorphines that help relieve stress.

There are also some products and remedies that may help. For example:

• Genesis Resources Anxiety & Stress Calming Formula: This is a dietary supplement with calming herbs (e.g. chamomile, passionflower), vitamins, and minerals and is good for dogs who are nervous, hyperactive, or have anxiety or stress.
• Only Natural Pet Phero-Soothe: Pheromones are chemicals emitted by living organisms to send messages to individuals of the same species. This spray contains synthetic substance that mimics the pheromones that have calming effects, thus helping pets relax and feel at ease.
• If your dog goes crazy during a thunderstorm, consider this thundershirt:
  

  It is a snugly fitting "shirt" that holds the dog tightly, creating a gentle, constant pressure that has a dramatic calming effect.

Now that it's getting hotter by the day, I guess we have to start thinking about making some cool, yummy, yet healthy snacks for our dogs.

This blueberry honey pupsicle is easy to make and the ingredients are good for your dog.

Blueberries are rich in antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and fiber. The probiotics in the yogurt add "friendly bacteria" to your dog's digestive system. Honey is a natural antihistamine and if you use local honey it may help your dog's allergy (if he is suffering from allergy that is :)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups plain non-fat probiotic yogurt
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (or other berries such as raspberries, strawberries or chopped fruit such as peaches or plums)
• 2 tablespoons honey

Directions:

• Stir together the yogurt, blueberries and honey.
• Freeze in containers appropriate for your dog’s size. (e.g. muffin tins, ice cube trays, mini-muffin tins, etc.)
• Do not fill all the way to the top as the mixture swells as it freezes.
• To release them from the container, dip the bottoms in warm water.

Yum! (Try one yourself - if your dog lets you!)

This aroma-gel is great for eczema and itchy skin caused by insect bites, dry skin and parasites.

You need the following essential oils:

• 10 drops rosemary
• 5 drops peppermint
• 1 ounce aloe vera gel

Mix the oils in the aloe vera gel. Apply to irritated areas.