Fresh Pet Food for Dogs That are Itching A Lot

What Causes Sensitive Skin & Itching? 

Springtime can be a tricky time for those of us prone to seasonal allergies. This is where we begin seeing people running to grab antihistamines as pollen and other elements begin wreaking havoc on our systems - but what about our pets? 

Excessive itching, also called pruritus, is a common sign of an underlying disorder in our pets. Pruritus related to allergies are actually a hyper reaction and can be triggered by a change in season. A hyper reaction is an extreme inflammatory response. This can be triggered by a few things such as food sensitivities or an autoimmune disease. 

Some of the top reasons for itchy skin

• Fleas & Ticks
• Environmental allergies - this can range from grass, pollen, trees, mold, & even to dust mites
• Infection - A fungal infection, such as a Yeast Infection can cause the body to go into an inflammatory state
• Stress, boredom or anxiety - they say an active dog is a healthy dog! Even 30 minutes of stimulating play with your pup can help alleviate some of these issues
• Dry skin - sometimes our pets need a little extra help with their dry skin as they may be lacking in omega-3’s 
• Hot Spots - these can pop up on the skin after excessive licking and are very itchy. 
• Food Allergies - Did you know that food allergies are the most common cause of itchy skin in dogs? We’ve broken down the reasons for this and top tips to tackle food allergies in dogs, so keep reading!  

We also have a blog that talks about dog food allergy symptoms, most common allergens, and what you can do for your dog if you’re looking for even more info on allergies.

Hotspots in dogs, what are they?

If you take a closer look, a hot spot is a bacterial infection that has overpopulated parts of your dog's skin and rooted into a sore, becoming inflamed and VERY itchy. This can become noticeable due to your dog obsessively licking, biting, or scratching at it. There are many ways hot spots can emerge such as food allergies, environmental allergies, fleas & even stress- but the common denominator here is a compromised immune system. You can help boost their immune system with antioxidants, probiotics, a different diet, and keeping the area clean and not allowing your dog to pay it any close attention will help speed up the healing process. 

The connection between dog food and skin sensitivities

Even if your dog’s allergies & sensitivities are specifically related to diet it can still intensify the symptoms your dog has. However, processed foods do play a large part in the skin sensitivities & allergies you see in pets today. Due to fillers, carbs, and grains, our pets have started developing allergies. 

Ingredients such as corn, wheat, and rice can trigger an allergic reaction in your dog. As these ingredients are starches, the body then turns them into sugars that feed into the yeast in your pet's body. By overfeeding the yeast in your pet's body we begin depleting their immune system allowing it to enter a state of inflation and agitation. 

How to help soothe itchy skin in dogs 

These are a few simple things we can do for our pets to help alleviate their symptoms: 

• After going for a walk, wipe their paws off 
• Check your pet's current diet. If it has ingredients such as beef, corn, dairy, lamb, & chicken, speak to someone about changing it! 
• Feed a protein source to your pet that is considered a “novel protein” 

By implementing these suggestions the redness and heat throughout your pet's body should start decreasing and you should begin to see them feeling some relief. Check out some of our home remedies for itchy skin here! 

What can you feed a dog with food allergies? 

Feeding your dog with food allergies doesn’t have to be stressful! Ultimately you want to avoid any over-processed foods with a lot of ingredients & foods that are high in carbs & starches.

By looking at a fresh food diet you know exactly what ingredients are going into your dog and the health benefits that can come with each of those ingredients. 

By looking at high-quality sources that are; 

• Organic
• Human Grade
• Grass-Fed
• Wild Caught
• Free Range 

ingredients, you are offering your pet protein sources that come from a healthier environment. In part, this means that these protein sources have a better nutrient profile. By providing your dog with a natural diet that is low on carbs, high in omega fatty acids, and packed with antioxidants the inflammation in your dog's body will begin to decrease, helping to heal your dog's immune system and begin to relieve them of their itchiness!

Ingredients in Fresh Dog Food for Sensitive Skin

Sources say that adding some fresh fruit/veggies/protein into your dog's diet can drastically help with itchy & dry skin, as well as inflammation and redness. Some key ingredients that help your pet's allergies are: 

• Mushrooms (also this link: https://www.thrivingcanine.com/holistic_approach_dog_allergies )
  
• Reishi (Ganaderma lucidum)
• Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)
• Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis)
• Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)
• Maitake (Grifola frondosa)
• Omega-3’s 
• Omega-3’s are essential fatty acids that help rejuvenate your pet's skin & coat and offer many other health benefits
• Novel Proteins - such as; rabbit, turkey, or duck
• Organic Leafy Greens 
• Berries that offer antioxidant properties like; blueberries, cranberries, & raspberries
• Kelp Powder 

How Fresh Food Helps Address The Root Cause of Your Dog’s Allergies 

Eliminating Heavy Processing  

Due to the minimal amount of processing and ingredients in Fresh Food - this is a great way to address and begin getting your dogs allergy symptoms under control. 

A great Fresh Food option for you dog with allergies is our Turkey Delight Fresh Dog Food

• The ingredients offer immune-boosting properties such as Bone Broth, vitamins & mineral blend, turkey (low allergen), omega fatty oils, and veggies that promote immunity. 

Removing Additives & Preservatives 

1. What is the job of preservatives? To prevent the food from spoiling. These preservatives such as tert-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and butylated hyrdoxytoluene (BHT) are commonly used preservative chemicals. They are put into generic pet food to take the place of natural preservatives so that expenses can be cut - unfortunately, these preservatives are all highly toxic. 
2. What job do additives do? They are a binder made from natural products that “seem” to be safe. Corn syrup is used frequently, and though may seem harmless, when used frequently in pet food, it can lead to health problems such as weight gain and diabetes. It is also a way to keep costs low instead of opting for healthy natural ingredients such as rosemary or sage. 

Natural Pet Foods may cost a little more - but since they do not have additives or fillers, they promote healthy and happy pets. 

Immune-Boosting Nutrients:

1. Blueberries: One of the tastiest and best sources of antioxidants that 
   nature can offer - they work hard to boost the immune system, reduce inflammation and promote skin & coat health. Since blueberries are full of Vitamin C - this will contribute to your dog’s healthy skin & coat 
2. Spinach: A superfood charged with huge immune boosters such as iron, fiber, Vitamin K, Vitamin B, and is a good source of antioxidants.
3. Salmon Oil - A key component for improved health. Skin allergies, inflammation, immune system support, help maintain a soft and shiny coat… the list goes on. It is vital to have this omega-3 in your dog’s daily diet.
   
4. Coconut Oil: Since coconut oil contains lauric acid, its natural anti-fungal
   properties help suppress the production of yeast! Combining an Omega-3, such as Salmon oil, will help moderate and even begin suppressing your dog's inflammatory response.

High Protein, Low Carb:

By offering a diet high in protein and lower in carbs, such as a Fresh Food diet, you can worry less about itchy factors in your dog. As excess carbs convert to sugar in the body this will turn into yeast and cause your dog all sorts of uncomfortable & itchy issues. 

Unlike commercialized pet foods, which have on average 30-60% carbohydrates, Fresh Food focuses on a diet that offers a healthy amount of carbs, and a healthy source of protein, mixed together with omega’s, vitamins, and minerals.

Supplements 

Probiotics: Your dog's gut contains 70% of the immune system - keeping it healthy should be a top priority. Probiotics promote healthy gut flora and when there is a balance of the right type of healthy bacteria good things begin to happen! Your dog starts producing natural vitamins, the fiber from veggies are processed properly, and the bad bacteria & toxins are well-managed. As the body is in this healthy state, how your dog absorbs its nutrients changes. Nutrients are taken in and properly absorbed into the body, feeding the necessary places and filtering out toxins and non-nutritious substances. 

Probiotics have a wide range of health benefits, including, and most commonly recommended for, allergies. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, when it comes to sourcing a dietary option for your dog with allergies that are causing intense itchy & irritated, and hot skin, Fresh Food is definitely an option we recommend. Learning where your ingredients are coming from, and knowing that you have the power to optimize your dog's health just by offering a change in diet can make all the difference in the world for your furry best friend.