Pet health: Five tips to stop the itch

If your pet suffers from itchy or inflamed skin, recurring ear infections and continuous scratching of the ears, paws and face – it’s time to take action.

Pawsome Raw owner Retha van der Walt said allergies have many different faces and can be truly frustrating, not just for your pet.

Also read: Going skin deep on pet health

“Your vet may have prescribed a seasonal dose of cortisone and antihistamines, but to your frustration the itching persists.

“You have tried expensive oils and supplements with high dosages of Omegas to moisturise his skin. You have changed to prescription diets – nothing helps, and you are at your wits’ end,” said Van der Walt, who distributes raw food in Ballito.

“Allergies are immune system responses that cause your dog’s body to go a little haywire in reaction to a trigger. No matter what you do to treat them, if your dog is exposed to allergens the problem and discomfort will continue. The trick is to figure out what the allergen is.”

Try out these natural tips to manage and improve your dog’s skin conditions:

1. Swap the kibbles for raw food Avoid starchy carbohydrates as much as possible as they can aggravate skin conditions. Never feed any foods with preservatives, colouring or other chemicals. Dogs with severe gut problems may need to have special care and an individually designed diet. You should also add plenty of vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, leafy greens, and zucchini to help filter toxins.

2. Detox with greens Herbs will help clear toxins from our dog’s gut, liver, lymphatic system and kidneys. The following dried organic herbs will be beneficial and help your dog manage allergy reactions: calendula; chamomile; parsley; burdock; nettle and dandelion.

3. Repair the gut Since most of the immune system lives in your dog’s gut, you need to address his gut health. Feed your dog high quality probiotics daily for several months to restore the health of the immune system.

4. Avoid environmental toxins It is all good and well that you are detoxing your dog; however, you will want to make sure you are not adding new toxins – if you do, his skin condition may continue. Go through your home and remove as many chemicals and artificial fragrances as you can.

5. Keep it calm Emotional stress is a big trigger for skin conditions. If your dog has stress, anxiety or trauma, think about training or body work. It will all help.

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