Help with itchy dogs!

**chatterweb** · 05-09-2006, 12:52 AM

I gave them both the tea tree laden baths.

Still itchy!
No frontline plus yet...out of our budget.

They are mildly itchy, not chewing themselves to death, but...
I did change their food from Beneful to rice/chicken...Kirkland Costco brand
Is this the problem?
Any home remedy for itchies is appreciated!
Thank you!
BTW I see no fleas, maybe 2 max...

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 05-09-2006, 02:42 AM

Beneful is GARBAGE food. You might as well be feeding them Play Dough! The Kirkland chicken and rice is made by Diamond, which makes good foods. However, if you don't see improvement, I would switch them to lamb and rice or maybe go with something even higher quality like Wellness or Solid Gold. These foods cost more, but the dog will eat waaay less and it actually won't cost as much more as you might htink.

Part of the reason Beneful is so awful is all of the artificial colors in it. Dogs don't care what color their food is. The color is added for the dogs' owners!

**ama** · 05-09-2006, 08:27 AM

I have to agree about the beneful. I feed my shar pei Nutro and its so much healthier. Solid Gold is SOOOO expensive but I will mix it in with the Nutro to stretch it out a bit.

Frontline is dangerous chemicals -- do you have a flea problem then or not? I have a shar pei so I have to truly avoid chemicals etc as he's super sensitive to this stuff. I can look up some info for you and I'll post later k??

**guest32** · 05-09-2006, 10:45 AM

You did not say what kind of dogs you have. Some dogs are predisposed to skin problems....my shih tzu has major problems and we've gotten it mostly under control. But she still has outbreaks. One thing my Vet recommended was omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. I just buy a liquid supplement I put on her food. Also, I use a prescription (antibiotic) shampoo on her..it has helped tremendously! I agree about the food....good quality pet food is worth the price.

**miss_thrifty** · 05-09-2006, 11:03 AM

I use to use IAM for my pomeranian .He loved it.

**ravenmoonmother** · 05-09-2006, 12:05 PM

Hi post on the other thread before i saw this one.
You could try making up some camomile in water then using it as a rinse to sooth the skin.
Some animals have a really bad reaction to fleas, and if you saw two then there maybe more.
Here are some flea repellent ideas
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/01/010305a.cfm

**KatieInLa2** · 05-09-2006, 02:05 PM

I have dogs that have sensitive skin, westies. I used to give them childrens liquid benedryl when they were chewing their skin. I feed them Nutro food for sensitive skin now and they are much better. Oatmeal shampoo is good too. If your dog has a smell to his skin try an antifungal shampoo and see it that helps. Make sure you are rinsing ALL the shampoo off. Residue can make them itch too.

**pkellyc** · 05-09-2006, 05:19 PM

I had a lab once that itched like crazy. The vet told me to put a couple tbls. of meat fat on his dry food once in awhile.

**Persimmon Lace** · 05-09-2006, 10:24 PM

Olive oil or meat fat is good for their coat if they have the itchies. Plus don't bath but every couple of weeks if you can go that long. If Bella gets too dirty or smelly I take a damp towel and rub her down, she's short haired so it's easy to bush really good and get the dust off her.

**chatterweb** · 05-10-2006, 02:17 AM

Wow!! Thank you for all the replies! Appreciate it alot!
I have a 2 year old Dobie mix, she has semi short hair, she is the itchy one.

I will switch her food, as well as Bella, our 9 year old pit bull, she seldom itches though!
Thanks again for all the advice!

I will have to look into the links as soon as I get some time!!
I will use tea tree oil on the itchy doggie for now, it has seemed to help a bit.
Chatterweb~

**marym** · 05-10-2006, 05:40 AM

I have 2 newfies that have had skin itchies. The vet told me to bathe them more often because they have double coats and it's hard for the dander to fall out, it lays back on the skin and irritates them. He also had me switch them to Science Diet for dogs with sensitive skin. So far so good. I hope the dog feel better.

**Sari** · 05-10-2006, 03:12 PM

If you are seeing 2 fleas, there are dozens more that you're not seeing. Definitely get them on a good flea control as soon as you can. Frontline is good, as well as Advantage (cheaper, but doesn't do anything for ticks), and Revolution is good. Don't waste your money on the garbage from the stores. Plus some of it can make them sick. You can try an oatmeal shampoo or other shampoo that has stuff for itch in it, but if you're seeing fleas, that's most likely the problem. Most vets will let you buy single doses of the Frontline/Advantage if you want, so you don't have to shell out big bucks right away. Also be careful what you bathe them in after you apply it, or it could wash it off. If you have any questions, I'm happy to help (have 4 dogs of my own, been a vet tech for almost 6 years).