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Press Release-Scratching the Surface

Scratching the Surface. The causes of itchy skin in dogs

Scratching the Surface

There are many possible causes of chronic itchy skin. In the summer months, fleas or environmental / contact allergies may be the culprit – many pets are sensitive to certain types of grass and weeds. Other possible irritants in the home include detergents used to wash blankets and bedding, household cleaners, or sprays used in the yard.

Scratching the Surface. The causes of itchy skin in dogs A culprit that’s often overlooked, is diet. Food sensitivities are abundant in almost every breed, possibly due to genetics or the fact that many animals are fed the same food for months or even years with no variety in ingredients or alternative sources of nutrition.

One of the most common causes of food sensitivity in pets are grains. Lots of pets are sensitive to gluten, which can cause an inflammatory response that manifests itself as itchy skin, red and inflamed feet, gastro-intestinal upset or persistent infections.

If it is not possible to feed a completely no-grain diet, then one with only organic, whole-grains is the next best choice. Grain fractions (gluten, husks, hulls etc) can be more problematic than the whole grain, and organic food, by definition, cannot be genetically modified. GM grains may be more likely to cause an adverse reaction in a sensitive pet. Some studies indicated that when some butterflies come in contact with pollen from genetically modified crops, they suffer a number of health problems and genetic mutations eventually occur. It is possible that a similar thing happens when other species consume GM grains – especially species whose systems aren’t designed to cope with a grain overload in the first place.

Some pets are sensitive to ingredients other than grain, such as meat, vegetables or herbs. These sensitivities are generally less common, and in fact a pet who seems to be allergic to a certain meat, say chicken, because she gets itchy every time she eats her chicken flavored kibble, may actually be just fine when eating real, home-prepared raw or lightly cooked chicken. The problem is high heat processing that alters the amino acid structure, making the protein problematic to digest.

A natural, no-grain, minimally processed diet that’s also free of chemical preservatives and fillers, can go a long way to combating the problem of itchy skin.. Customers are usually delighted with the results and (under veterinary supervision) they may even be able to start reducing the long-term steroids and antibiotics they’ve had to administer to their pets. Many cats and dogs show a noticeable improvement in just a few days after starting a no-grain diet.

The Honest Kitchen produces a line of dehydrated foods that are guaranteed human grade because they’re actually produced in a human-grade plant. The company offers several completely grain free diets as well as a gluten free option made with the ancient grain, Quinoa.

This California company is currently offering specially priced ISO’s for new stores, and offers great store-training and service, too. Contact Cami at accounts@thehonestkitchen.com for more information.

A preservative-free, mild shampoo without harsh detergents is also an important consideration…….