·         For dogs with sensitive skin no matter the reason, I love a tea tree shampoo.  They are inexpensive and easy to find, and I think a better deal then the more expensive versions you can buy in pet stores.  If your having problems getting the shampoo to wash all the way out of the dog’s coat, cut a small bucket of water with a third of vinegar and rinse the coat.  This will take any leftover soap out  of the coat and skin and give the hair a silky sheen.  The tea tree shampoo is a winner because it makes the dog feel great even after the bath is long over, even my vet was impressed with the result on my old Shih Tzu’s skin improvement.  They love the effect and it does relieve the impulse for the dog to scratch,   which only makes it’s skin feel worse in the long run.

· Flea dermises can be a little trickier to beat in the world of dog skin allergies, simply due to the fact so many of the flea treatments designed to kill fleas can be somewhat brutal to a sensitive skin as well.  The most common problem I have seen is flea collars, they seem to just reek havoc, especially on puppies and younger dogs.  Then there is the plethora of chemical bombs and various lotions and potions meant to napalm the tar our of those irritating little bugs, but unfortunately they dry and irritate the skin as well.  I have learned that lemon juice in the coat will seriously turn off a flea population, (and a vinegar rinse soothes the skin), and if you let it soak in the fur for 20 minutes after a bath it will really send their circus packing.  Another one of my favorite tricks is the powdered soap product “20 Mule Team Borax”.  Sprinkle that in you carpet and let it sit over night, then vacuum it up the next morning.  It doesn’t seem to bother the dogs/cats/kids any, but it is nuclear on fleas.

·  Once you find a shampoo your dog can stand, make sure the baths happen somewhat frequently.  At least once every two weeks, better if it’s once a week.  No fleas, no dander, no soap buildup with the vinegar, (which will also condition and hydrate the coat and skin).  Very win win for you and you dog.  Even your fussiest, dog hating guests will marvel at how they never notice your dog is even there.   Also very relaxing and stress relieving to have the grooming routine, after all quality time is why you have a pet in the first place and mine all seem to enjoy that I take the extra time to make sure their needs are being met.  Just stay away from cream conditioners, they are fine for people but really build up in a dog’s coat and can cause even worse problems with the skin.

·  The flea juice regime!  If you use it, bathe once a month and only put it in the coat a week after the bath.  Otherwise it won’t stick to the oils in the coat proper, which is how it works in the first place.  That’s how to get rid of fleas.  I have had better luck with frontline than anything else, and the Hartz or Sergentz products are terrible, but I use these guys as a last resort, mostly due to the cost of them. 

I have had huge success with these techniques in the past, as all but one of my six dogs has some form of dermises, and their comfort is very important to me.  Also it helps with my allergy induced asthma.  If you have any issues that persists, try finding a vet that specializes in skin issues.  I have a vet who does and he is worth the big bucks, and knows all about the latest greatest things in the skin world of dogs.  If things get out of hand a vet can get you a great prescription product if things get out of hand in the hair department, he can also tell you if you have bigger problems on your plate than just a little dandruff or a flea circus that refuses to pack up it’s big top.

Tricky Dog

Tummies

A practical look at dog food allergies

and intolerances.

How do navigate the

confusing world of dog food allergies

Dog Food Allergies and food intolerances are very different issues from each other,  So knowing which you are dealing with is a must.  Intolerances to a particular food type are typically vomiting and diarrhea, whereas allergies are mostly manifested in dry itchy skin.   Dog food allergies make of for roughly 10% of all dog allergies, and are the 3rd most common allergy issue.  This problem can pop up at anytime in the dog’s life, but usually shows up between 2 and 6 years of age.  Symptoms besides the dry itchy skin are frequent yeast infections of the ear canals, and skin irritations not responding to steroid treatment.  This allergy problem affects pets that have been on the same diet for a long time, most over 2 years eating the same type of food.  Once you are sure your pet has an allergy, not any other issue, you must begin the process of elimination to weed out which of the food ingredients is the culprit.

Most common Ingredients Dogs are allergic to in commercial dog food

• Beef
• Chicken
• Fish
• Eggs
• Soy
• Wheat
• Corn
• Milk 

So…. Now What do I do?

Once you are sure the dog has a food allergy and not another problem, you can begin to isolate the specific ingredient causing the problem. Sometimes that is just as easy as switching the dog to a Lamb and Rice formula dog food. Other times it means picking ingredients and only feeding the dog beef and corn for 12 weeks to see if that has an effect. If the dog is fine after 12 weeks, add another ingredient, like chicken. You get the idea, eventually you will run into the cause of your dog’s allergy and can thus eliminate it from the dog’s permanent diet. Just be sure not to feed the dog any treats or table food, just it’s special diet and plenty of water, or these items will spoil the test. 12 weeks seems like a long time but most studies have shown that the vast majority of dogs will manifest the allergy in this amount of time, whereas a much smaller amount manifest in 3 or 8 weeks. A vet can also help by administering a blood test which will determine whether or not the dog has a suspected allergy.  Sometimes these can be tricky to track down, did you get dog insurance?

Once you have the wherefores and the whys worked out, you then have the choice of preparing a homemade diet or a commercial one. Both methods have pros and cons, but the choice will largely come down to your ability and lifestyle, as well as your budget. Prescription dog foods are expensive, but homemade dog food meals are inconvenient and time consuming, and they require a lot of research as to your dog’s specific needs to make sure it is getting all the nutrition in requires. Breed, age, and activity level will be factors as well to bear in mind as you quest for the perfect palate for your pooch.

A Hair Affair…

A quick look at great breeds for those allergic to dog hair and dander.

Try this innovative look at some unusual breeds that really fill the bill as best friend, (if not always a furry one!)  Their abilities and talent might

just surprise you.

SMALL BREEDS

· Shih Tzu– Playful, loveable little lions convinced they alone own the universe.  Might seem an odd pick, but as their hair is continually growing they don’t shed.  As such they also have a strict grooming requirement, and this contributes to their being very clean dogs with little or no dander.  A Tea Tree shampoo weekly bath will keep these guys at the top of you’re A list.  Great dogs for tough biker guys,   ( these dogs LOVE a ride!) these dogs are very go everywhere do everything anytime kind of dogs, and think for sure they are pit bulls.  Mine ran a neighbors Rottweiler out of our yard on several occasions as it attacked my father’s 90 lb Golden Retriever.  The Shih Tzu was 16 at the time, and blind in both eyes.

· Chinese Crested– For those enjoying a toy dog with a nose, these fun little dogs are cuddly, capable pets who adore their owners with a special zeal. The Hairless variety doesn’t carry the labor intensive coat of the Shih Tzu, and can be substantially easier to keep flea free.  A sweater, a movie, and a lap is all it takes to keep these guys happy all winter long.  A unique little dog attracting lots of attention, they go everywhere in style.  Active and light weight, they are welcome throughout as comical little entertainers, and are at home in palaces or apartments alike.

LARGE BREEDS

· Poodles– Don’t mistake these guys for Grandma’s lap pet, weighing in at over 65+ lbs Standard Poodles are nobody’s cupcake.  Broken hearted guys who miss being out in the bird hunting world will be delighted to find that a poodle hits the water just as fast and hard as any black lab ever has, they are a very old breed of hunting water retriever originating in Germany.  They are also the hypoallergenic dog of choice, which is the reason they breed “labradoodles” at all.  They will also take a burglar’s face off if they feel their family is being threatened, and they are a great family dog.  Poodles put simply love an active, outdoor lifestyle with their humans, no goofy haircut required.

· Kerry Blue Terrier– Gentle, loveable, and intelligent, this breed is really a jack of all trades.  They look somewhat like a Giant Schnauzer.  Used originally as ratters, earth dogs, fighting dogs, retrievers, herding dogs, trackers, and cart pullers, these guys really can do it all.  A curly terrier coat makes this breed a great pick for those wishing a low impact dander and shed factor.  Obedience classes early in life make for happier Kerry Blues later in life, these dogs can be a great family pet in addition to everything else they have been asked to do through the ages. They also enjoy an active out door lifestyle and make great jogging partners for their lucky owners.

Dos and Don’ts of Success

I Don’t– Recommend a “labradoodle” or any other kind of mixed breed dog.  The guarantee of a purebred dog is that you know exactly what kind of a pet you are going to get and there is no guarantee that a mixed breed dog will have the right genetic makeup in the fur department.  For the socially conscious among us, purebred rescue is a great way to go to find a new friend.

I Do– say spend hours in a breeders home in an area the dogs spend most of their time.  Trust me on this, the breeder will want to know the dog and you can live happily ever after together too.

I Do– Bathe my dogs weekly.  A huge factor in your success will be how clean the dog and your home is kept.  Vacuum daily and bathe the dog weekly.

I Don’t– Want you to think dander is your only issue, because some people are allergic to saliva and or urine.  If that is the case, none of the dog breeds mentioned here will help you avoid that.

I Do– Hope you and your whole family make sure the breeds you have interest in fits your lifestyle, and I hope you have fun learning as much about them as your can.  Having allergies in your life is only one of many factors you need to consider.