Itching like crazy so switching foods..

Gyggles1 · 12-07-2012, 07:13 PM

So we are switching Duke's food from Kirkland Lamb dog food to Grain free Salmon & Sweet potato. He has continued to itch like crazy all the time since trying him on that Chicken Kirkland dog food, since then we went back to the lamb & vegetable which is he was on for yrs but he just will not stop itching no matter what we do. We have tried Coconut oil and he does not have fleas. So I figure even if its not the food that's making him itch its still a good idea to go grain free right ? So now I need to look for grain free treats. Meanwhile to comfort him a little the vet said to give him Benadryl.

WVGSD · 12-10-2012, 12:49 PM

He could very well be allergic to an environmental allergen rather than or in addition to a food ingredient. Have you thought of having an allergy panel done? Dr. Jean Dodds has a new one that just uses 2 millilters of saliva and looks very good. It is called Nutriscan if I remember correctly.

msvette2u · 12-10-2012, 12:54 PM

It could also be dry air.
I'd keep the food the same but add salmon oil in a pump like Grizzly salmon oil.
Only 10% of dog allergies are to foods.

Litz · 12-10-2012, 03:26 PM

I've been dealing with constant itchiness with my Emma, and have yet to determine the cause. We've tried many different foods, seen the vet several times... Nothing seems to help. I don't think it's environmental for us since it is consistent throughout the year. My understanding is that the scratching would be seasonal, or more prominent certain times of year if it were enviro. Have not tried supplements or salmon oil...I'll look into that.

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Gyggles1 · 12-11-2012, 05:41 PM

Oh hmmmm I didn't see this before we went to get new food / treats but so far he is responding well to the gradual switch and isn't itching as much either.. when I talked to the health food dog store she said many dogs that have allergies are food related - maybe she just wanted to sell me food IDK.

We have him gradually eating Salmon & Sweet Potato grain free as well as treats. I was giving him fish oil until we gave him this food then kind of stopped thinking it might be over kill to use the oil too again IDK but something seems to be working.

I should still look into that allergy test, I will ask my vet about that I am surprised they didn't mention or offer it.

nlsst9 · 12-15-2012, 06:32 AM

I've had major issues with Piper and allergies. I had an allergy test done and it listed all the things he was allergic to which helped in finding new food. For instance he is allergic to chicken so I can buy no treats or food with chicken. As far as treats go I give him duck jerky which works very well. I've been adding fish oil into his food which also seems to be helping with his itching problem. It's been a long road to find what works but you'll get there.

12-07-2012, 07:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
Gyggles1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Vancouver, WA. Posts: 383	Itching like crazy so switching foods.. So we are switching Duke's food from Kirkland Lamb dog food to Grain free Salmon & Sweet potato. He has continued to itch like crazy all the time since trying him on that Chicken Kirkland dog food, since then we went back to the lamb & vegetable which is he was on for yrs but he just will not stop itching no matter what we do. We have tried Coconut oil and he does not have fleas. So I figure even if its not the food that's making him itch its still a good idea to go grain free right ? So now I need to look for grain free treats. Meanwhile to comfort him a little the vet said to give him Benadryl. __________________ Bear - 11 y/o GSD - RIP, we miss you & we know Duke would love you so much! Duke - 1 year old ( Aug. 6th, 2008 ) Chloe - 2 y/o kitty

12-10-2012, 12:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
WVGSD Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,231	He could very well be allergic to an environmental allergen rather than or in addition to a food ingredient. Have you thought of having an allergy panel done? Dr. Jean Dodds has a new one that just uses 2 millilters of saliva and looks very good. It is called Nutriscan if I remember correctly. __________________ Shannon Sabra - new GSD puppy - April 30, 2012 Max - rescue GSD - Dec 22, 2010 to March 7, 2012 Sable - rescue GSD - at the bridge

12-11-2012, 05:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
Gyggles1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Vancouver, WA. Posts: 383	Oh hmmmm I didn't see this before we went to get new food / treats but so far he is responding well to the gradual switch and isn't itching as much either.. when I talked to the health food dog store she said many dogs that have allergies are food related - maybe she just wanted to sell me food IDK. We have him gradually eating Salmon & Sweet Potato grain free as well as treats. I was giving him fish oil until we gave him this food then kind of stopped thinking it might be over kill to use the oil too again IDK but something seems to be working. I should still look into that allergy test, I will ask my vet about that I am surprised they didn't mention or offer it. __________________ Bear - 11 y/o GSD - RIP, we miss you & we know Duke would love you so much! Duke - 1 year old ( Aug. 6th, 2008 ) Chloe - 2 y/o kitty

12-10-2012, 12:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
msvette2u Banned Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Beautiful Pacific NW Posts: 11,005	It could also be dry air. I'd keep the food the same but add salmon oil in a pump like Grizzly salmon oil. Only 10% of dog allergies are to foods.

12-10-2012, 03:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
Litz Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 33	I've been dealing with constant itchiness with my Emma, and have yet to determine the cause. We've tried many different foods, seen the vet several times... Nothing seems to help. I don't think it's environmental for us since it is consistent throughout the year. My understanding is that the scratching would be seasonal, or more prominent certain times of year if it were enviro. Have not tried supplements or salmon oil...I'll look into that. Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App

12-15-2012, 06:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
nlsst9 New Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 22	I've had major issues with Piper and allergies. I had an allergy test done and it listed all the things he was allergic to which helped in finding new food. For instance he is allergic to chicken so I can buy no treats or food with chicken. As far as treats go I give him duck jerky which works very well. I've been adding fish oil into his food which also seems to be helping with his itching problem. It's been a long road to find what works but you'll get there.

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