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I don't know what he has

2K views 12 replies 7 participants last post by  barnyard 
#1 ·
Hello everyone

I been noticing that Hans has been constantly scratching, biting his body and tail, sometimes his tail; also hes been having a lot of flakes. I bathe him and in 3 hes starting to have this weird odor. Currently he is eating Pro-Plan Focus Lamb & rice formula. I don't think the odor has to do with the environment and he get baths 1 time per week, i use a dog shampoo for dry skin and no conditioner. Any advice would be great

Thank you
 
#2 ·
He might have dry skin from being bathed. Just a thought. If you have a vet practice you like just call and see if they can give some advice. I just wonder about dry skin
 
#4 ·
I went there on December, he recommend me to switch foods, and to try the shampoo the shampoo that i have. Although i think there gotta be something else because i did that and still having the same problems. I was wondering if Hans is allergic to dry food or maybe i need to buy a specific food for him. I honestly don't know anything since hes my first GSD
 
#8 ·
Hi Zero and WELCOME!!! :greet:

Pro Plan is made by Purina

These pictures are self explanatory, so please consider changing her to a high quality food:
Inedible Tanker Large.jpg

Purina Plant 1.jpg

Tanker's Behind Fence.JPG


When talking about itching, sensitivities to food are usually the concern and certain ingredients always seem to rear their ugly heads.
In the forefront is chicken and its derivatives (cartilage, fat, eggs, etc.).
Also Grains, Flax, and Yeast supplements.

If you want to try an Elimination diet, it should be a single protein source and keep other ingredients to a minimum. A raw diet usually does the best in these cases but I realize that most people cannot or will not do this.

Raw Foods:
Bravo (it MUST be the Bravo Balance): Discover Bravo Balance<sup>®</sup> Raw Diet | Frozen Raw Dog Food - Bravo Pet Food
Find a store: Find a Bravo Retailer - Bravo Pet Food

Northwest Naturals: Dog Food ? Northwest Naturals
Find a store: Store Locator ? Northwest Naturals

Primal: Complete Raw Diets for Pets: Canine Beef Formula
Find a store: Primal Pet Foods: Store Locator


Darwins: https://www.darwinspet.com/dog-food/3 selections: Natural Selection Premium Line, Prescription Line, ZooLogics Value Line.
Darwins has Home Delivery!: http://www.darwinspet.com/why-darwin...ivery-program/
https://www.mypetcarnivore.com/index...y_id=1&lang=en


Feeding calculator:
Feeding Calculator ? Northwest Naturals

OR There is another way you can feed partial raw:
The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated food is 100% Human Food and is the only pet food in the USA that the FDA legally allows to use the words “Human Food” on their advertising and packaging. There is a BASE MIX to which you add your own raw meat. https://www.thehonestkitchen.com/dog-food/base-mix

OR

Here are some single protein products without any type of chicken ingredients:

THE HONEST KITCHEN DEHYDRATED FOOD: LOVE: https://www.thehonestkitchen.com/love Store Locator: Where to Buy Honest Kitchen - Honest Kitchen Stores | The Honest Kitchen A 10# box RE-hydrates to about 35 pounds of food, but you feed more than kibble because it is real food. You will feed more of this product since it is real food not extruded kibble.


ACANA REGIONALS (grain free) kibble: https://acana.com/our-foods/dog-foods/singles/?lang=usa Store locator: Store Locator | Acana


Nature's Variety (not Nature's Recipe)kibble: SINGLE ingredient Lamb: Instinct Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Kibble Dog Food - Lamb | Instinct Pet Food
Store locator: Find A Store | Nature's Variety
Also available at Petsmart, PetCo.


ZiwiPeak- AIR dried real food - not kibble, it's soft little squares. This is a single protein, 90% meat product. It is expensive but worth the cost in my opinion when you have a dog with allergies.
*An 11 pound bag will last a 70 pound dog approximately 20 days.
*Price is $142.00 but if you get it on the "auto shipped" program the price goes down to $128.00 for 11 pounds at Only Natural Pet: ZiwiPeak Daily Cuisine Grain-Free Air-Dried Dog Food


TREATS: Which ever meat protein you choose, your treats should match them, such as 100% lamb or beef without any other ingredients:
https://sadiesallnatural.com/products/bison-meat-chips.php
https://kccanine-all-natural-dog-treats-usa.myshopify.com/products/prairie-buffalo-soft-jerky-bar
https://www.amazon.com/Bravo-Freeze-Buffalo-Livers-3-Ounce/dp/B004YTZY68
http://www.naturesvariety.com/products/treats/Instinct/biscuits/LIDLamb
http://www.purebites.com/en/products/dog/freeze-dried/lamb/
http://www.purebites.com/en/products/dog/freeze-dried/bison/
http://www.primalpetfoods.com/product/detail/c/12/id/82
http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/dog-food/minimalist-food
http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/brave
Ziwi Peak Treats: Lamb, Beef, Venison: Good-Dog Treats | ZiwiPeak


I would also suggest a high quality Digestive Enzyme (helps to assimilate food) & a ProBiotic (keeps the "good" bacteria in the gut). Since about 75% of the immune system lies in the gut (immune system helps fight allergens) it is very important to keep it very healthy.

Below are 3 products that are for pets but contain Human Grade Ingredients:
Sunday Sundae (Digestive Enzyme & Pro-Biotic Combo): Sunday-Sundae-12oz
Gut Sense: (Pro-Biotic & Pre Biotic): GutSense - certified organic probiotic for dogs
Digest All Plus: (Digestive Enzyme/ProBiotic combo) Wholistic Digest All Plus? - Digestive Support - Canine

I would not bath her that often and especially not with a grain based, oatmeal, shampoo. We only bath our dogs a few times per year.
IF your dog that is possibly sensitive to grains, beware of other GLUTEN BASED ingredients, with names that we do not recognize, that could be in the Doggie Shampoo that you are using!
WHEAT: hydrolyzed wheat protein or triticum vulgare (wheat) or stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl (hydrolyzed wheat protein) or hydroxypropyltrimonium (hydrolyzed wheat protein).
OATMEAL: or avena sativa
BARLEY: hordeum vulgare or maltodextrin (can also be from barley)
RYE: secale cereale
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein can be derived from: Soy, Corn, or Wheat


Organic Shampoo: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011ESJXRW/...sr_pg1_2?psc=1


RINSE:For a natural approach, Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar from a health food store can help with itching. Raw Organic Apple Cider Vinegar has anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. You will know it is organic because you will see “The Mother” (which contains the medicinal properties) floating around in the bottle. It can be used internally (to aide in digestion) and externally (for itching/flaking). Make a 50/50 mix of the the Organic ACV with purified water (not city tap water). After a bath with a mild herbal shampoo (as listed above) or castile soap (from a health food store but NOT GNC) rub the Organic ACV mix down into the skin/coat, working in small areas, until the whole dog is covered including legs and belly. Always be careful of eyes (vinegar stings). Let dog drip dry, do not rinse off. Do not get into eyes or open sores.
Put the mix in a spray bottle and spray on their coats and specific itchy/flaky spots (if skin is not opened) a few times per day till you see improvement. You can also use this mix to wipe out ears.


Hope this helps!
Moms:)
 
#10 ·
You might be interested in this thread :wink2:

S.O.S Pale Gray Dandruff Skin on Back
Problem:
Originally Posted by reggieDJ:
Quote: Hi ,
My 4 year old shepherd has some sort of irritation on her ridge/back. Her coat lost all of its shine and looks like a coarse black cotton ball, definitely has a lot of dandruff in the irritated area and it sort of smells. Not like garbage but musky, I cant put a word to the smell.

Solution:
Originally Posted by reggieDJ
Quote: "Day 4 of the ACV apple cider vinegar and I kid you not its gone!. Reggie's hair is soft, the skin is lightening, the build up is gone and if I scratch her back she doesn't shake her leg, just happily wags her tail. I'm going to continue for another day or two just in case."


Moms:)
 
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