All dogs like a good scratch every now and then – and usually with enthusiastic enjoyment. But sometimes, pet parents will notice that the scratching is getting a bit out of hand (or paw). Continual scratching or rubbing might be a sign your dog has skin sensitivity or an allergy. These can be a cause of irritation for your dog and concern for you.
But there's plenty you can do to soothe your pooch. And a good starting place is a healthy diet. As with humans, this can be key to combating uncomfortable itches and scratches. Before we dive in with the solutions, let's take a look at the symptoms: how do you know if your dog has sensitive skin?
Spotting sensitive skin
The most obvious sign is over-the-top scratching. If you part your dog's fur, the skin may be red, broken or flaky and they could be losing a bit of hair. They may also be feeling a bit down in the dumps, and who can blame them? After all, they can't tell you where that pesky itch is. You know – the one that's just out of paw's reach.
So, why is your dog's skin sore?
Food Intolerances: some dogs are intolerance to certain foods like cereals or dairy (which is why we're so careful with our ingredients)
Environmental Allergies: pollen, grass and dust can all cause problems for your pooch
Seasonality: you know how your skin can feel dry or tight when the central heating first goes on? Your furry friend may be feeling the same
Parasites: good old fleas, lice and mites...you know the drill. It's off to the vet (say it quietly) for some treatment
Infections: these can be caused by bites, yeast or out-of-control scratching. Again, the V.E.T
Genetics: Some breeds, like German Shepherds, French Bulldogs and Westies, are particularly prone to itchy outbreaks.
Happily, there are simple ways to help, starting with what's for dinner...
How diet can help
Diet plays an enormous part in your dog's general wellbeing, and that includes their skin. Sore or itchy skin could be caused by an allergy, which could in turn be down to what's in their bowl. The answer is to switch to a hypoallergenic dog food like Butternut Box. Our meals have no added (deep breath) wheat, corn, or soy – all of which are known to cause intolerances in dogs.
It's a bit of a squirmish thought, but another very common allergen is storage mites. These little blighters live on and feed off cereal foods and can cause intense itching in dogs. Cutting out dry foods and choosing wet ones – like Butternut Box – means your pooch need never meet a mite.
Just like humans, dogs can have all sorts of food sensitivities. Even certain meats are known to disagree with some pooches, which is why we cook up a choice of recipes and are very careful about cross-contamination. We even go so far as to do a protein swab between recipes (it's very CSI around here) so you can be confident your dog's meal will not have any meat they're intolerant of.
If you suspect an intolerance, it might simply be a case of chew-it-and-see, with you keeping track of your dog's reaction to different foods. We list everything that goes into our meals on our website and we're always happy to chat about any of our ingredients if you're unsure. When you sign up for Butternut Box deliveries, we'll ask you about intolerances to different meats. That's to make sure we only ever send meals that'll have your pup rolling over for a tickly tummy, not grumbling about a sore one.
Tips for keeping skin healthy
Healthy skin starts with good food. And good food is all about balance – with lots of delicious meat and veg. When we're cooking up our tasty meals, we add ingredients (oils, fats and vegetables rich in beta-carotene) that we know help to maintain shiny coats as well as result in clean bowls. Most dogs love the taste and texture of sweet potato and broccoli, and as they contain healthy skin supporting vitamins, they always go into the mix.
Of course, sometimes topical treatments are needed. Sore patches might need special creams or emollients and there are shampoos for sensitive skin that you can use at bath time. Then it's a case of keeping on top of washing and brushing, as well as regular treatments for fleas and other bitey visitors. Pampered pooches might even like a trip to the parlour from time to time.
Transitioning onto Butternut
If you have worked through your dog's concerns with your vet and they have recommended a hypoallergenic diet, then you have come to the right place!
The good news is, we have seven recipes that contain single sources of protein, which means if you choose our turkey recipe, this recipe will only include turkey protein. So, if your vet has advised trying a diet with just one protein at a time for several weeks, then you can safely feed your dog one of these meals.
When it comes to transitioning, we recommend taking things slow and monitoring closely for any flare-ups in your dog's skin. A transition over 7 days or so usually works well and allows your dog's stomach to adjust to the new food. This can be done by mixing a spoonful of Butternut in with their current food and adding an extra spoonful daily, whilst gradually reducing their old food. It's best to try just one single recipe for an extended period of time under your vet's advice.
We know that omega 3 and 6 are beneficial for skin and coat health - our fish recipe is naturally rich in these fatty acids and all of our meals contain ground flaxseed which is another great natural source.
Some dogs may benefit from a novel protein source to keep their skin and coat trouble at bay. Novel proteins are ones that your dog has never been exposed to and therefore as yet have not developed an intolerance. Our Pork This Way and You've Got Game recipe could be a great option - you can see all of our recipes here.
Please note these are feeding guidelines only. We understand you know your pooch best so it's totally understood that you may need to make some changes to suit them.