The most common dog ailment is itching! There are many factors that cause itching. The most common are mange, yeast, and allergic reactions. here we'll learn about the itching caused by mange. One of the most common forms of mange in household pets is demodectic mange.

"Also called demodicosis or Red Mange, demodectic mange in dogs is caused by a sensitivity to and overpopulation of Demodex canis (a mite) if the animal's immune system is unable to keep the mites under control. There are two types of demodectic mange: localized and generalized. Localized consists of 4 spots or less. Most dogs are immune to demodectic mange, however dogs with compromised immune systems and the elderly are at a higher risk. It is not contagious to humans." -Wikipedia

One way to fight against demodectic mange is to maintain a healthy diet that consists of plenty of healthy fats and meat protein. A raw diet is a good way to help prevent  this unsightly and irritating problem. The nutrients in Dinovite for dogs supplement support the dog's immune system. The immune system provides a barrier that keeps the mites in check, thus protecting your dog from the ever present parasite.


How A yeast Infection Causes Itching in Dogs:

  Here we are going to learn about how your dog's itching can be caused by yeast. A yeast infection (or overgrowth) is a direct result of too many carbs, starches, and grains in the diet. These break down into sugars in your dog's body feeding the yeast. So you are really feeding the yeast, not your dog. When the yeast gets out of control, this is when your dog starts to itch and scratch. This is the number one most common household pet ailment. The most common symptoms of  an overgrowth of yeast are; licking and biting the toes or feet, shaking his head, (This happens when the yeast forms down inside the ear canal.) scratching at their ears, red bumpy or irritated patches of skin or rash, dark or blackening spots on skin, oozy or crusty places in the skin, and funky "corn-chip" odor. 

A dog's ear can be a very sensitive area to clean the yeast out of, so make sure to not use a harsh astringent such as alcohol. Use instead, a natural gentle cleanser like DogOsuds You can also use a little bit of hydrogen peroxide. It doesn't burn, but foams and disinfects. It's great for cuts, burns, open sores/wounds and more. It will help to clean out the infection. However, these temporary solutions are just that, temporary. To have lasting yeast free results, you MUST change their diet.

Yeast can also come out through the pores in the skin and have a very un-fresh yucky smell even after he's been bathed. To help prevent yeast over-growth, a Meat protein based diet devoid of carbs must be set in place, and followed strictly. Once you begin this process, he may exhibit some worsening of his symptoms for a few days or weeks. This naturally occurs when the body purges the yeast. It is a necessary part of the process of the body eliminating the infection. To help your dog stay comfortable during this period, you can gently bathe your dog in a luke-warm bath with a mild natural shampoo. This will help soothe his irritated skin, and cleanse his skin while you wait for the yeast to diminish. To get rid of yeast, or to learn more about it, click here. To learn how to prepare a raw diet for your dog, click here.

How Allergic Reactions Cause Itching in Dogs:

Here we'll discuss how allergic reactions can cause itching in your dog. An allergic reaction can be caused by almost anything. Different foods or toxic substances like household cleaners. A reaction can also be from an outside source such as bug bites or stings. An allergic reaction can also stem from medications, vaccines, or flea and tick preventative drops etc.  Whatever the cause, allergies can throw a wrench in daily life for thousands of dogs all over the world.

The most common and avoidable allergies are usually environmental and food. The core reason for these two types of allergies is a low/weak immune system. A healthy dog should not go outside and come back in itching from being in the grass, walking in the weeds or rolling on a plant. When a dog has a reaction to their natural habitat, you know it's time to do something! A dog should be able to run and play, and roll in the grass all day! One of the best and easiest ways to prevent the environmental "allergy" is not remove the dog from his environment, but rather build up his immune system to handle being in his environment.

To build up his immune system, you need to feed a nutritional diet filled with meat proteins, minerals, vitamins and good fats such as Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. Without these key diet staples your dog will not only suffer from itchiness, but can develop serious medical conditions as well from lack of proper nutrition. Good foods to start with are a grain free  variety of kibble or wet food, raw ground beef, canned salmon or mackerel, and or a few canned sardines once in a while. (Chicken or turkey or other meats are good as well. Make sure they get the fat.)

The canned salmon and canned mackerel are not only high in protein, but have a great amount of omega fatty acids. The omega fatty acids are what keep your dog's coat shiny, and from being dry. It also improves brain function. This being said, if you prefer not to feed fish (for the fishy smell) than ground beef, with a little bit of  LickOchops, is a great way to provide the protein and the fats they need with less odor!

Once you've got your dog on a meaty diet, you will begin to see small changes in your dog's endurance. He'll gradually be able to stay outside longer, or roll in the lawn without becoming a walking ball of allergies. He'll have more energy and he'll be less affected by what's going on around him. If you have questions about how to start a raw diet Click Here. Other signs of general health improvement are a tighter, thicker, less sparse coat, a shiny coat, skin not doing that "crawly thing" when being scratched, and less flaky healthy skin.