Feedback Wanted Re Decent Food For Skin/allergies?

[Loungefly]

Hi all,

Just curious if any of you would have some feedback re a problem I'm having with my pup.

Mia, my 7 month old Lab/Kelpie cross, has been scratching often the past few months. We had a pretty bad flea problem for a while. Having never owned a dog with allergies we pretty much assumed that the fleas were the main culprit. We managed to get the flea problem under control just over a month ago and the scratching hasn't subsided, so we're thinking it's something that could be helped by changing her diet.

Ever since we brought her home when she was 9 weeks old, we've been feeding her Supercoat Puppy dry food and Nature's Gift Puppy wet food. We always thought Supercoat was a good choice as it fits within our limited budget, yet it seems to be better quality than typical supermarket brands.

I guess I'm looking for a food to try that won't break the budget but will help with her skin/ allergy problems. I've searched the forums for different 'budget' brands and find all the different views and responses a little overwhelming. Some people say this, others say no, try this.

I noticed Supercoat has a Sensitive line of dry food that seems like it might be worth a try. I noticed Purina Pro Plan has something similar, but it's way out of our price range. I've seen others recommend Coprice, Bonnis, Boomer, etc but I'm assuming these are just general budget food recommendations and not foods that would potentially help with skin irritation.

We're really anxious to get this scratching problem under control since it's obviously causing her discomfort. We enrolled her in obedience class a few weeks ago and she's coming along really well with that, but the frequent distractions caused by her incessant scratching makes it harder that it needs to be. I'm just thinking about how much more she would get out of it if she weren't having to cope with this all the time.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Edited March 28, 2010 by Loungefly

[Mas1981]

Thats a tough question, I would try go raw if you have the time and freezer space, I also have an itchy dog, its only at certain times of the year though, now is one of them. Unfortuatly most of the good quality dry foods for sensitive skins are more expensive then tha cheaper foods BUT you end up feeding much less so it actually works out the same. I pay around $118 for the food I feed my boy, its 14Kg bag and it lasts us around 3 or 3,5 months so its just over $30 a month which really isnt bad at all IMO.

[becandcharch]

Our rescue girl was quite itchy when we got her. Vet suggested Roo for 8 weeks and then if she stopped itching introduce other meats one at a time.

All itching stopped and we have had her on only chicken for just 3 days and she has totally started itching again.

[sas]

I would suggest you start with a consultation with your vet to try and pin-point the problem before you waste your money on trying different foods when food allergies are actually more rare than people are led to believe.

I have an allergic dog and sensitive kibble in different brands doesn't do anything for him. He's currently on the Vets all Natural diet.

Edited March 28, 2010 by sas

[persephone]

I agree- the itch could be caused by an allergy to pollen/grass/detergent/ shampoo/carpet cleaner.... grains/certain meat types,fleas...ANYTHING

Try a vet first would be my recommendation.

[all that glitters]

Sorry to hijack the thread but on the topic of allergies - I was told by someone that in their experience hot spots are usually always a sign of food allergies causing itching -- opinions?

[ShesaLikeableBiBear]

Hope the OP has no objection to our discussing hot spots and their relation to food allergies?.

My boy Panda had been on Nutro Natural Choice for 5 years prior to moving to QLD from NZ in May 2005, he had never had a hot spot previously. In his first summer here he developed a hot spot whicn spread pretty well over most of him. That has been the only time he has had a hot spot and he is still on Nutro.

So in his case no it was not food related.

[sandra64]

have you tried good ol flaxseed oil on the food.? its worth a try. and a bit of apple cider vinegar, and the hot spot issue, my dogs got them once when they used to be able to jump in the river that runs at the back of our property(theres were caused by moist skin not food allergies) never had one since.

Edited March 28, 2010 by sandra64

[sas]

Sorry to hijack the thread but on the topic of allergies - I was told by someone that in their experience hot spots are usually always a sign of food allergies causing itching -- opinions?

I don't think so, I understand some breeds seem affected by them such as Labradors?

My boy has never had a hot spot and has a number of food allergies.

[Mas1981]

I agree- the itch could be caused by an allergy to pollen/grass/detergent/ shampoo/carpet cleaner.... grains/certain meat types,fleas...ANYTHING

Try a vet first would be my recommendation.

Pollens, grass and detergents make my boy itch, I have had him on a few different foods and it doesnt seem to make a difference which it wont if they are contact allergies.