There are few things more painful to watch than your beloved dog scratching herself to near death.
Medically known as canine atopic dermatitis (CAD), dry, itchy skin can be a major issue for dogs. If left untreated, it can lead to lesions, hair loss, or bacterial infections. It can be caused by a variety of factors, such as a hypersensitivity to allergens.
3 Most Common Types of Canine Allergies
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Food
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Environmental
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Contact
Allergies are a hypersensitive and damaging response of the immune system to external allergens, such as pollen and food. It’s the same for humans and dogs. However, with dogs the signs and symptoms may go unnoticed because our furry friends can’t tell us what’s wrong. So as the leader of the pack, we need to be hyperaware of what to look out for.
Most Common Signs of Allergies in Dogs
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Scratching and biting on skin
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Excessive licking
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Watery eyes
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Paw chewing
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Nasal discharge
- Ear Infections
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Breathing problems (very serious!)
Fortunately, there are many ways to help boost your dog’s immune system and fight the itchy and dry skin. Studies have shown promise with Omega-3 supplementation in the diet of dogs suffering from allergies. And although simply giving your dog a supplement is unlikely to completely erase the symptoms, (always consult your vet for a complete treatment plan) there is pretty clear evidence that Omega-3 fatty acids provide benefits to the immune system, and many dogs are in fact deficient in Omega fatty acids due to the fact that dog’s cannot produce them on their own.
A Problem: Dogs Can’t Produce Vital Omega Fatty Acids
There are many sources of Omega fatty acids. Some believe that dog food delivers all the dog needs. Unfortunately, because Omega’s are susceptible to heat, most of the benefits become biologically unavailable to your dog due to the cooking/treatment temperatures of dog food. This is why many dog owners have turned to a supplement to provide their dog’s daily needs of essential fatty acids.
Why Krill Is The Best Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Unlike fish oils, krill oil contains phospholipids, which our pets’ bodies use to generate their cells’ membranes. Water-soluble phospholipids are also much gentler on pets’ stomachs. Equally important, some studies¹ have shown that the phospholipids in krill are up to 48 times more potent than traditional fish oils and have far superior bioavailability. Finally, due to their small size, short lifespan, and low position on the food chain, krill oil does not contain high levels of mercury and heavy metal contaminates that larger fish such as salmon can contain.
If you’d you like to test what effects krill oil can have on your dog, we’d encourage you to try our Pure Antarctic Krill Sticks. They contain a high concentration of powerful Omega-3’s (you only have to give your dog one every other day). In addition, it doubles as a dental chew and helps keep your dog’s teeth free of plaque and tartar.
Like all of our products sold on iHeartDogs.com, each purchase of our Pure Antarctic Krill Sticks provides 14 meals for rescue and shelter dogs.
The key to remember: Your dog needs Omega fatty acids (supplement, fish meat, whatever the source). So whatever you choose, just make it part of a healthier, happier lifestyle for your dog.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional.
Sources & References
via Whisker Therapy