Any feed pro's?

poiuytrewq

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 April 2008
Messages
21,658
Location
Cotswolds
Visit site
Little labrador has always had very sensitive skin. In the past the vet has given us Malasab which helped deal with the symptoms but they continued to present.
He gets little scabby bits which he licks and licks making it a bit of a vicious circle.
I've noticed it's really quite possibly related to feed because i recently won a bag of dog food- a brand I've not purchased before and his skin improved dramatically. Its now worsened again that we have run out. So the obvious thing would be to buy that brand but he wasn't really keen on it.
So my question is, is there any feed that might come recommended for skin type issues/allergies or is there just something i can look out for (ie- old dog had tummy issues and the vet told me to look for food with higher meat than veg protein)
The food I've been using is Alpha sensitive which he likes and doesn't effect other labs tummy adversely (I'd rather one itched than have to clean up that mess again!!)
I realise its going to be a case of trial and error but if anyone can give me a starting point that would be helpful.
 
The rescue I took on in Feb is quite itchy (and my old dog had a few allergies controlled by vaccination), especially paws. She's much, much better off chicken (not been off it long enough for me to say its 100%)-she's currently on Nature's Menu nuggets (pre-made RAW, all the chicken free ones) and doing really well on it.
Old setter was remarkably better on RAW too-his skin and coat looked great on the NM. He had the allergies (pollen, house dust mite among others) as well as a skin condition that left him susceptible to secondary bacterial infection. Downside is that it isn't cheap, I am just reluctant to do 'home made' RAW.
 
RAW for mine as well. It was initially because my young dog was off his rocker on even the very best dry food, but he'd always had scurfy skin which cleared when we changed. I limit chicken because that seems to set him off with the scurf again to a mild degree. I think if you have a dog with skin problems/allergies then its one of the best options as you know exactly what they are getting
 
That's a great website thank! I will look properly later on my laptop as it's all a bit difficult on my phone.
I especially like the lists of ingredients to check etc
Raw, I will also look into. It's quite literally feeding raw meat right?
This would worry me as my o/h's dog as mentioned seems to poo liquid on anything other than certain dry food!
I'd rather to use dried personally if possible.
 
Ours it great on Forthglade Natural Menu and we use a terrier meal mixer. They also do complete meals which don't need mixer meals.

Super quality and mainly meat as well, lots of flavours to choose from and the cat loves the cat one too!
 
My best guess for the itchy culprits in the Alpha sensitive would be the maize and/or oats. Mine can't tolerate it which is a shame as Alpha sponsor lots of races and I end up giving the bags away or to charities. Try a salmon and rice based food? Skinners Field and Trial is a good quality budget option.
 
I like the white fish and potato from Wainwrights as a food for sensitive dogs. In dry foods, try and go for lower protein levels for hot or itchy dogs. When raw minced meals - meat and bone - are registering protein levels of under 20%, there's no reason I would want to feed a dry food that's tipping 30%.
 
We avoid all grains for our little Bichon, and also peas. We've taken her off natures menu and Fish4dogs because of the pea element, and the itching (although not massive) has disappeared.
 
Top