Skin Problems in Dogs and Cats

Problems can also show up due to dietary deficiency or a poor diet in general. Symptoms include such as itching, redness, and poor coat quality.

If no other reason for the problem can be found, it is time to look for food allergies. Simply changing the dog’s or cat’s diet to a higher-quality food will often make a difference. Often, simply adding raw meat to the diet is enough to see an improvement.

If the problem persists, or the pet is already on a healthy diet, then you must look at the specific ingredients in the food. Beef, chicken, corn, and soy are the most common allergens, but cats and dogs, like people, can be allergic to anything. Try eliminating the above four things first; if that doesn’t work, a more drastic “elimination diet” may be necessary. This usually takes at least 6-8 weeks to get a good reading.

If no food allergy can be identified, or if eliminating an offending food has not solved the problem, then you must look to the environment – inside as well as outside. Once an allergic reaction has been allowed to continue for some time, the immune system is taxed, and the body may become sensitive to other irritants.

Play detective! Ask yourself if anything has changed in the house recently: new carpeting, new cabinetry, fresh paint? These things can all give off chemicals that may cause illness. Are the symptoms seasonal? Pollens are a common allergen and are difficult to avoid, especially for a dog. Did the symptoms start suddenly? What happened just before they appeared – vaccinations? Other illness? Emotional upset? Finding and eliminating the cause can be a long and difficult process.

Essential Fatty Acids, also known as Omega-3 and Omega-6, are important nutrients for the skin and coat of dogs and cats. You might also consider certain herbs, such as Milk Thistle or Dandelion, which support the liver and help the body detoxify. Many natural topical products can be used to calm the symptoms.

Bathing is not always the answer. If the dog’s coat is dry, bathing may just make matters worse. If you must bathe, use a gentle shampoo. For dogs or cats with itchy skin, look for oatmeal as one of the ingredients in a pet shampoo.

Another common cause of itching and redness for dogs and cats is flea bite dermatitis. Not all animals are allergic, but fleas will at least cause scratching or biting in all pets, simply because they are annoying! Flea allergies, however, cause the pests to be more than just an annoyance. Symptoms of flea allergy include hair loss, redness, and sometimes sores known as “hot spots”.

If you suspect your pet has fleas but you haven’t seen any, look for the tell-tale black “specks” at the base of the hairs. Fleas particularly love the areas at the base of the tail, ears, and hind legs (where they meet the belly). To determine if the specks are flea dirt (dried blood) and not just dirt, put some on a white paper or cloth and wet it. If they turn red, you’ve got fleas.

Some diseases cause symptoms in the skin and coat. Thyroid imbalances may cause a dull, flaky, or greasy coat and sometimes hair loss. Skin and ear infections are common with Cushing’s Disease.

There are some diseases specific to the skin. Mange is caused by a mite and causes lesions and hair loss, usually around the mouth and eyes. This most often clears up on its own, but some dogs and cats cannot rid themselves of the mites and have a more severe case. Ringworm is a highly contagious fungus affecting cats, dogs, and people (especially children). It shows up as circular lesions that are raw, hairless, and scaly. The disease spreads rapidly.

Boredom or anxiety can cause a dog to lick its paws repeatedly and constantly, resulting in “lick granulomas”. These are raised nodules, often rough and scaly. There is also a group of autoimmune diseases called Pemphigus, which causes scaly skin, scabs, abs, and pustules. Some breeds are particularly susceptible to the disease.