Can't stop itching

[KatarinasMom]

My almost 6 mo old female can't seem to stop itching.....I've thoroughly checked her for fleas and found none and her skin does not have any "crusties" or unusual looking patches of any kind. I've been feeding her Canidae All Stages for a little over a month now, but she was itchy even before that (I had previously fed her Iams before reading the postings about food here). I recently started adding plain yogurt to her dry food after reading here that it helps prevent gas, but other than that I haven't given her anything "new" food-wise that would make me think this is an allergic reaction.....and she was itchy even before I started the yogurt. I've noticed that when brushing her she has a little bit of flakey, dandruff-like skin. Is it possible for her to just have dry skin? And if so, any suggestions anyone may have to relieve it would be greatly appreciated.

[Dugganmom]

You can try benadryl...my lab has really bad allergies and has has to take benadryl alot...until we have figured out excatly why she has them(process of elimination..) Hershey is about 80lbs and takes 3 benadryl at a time. The weight i know we are working on weight loss with her and duggan right now....good luck!! If you dog keeps itching a trip to the vet is probably in order.

[groupieindenial]

Recently here on RDN, a few dogs have had itchy reactions to detergents. Have you tried using a gentler, or natural detergent on the dogs bedding?

Benadryl treats the symptoms, but you do have to figure out what is causing the itching. Whether its food, or environmental. Its definately not allergy season, so its probably safe to say it isn't to pollen.

Dry skin in general CAN lead to excessive itching. Try adding OMEGA 3 capsules from wild salmon (try up to 1500 - 2000 MG/day). Check to see if the EPA/DHA content is high in whatever you use. This not only helps the skin repair itself, it also acts as an immune booster. So you can't go wrong in supplementing with this. Wouldn't hurt to add buffered vit C (AKA ester-c), similar benefits, except its not a fatty acid.

[rencook]

Also, how long have you had your heat on in your house?? My guys tend to get a little dandruff and itchier this time of year when I turn on my oil heat-I just up their fish oil to two a day until they get used to the heat!

[spidey]

When was her last bath and are you sure you rinsed her throughly enough? Shampoo left on the skin, even a tiny bit, can make a dog REALLY itchy for a very long time.

I agree that this could be a contact or inhalant allergy, or simply dry skin from dry air.