Does food affect itching in dogs?

 

The relationship between itching and food may be two-fold: dogs may be itching more due to food-related allergies, or food may lower inflammation and help manage itching caused by environmental allergens. Either way, the gut and skin are definitely connected, with a dog’s diet heavily influencing skin and coat health. If your dog is not allergic to chicken, it is an ingredient that’s high in vitamin B6, which helps regulate inflammation. Other anti-inflammatory ingredients include fatty fish like mackerel for omega fatty acids; blueberries, spinach, broccoli, etc., for antioxidants; yogurt that balances gut microbes; bone broths that soothe the gut; etc.


Why does this matter?

  • If dogs eat food that has any ingredient/s that they are allergic to, this very commonly manifests as skin allergy. Allergy to proteins, for example, is quite common, and may cause dogs to scratch at their skin, lick at their paws, etc.

  • Environmental allergens often cause inflammation of the skin, which may worsen to become an infection. In such cases, their diet can help reduce skin inflammation and boost immunity to fight off infections. 

What do vets generally agree on?

Research shows that the gut and skin of a dog are connected. So gut microbiomes can influence skin conditions in dogs. Now, a healthy gut is associated with a high-quality diet. Therefore, it may be concluded that a high-quality diet can positively impact the skin and reduce itching. A compromised skin barrier may also cause itchiness in dogs, and food rich in omega fatty acids do help in strengthening the skin barrier. This, again, is another way of food affecting itchiness in a positive way. 


However, food may also affect itchiness in dogs in a negative way, especially if they are allergic to something that they are eating. 

When to be careful?

Itchiness cannot only be influenced by food, whether in a good or bad way. It is always crucial to first figure out the cause for excessive itching in dogs. Ticks, fleas, and other parasites may cause itchiness that cannot be dealt solely with food. Sometimes, stress and anxiety may also make dogs scratch themselves repeatedly. So, figuring out the root cause of itchiness will guide you on whether food can help with that particular kind of itchiness or not. In case itchiness is not food-related, a high-quality diet that’s rich in omega-3 and antioxidants can help with the inflammation. BLEP dog food is 100% natural, has zero preservatives, fillers or sugar, and has human-grade high-quality ingredients. Therefore, it can help support a healthy gut and skin. 

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