Essential Fatty Acids can be extremely helpful in clearing
up mild skin problems. Herbs that assist the kidneys and
liver in detoxifying are also very helpful. There are many
natural topical products that 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. Oatmeal is a good shampoo ingredient to
look for for a dog with itchy skin.

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 kown as “hot spots”.

If you suspect your pet has fleas but you haven’t actually
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 them. If they turn red, you’ve got fleas.

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

There are some specific skin diseases as well. 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
cause scaly skin, scabs and pustules. Some breeds are
particularly susceptible to the disease.

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Elyse Grau is an herbalist and a long-time pet owner,
well-versed in pet nutrition and feeding. She is the author
of Pet Health Resource, your web guide to a healthy, happy
dog or cat. See her website for
http://www.pethealthresource.com
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