Invest In A Humidifier
If the air is particularly dry, this can cause your German Shepherd to itch too. This is particularly prevalent during the winter months when electric heaters and log fireplaces are running.
This can dry out the air, and by extension, your dogs skin.
Humidifiers work by introducing more moisture into the air. This can help to alleviate some skin conditions and improve the overall health of your dog.
They can emit either a warm or a cool mist, and some are capable of both.
You should place the humidifier close to where your dog spends most of its time. This will help to ensure they get as much benefit from the humidifier as possible.
It is a good idea to place the humidifier out of reach of your dog to ensure they do not knock it over and hurt themselves.
Do not point it directly at your dog as they may become wary and move if any mist or discharge from the humidifier is suddenly sent their way.
Here Are Some Of My Favorite German Shepherd Supplies
Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it helpful and useful as you raise and train your German Shepherd.
Here are some of my favorite reviews for German Shepherd supplies that I personally use and recommend. If you do decide to purchase them, please remember that Ill earn a small commission which helps me maintain this website.
Do Not Use Fragrance Sprays
The respiratory and olfactory systems of dogs are far superior to that of humans.
Their sense of smell is more than 400 times stronger than a human, meaning that they are incredibly sensitive to odors.
There are many smells, such as ylang-ylang, which can actually irritate and cause harm to your dog.
If your German Shepherd is already itching, their symptoms may be worsened by the use of room fragrances or perfume sprays.
We do not recommend burning scented candles or incense in the vicinity of your dog. In extreme cases, you may wish to consider stopping using aerosol deodorant and perfume sprays.
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Can I Use Human Hydrocortisone Cream On My Dog
This steroid cream is a corticosteroid that is used for topical applications in humans in order to address skin issues caused by infections, allergies, and other problems. It is not an approved medication for canines, but it can be used in small quantities on dogs if they have inflammation and itching of the skin.
What Exactly Does A German Shepherd Skin Disorder Look Like
The German Shepherd is a medium-sized long dog with a well-developed muscular body and a very strong skeletal structure. The smooth, velvety, soft texture of a German Shepherds fur is one of the main attractions, along with their distinctive look in all of the right poses.
The front of the dog has a short, dense coat that consists of dense, white hair. The insides of the dogs skin are also white with small black eyes and a white underbelly. In the rear area of the dogs skin, there are four to six black hairs instead of the normal white. Skin irritation and allergies can be caused by dust, fleas, or other substances. In most cases, it is the result of a bacterial or fungal infection.
German Shepherds need proper nutrition to keep their coats in top condition. A regular visit to your German Shepherds vet ensures that the appropriate nutrition is being received. Along with maintaining a healthy diet, you should also give your German Shepherd regular exercise to keep the dog fit and healthy.
When proper hydration and exercise are provided, the shedding and skin issues that German Shepherds suffer from become much less likely. They enjoy lots of attention and love from everyone who owns one of these dogs.
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Flea Dermatitis Or Flea Allergy In German Shepherd
Flea dermatitis is one of the most common skin problems in German shepherds and this becomes a flea allergy in this breed because shepherds are allergic to fleas and flea saliva.
When your pup is bitten they will develop symptoms of inflamed skin and itchy skin that they will constantly lick, bite, chew and rub. They can end up with open sores which can, in turn, lead to a secondary infection.
Prevention is the key to avoiding flea dermatitis by using flea products to repel fleas such as a collar, drops, or pills. Discuss this with your pups veterinarian first to make sure the products you choose are safe.
If you end up with a full-blown flea infestation, your whole house will need to be treated preferably by an exterminator. Your shepherd will need a flea bath to rid them of the fleas and dont forget to wash your pups bedding as fleas gather there. Eliminating all fleas is essential.
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As well as skin problems, fleas can cause bacterial infections, anemia, and tapeworms.
References And Further Reading
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How Is Yeast Dermatitis Treated
Treatment for yeast dermatitis may be topical, oral, or a combination of both, and is based on the severity of your dogs condition.
Topical treatment. Treatment with medicated shampoos is a vital part of treating yeast dermatitis. Many dogs with greasy or oily skin will require an initial degreasing cleansing with a shampoo containing selenium sulfide or benzoyl peroxide. After the initial bathing is complete, bathing with an anti-fungal shampoo containing chlorhexidine, miconazole, or ketoconazole is performed. It is important the anti-fungal shampoo remain in contact with the skin for at least ten minutes. To be effective, this topical treatment is required every 3-5 days for two to twelve weeks. If the infection is in the ears or in only one or two spots on the skin, a topical ointment may be prescribed for daily use.
Oral treatment. In more severe, chronic, or persistent cases of yeast dermatitis, the use of oral or systemic anti-fungal medications is often required. Many dogs with yeast dermatitis will also have a bacterial skin infection and will require antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection for typically four to twelve weeks. Oral anti-fungal medications include ketoconazole, itraconazole, and fluconazole.
German Shepherd Skin Issues And Treatment Options
The German Shepherd is a multifaceted dog with a loving nature and extremely loyal temperament. They are incredibly smart and easily trained for a multitude of various jobs and tasks. They partake in a wide range of important jobs including guiding the blind, drug detection, police and military work, search and rescue, therapy and more. German Shepherds make brilliant companions and excellent guard dogs due to their protective nature. They are traditionally known for their beautiful black and brown furry coats but unfortunately the breed is susceptible to a variety of skin allergies that can lead to irritating and often painful skin issues. It is very important to recognize German Shepherd skin issues to make sure that you can appropriately treat them.
This article will cover all of the possible German Shepherd skin issues that your dog can face including environmental, food-related and genetic allergies.
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Bathing Your German Shepherd With A Coconut Oil Treatment
A coconut oil treatment leaves your dogs skin velvety smooth and helps create a healthier skin protective layer.
These treatments also improve the health of your dogs nails and paw pads.
- Apply coconut oil straight to the skin. Let the oil absorb for about five minutes. Massage the oil into dry areas prone to itching.
- With your double-coated GSD, its difficult to get down into the skin through the thickness of the furinvest in a Zoom Groom tool for better results and ease of use. The Zoom Groom brush is soft and gentle.
- After five minutes of massage and letting the oil sit, apply this moisturizing coconut-based shampoo and work the shampoo in with the Zoom Groom massaging brush. This removes dead hair and loosens dry, flaky skin.
- Finish with a thorough rinse to remove all traces of the shampoo and coconut oil. Any shampoo left on the skin leaves your dogs skin more irritated if not rinsed completely.
- Over washing your German Shepherd can lead to more skin dryness and irritation, so dont bathe them more than once a month.
Maybe you want to use coconut oil, but dont want to provide a full spa experience for your dog. If youd rather avoid bathing your dog, follow the easier recommendations below.
German Shepherd Itching Constantly
None of us want to see our German Shepherd itching like crazy and constantly in discomfort.
Or, worsein pain from their own skin!
But there are solutions for German Shepherd allergies and dry skin that you can use right now to help your dog from itching like crazy.
Ill show you the exact things I do to help keep my German Shepherd from scratching and itching her dry skin that gives her quick relief. And you can do them right now, too!
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How To Treat Home Allergies
Prevention is usually the best way to combat home allergies. Regular cleaning and vacuuming of your house will reduce the number of dust mites that trigger an allergic reaction in your dog.
Another source of allergy can be found on your dogs bedding and their food bowl. Wash them regularly since they accumulate all the dander from your dogs fur, as well as hair that sheds.
Treatment of symptoms usually consists of antihistamines or steroid medications, depending on the level of symptoms. Your veterinarian will be able to prescribe the most appropriate type for your dogs needs.
How To Treat Crusty Scabs And Other Skin Problems
As you may have noticed, there are many reasons why your pet may suffer from Crusty scabs. This means that treating Crusty scabs is not as easy as just creaming or bathing your dog because you need to find and treat the cause of Crusty scabs.
The best way to do this is to check with a veterinarian and do any necessary tests to make sure your pet is not suffering from an underlying condition that could cause crusty scabs.
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Some of the major treatments used on Crusty scabs target problems such as allergies, irritation, skin imbalance, and flies.
If your pet is suffering from hormonal, immune, or more serious conditions you should see a veterinarian and get medication.
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Treatment For Hot Spots
If you suspect your dog may have a hot spot, the first step is a visit to your veterinarian. While it may be tempting to wait for the hot spot to resolve on its own, delaying treatment will only make the problem worse. In order to treat the hot spot effectively and prevent it from recurring, your veterinarian will need to determine the underlying cause. They will perform a full physical examination on your dog, and may recommend additional testing such as a skin scrape to look for parasites. Once the underlying cause of your dogs itching has been diagnosed, your veterinarian will prescribe appropriate treatment.
Treatment of hot spots typically involves some combination of the following:
Symptomatic Treatment Of Allergies:
Symptomatic treatment is necessary when we cannot identify or remove the cause of the allergic response. It may be that the dog is allergic to a type of foodstuff which is impossible to identify, or a type of pollen which we cannot stop the dog being exposed to.
In these situations, your veterinarian may prescribe medication such as corticosteroids or antihistamines to limit the bodys overall allergic response. As a German Shepherd owner, there are many other ways in which you can help your dog feel more comfortable by treating the symptoms they are suffering from.
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Best Diet For An Allergic Dog
The best diet for an allergic dog is one that specifically says hypoallergenic or anallergenic on it. This is where the proteins on the meat have been hydrolysed which means the gut doesnt recognize it as foreign and therefore doesnt react to it.
On the other hand, if you dont want to purchase these sorts of diet, the next best thing is to substitute the diet for one with a novel protein in which the dog has never reacted to before, such as venison, duck, turkey or tuna.
The best supplement to help with itchy skin are omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and have been effective in reducing skin irritations.
However, it would be a good idea to consult your vet about the diet changes before you introduce something new.
SUMMARY:
If your German Shepherd has food allergies, it will be necessary to change his diet. In most cases, the best diet would be the hypoallergenic one. Including omega-3 fatty acids will help soothe itchy skin.
Causes Of Crusty Scabs: Mange Allergies Infections And More
Dogs have many reasons to get Crusty scoops, so we have broken them down into easily digestible parts.
- Parasites: Parasites are a common cause of crusty scabs on dogs and represent small insects that feed on your dog. They are not always visible and have no obvious symptoms.
- Worms / Mange. Ever heard of fever in dogs? This disorder is caused by worms, which nest in your dogs hair and skin and keep it away from their skin. There are 2 most common types of worms. Scabies worms are rare and cause irritation and itching, while Demodex worms live within scratches and your dogs hair.
- Flies. We ve all heard of flies on dogs, but did you know they cause crusty scabs? Flies cause itching on your dogs skin, which can lead to scratching and pressing on them. This, in turn, creates dry, delicate spots. Although you may not see flies on your pet, they are one of the most common external parasites found on dogs and are not always visible to the naked eye.
- Explode. Another reason for crusty scabs on your dog is because they go into your pets skin and eat their blood. This can irritate your dogs skin and cause them to scratch and create crusty scabs on their body. If it feels like your dog, you can remove the ticks with a device called a tick twister.
You can pinch the ticks head and use your fingers to gently, yet firmly pull the tick out. Hemostats or similar ones also work against the dogs skin by holding it at the base of the head and squeezing out the tick.
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How Can I Soothe My Puppys Rash
When combined with water and blended into a thick paste, baking soda can dry out rashes on the skin, alleviate itching, and reduce redness and inflammation. 6 All you have to do is combine 50 percent baking soda with 50 percent water and apply the paste to your dogs skin. After about 20 minutes, rinse completely.
Hormonal Imbalances And Conditions
Most concerning, however, is the possibility that your dogs belly rash could be a sign of an underlying condition, such as hypothyroidism or Cushings disease. These diseases cause hormonal imbalances in your dogs body, and some of the first obvious symptoms are often skin conditions, such as thinning or loss of coat and changes to the quality of the skin.
You can help your veterinarian catch these diseases early by observing your dog for any changes in coat quality, drinking and urination habits, as well as rashes, hair loss, and dry skin.
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Can Dogs Develop Skin Allergies Over Time
Yes, its very common for dogs to develop an allergy or insensitivity as they get older. This often makes determining the cause all the more complicated. For example, your dog could have spent years eating the same dog food without any issues. But over time, she may develop an insensitivity to one or more of the ingredients.
Coconut Oil Dry Skin Spray
Applying a coconut-based spray is much easier on you and your dog for frequent treatment.
While the sprays rarely contain as much active ingredient as 100% coconut oil, they are easier to apply. The spray moisturizes dry skin and absorbs fully. So your dog is less inclined to lick it and irritate their already painful skin.
I prefer this natural gentle spray, which helps my GSD stop itching and relieves her dry skin. Its got coconut water as the main ingredient.
Brush your German Shepherd first to remove any loose fur and dry skin. Then, spray the coconut oil treatment generously.
You can use the spray multiple times a day. As a bonus, its good for both a skin soother and a smell refresher in between baths.
I find the spray absorbs much better than the solid coconut oil cream. And its easier and less work than trying to rub a solid cream into a thick, double-coated GSD.
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German Shepherd Skin Allergies Prevention Tips
German shepherds commonly get exposed to skin allergies but there are some preventive measures you can follow to reduce their risk of exposure to allergens.
- You should get a flea preventive treatment for your German shepherd every three months.
- Make sure to provide them with a clean environment to minimize allergic reactions. Cleaning your house properly, vacuuming carpets and getting rid of dust mites will help your German shepherd stay safe.
- Regular washing of your dogâs bedding, toys and food bowls is always a good idea to help reduce infections, including skin allergies.
- You should not give your German shepherd a diet containing dyes or preservatives.
- Use an air purifier to cleanse the air. It protects your German shepherd from different infectious agents and allergens.
- Feeding high-quality nutritious food also helps them stay away from allergies. Diet having omega 3 and 6 fatty acids is best for their coat health.
- Avoid taking your German shepherd to places where pollens can be easily found and clean their paws after returning from a walk.
- Regular grooming like bathing and combing their hair twice a week is important to get rid of many allergens.
Give the complete medication dosage prescribed by your vet to heal the allergy completely.
The best thing is to hospitalize your German shepherd if he is showing severe symptoms of skin allergies. Sometimes your vet may recommend visiting a veterinary dermatologist for treatment of severe German shepherd skin allergies.