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In my house, we have a heart for problem dogs. I certainly don’t mean that we view our dogs as a “problem” — simply that they’ve been mistreated or neglected in a way that’s resulted in some problematic behavior. Since our early days of working with severely abused rescues, we’ve come to expect these issues. So our recovery “team” includes skilled animal behaviorists and some very dedicated veterinarians.

But in recent years, we’ve also added a holistic nutritionist to the mix. I started noticing that many of our pups would tend toward food allergies and compromised immunity — possibly resulting from too many years of a poor or inconsistent diet. Though to be fair, I’ve seen plenty of similar issues in non-rescues, too. It certainly makes sense that certain canines (like certain humans) may just be a bit more sensitive than others.

Our Maizy is a prime example. Soulful, intuitive, and winsomely shy, this sweet girl spent the early part of her life confined to a puppy mill cage. Maizy wouldn’t hurt a fly — but but we quickly learned that she can do herself some serious damage when her itchy, annual bumper crop of hot spots act up in the fall.

Any pet parent who cares for an allergic pup knows that it can really put a damper on your daily lifestyle. The cones, the creams, the clouded antihistamine haze, the self-harming behaviors that often kick in the moment you turn your back. With Maizy, the tiniest hot spot can quickly bloom into an angry brushfire that leaves her chewing and clawing maniacally.

We’ve tried nearly every remedy — and while I’m not professing to offer any guaranteed cures, I do want to share the trial-and-error ways we’ve developed over time to help Maizy. I’ve also included personal observations about what’s worked best in our case when it comes to dealing with an itchy dog.

1. Dial in on diet

Does your dog smell like a big, fluffy corn chip? Close your eyes, take a quick whiff, and consider. Our Maizy normally exudes this faint aroma — and according to our animal nutritionist, that “snack chippy” smell often signals skin-level yeast overgrowth. Some pets naturally tend toward this condition, and others attain it as the result of a carb-heavy diet (aka the “constant kibble and crunchy cookie” regimen).

Yeast overgrowth on the skin can lead to an itchy dog with dry, scaly, irritated patches; even fungal infections. We’ve helped Maizy achieve a degree of itch relief by calibrating her carb intake, then subbing in fresh, human-grade protein every day. We feed her limited-ingredient Zignature Duck Formula Kibble as a base, then top it off with supplemental veggies and a specific amount of ground turkey or duck depending on her symptoms. Certainly, there are some very good low-carb/no-carb prepared dog food brands available, but we prefer to customize Maizy’s diet as her seasonal symptoms ebb and flow. This allows us to vary proportions and gauge how she’s responding. A word of caution, though: If you opt to prepare your own pet food, it’s always smart to consult with a pet nutritionist who can ensure you’re including the proper percentage of fats, minerals and nutrients.

2. Know your proteins

Speaking of proteins, they’re not all created equal — especially if you follow the philosophies of Chinese medicine. Some are classified as “warming,” others “cooling.” Proteins like duck, rabbit, or fish are generally considered cooling, and, according to Chinese theory, are the most healing for dogs who suffer from allergies. In contrast, proteins like lamb or venison are considered the hottest proteins. These can sometimes act like kerosene on a fire when it comes to aggravating allergic flare-ups.

But also remember that grains themselves have different characteristics. Corn and oats tend to be considered “bad guys” when it comes to triggering canine food allergies. Starchy binders like white potato can spike insulin and cause a host of complications, too. That’s why we mainly stick with foods that use “alternative” carb binders such as sweet potatoes, brown rice, green peas, or chickpeas. These are more novel to a dog’s system, not necessarily converted to sugar as quickly, and often less likely to cause sensitivities.

3. Go with your gut

Vets and animal nutritionists continue to remind us that the digestive system (the “gut”) has a tremendous impact on the body’s overall immune system. So we like to supplement Maizy’s daily diet with a pet-specific probiotic and plant-based enzyme powder called “Digest-All Plus” by Wholistic Pet. We just sprinkle about a half-teaspoon over her morning meal. In addition, we add about a teaspoon of Grizzly Salmon Oil for dogs, half a teaspoon of coconut oil, plus another teaspoon of organic ground flaxseed. This is a great way to include a boost of calming Omega-3s, which can help soothe our itchy dog’s skin and coat problems.

4. Explore prescription possibilities

Human doctors often advise surgical or arthritis patients to “stay ahead of the pain” with specific, timed medication doses. In much the same way, Maizy’s vet advocates “staying ahead of the itch” with a low-dose antihistamine at regular intervals. Depending upon the severity level of Maizy’s seasonal allergies, this sometimes works wonderfully… and sometimes not at all. We started her out on Benadryl, which is fairly safe but can cause considerable drowsiness.

Currently, we find that a very small dose of the prescription antihistamine Hydroxyzine is a bit more effective at keeping her comfortable, calm and alert. I no longer use sustained regimens of prednisone with any of my pups, due to the high potential for long-term side effects — including immune system suppression, plus pronounced liver and kidney damage. However, this is a personal choice that should be discussed with a qualified veterinarian. In cases where a dog is unable to achieve relief any other way, it can sometimes be the only realistic option.

5. Explore essential oils

I haven’t really embraced the essential oil craze, but based on a decent amount of observational evidence, I’d say it’s certainly worth trying as a supportive approach (for both the dog and the frazzled human caregiver). If you prefer pre-packaged pet oils, it’s often safest to stick with established brands (such as Pampered Pet). However, here at my house we whip up our own — it’s easy, and I can monitor every ingredient with my own eyes!

One blend that’s been especially soothing for Maizy’s itchy skin is 2 tablespoons of almond or coconut oil plus 10 drops of lavender essential oil. We simply massage this mixture into minor skin irritations to help reduce the itch, kill bacteria and even soothe her anxiety.

Another incredibly beneficial oil is neem, which is a vegetable oil pressed from the fruits and seeds of a specific evergreen species. Neem has powerful antibacterial properties, but it’s normally far too strong to use by itself. So we always dilute neem at least 3:1 with another calming oil such as lavender, coconut, or cardamom, then gently spritz this mixture onto abraded areas once or twice daily.

Oh, and while we’re on the subject of all things oil: Another oil-related option you can try is Lampe Berger, a scented line of air-purifying oils, which were originally developed for hospital use. These didn’t really ease Maizy’s allergy symptoms, but they’re quite calming and made the house smell fantastic.

6. See the light

Like many dogs, Maizy struggles with both food sensitivities and environmental allergies (the double whammy — yippee!). So we’ve explored numerous ways to avoid overtaxing her immune system. One approach that’s worked wonders is having our air ducts cleaned every few years. It’s amazing (in a fairly “ick” kind of way) to see how much dust and debris can accumulate deep inside a home’s ventilation system.

The last time we had a duct cleaning, we also decided to install a tiny APCO UV light. If you think about it, keeping windows shut for weeks and months at a time causes the same indoor air to circulate repeatedly. This means that accumulating mold, allergens and other contaminants can continue recirculating as well. According to the EPA, indoor air is an average of five times more polluted than outdoor air. APCO is a UV germicidal light that purifies indoor air without ozone or chemicals. Circulating air flows over the light apparatus, which reduces airborne pathogens like mold, bacteria, and viruses. We noticed fewer allergy symptoms in both our dogs (and in us) within the very first week of installation.

Do you struggle with ongoing canine allergies? What are some strategies that have worked best for you? Share your ideas and insights!

Read more about handling an itchy dog on Dogster.com: 

• Coconut Oil for Dogs: How it Cured My Dog’s Itchy Skin
• What Are Environmental Dog Allergies and How Do You Treat Them?
• Reasons Dogs Itch or Scratch Themselves

About the author: Marybeth Bittel is a freelance writer who lives in the Midwest with her wonderful husband, her crazy rescue dog Grant, and her level-headed rescue dog Maizy – all of them Heinz 57 mixed breed types. Marybeth identifies as mostly Italian, so she enjoys feeding family, friends and furkids almost as much as Grant and Maizy enjoy eating. She’s also a marketing communications consultant and former marketing/PR exec. Connect with her on LinkedIn or — to see her latest pet pics (and be careful what you wish for here) — check out her family Instagram feed.

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Have you ever screamed, “Who peed on the carpet?!” knowing full well it wasn’t your teenager or mother-in-law who just happened to be out for a visit. It’s safe to say that any human in your house is not a suspect. You didn’t really have to ask the question and certainly didn’t have to scream it out loud. It was the dog. Your adorable, sweet and loving pup is the one peeing in the house. If you live with a dog, you can expect pee to happen. But don’t worry. I’m here to help you understand the whys and what to do about a dog peeing in the house.

Understand why your dog pees in the house

There are four main reasons why a dog may be tinkling in places he shouldn’t:

1. Your pup isn’t housetrained yet.

I’m often asked how I housetrained my darling 12-year-old pup, Riggins. I can tell you that it included a celebratory chant and march.

When Riggins successfully “did his business” in the sod box on the balcony of our third-story apartment, I would march around the dining room table clapping and chanting a few rounds of, “Treat for the good boy!” My proud pup would march right behind me, head held high, as we made our way to his edible reward.
The positive reinforcement was obviously very important. I’m not sure the rest of the ritual was necessary, but it made it more fun.

2. Your dog is dealing with anxiety.

If your dog soils inside while you’re gone, he may be suffering from separation anxiety.

Tips: Turn to a professional trainer or behaviorist for the most effective way to solve this problem.

Also, take your dog to doggie daycare to keep him distracted and mentally engaged in healthy activity. As an extra bonus, your sweet baby will probably be pooped when you pick him up.

3. Your dog is marking.

More likely than not, you’ll have to deal with marking at some point in your dog-owning life. As a dogsitter, I can’t tell you how many times a dog and his owner would come in for a meet and greet, and the pup would make a beeline to a piece of furniture and pee on it. “He never does that!” the pup’s parents will exclaim.

It turns out they aren’t liars. It very well may be the first (or one of the few times) their pup has marked inside. Imagine if you were that pup. You walk into a strange place, with all new things, everything smells like dog — EVERYTHING. What’s a pup to do? Claim a piece of the pie, that’s what!

4. Your dog is sick or a senior.

If you suddenly notice your dog peeing in the house, check in with your vet. There are several health-related issues that could be causing the new behavior.
Like us humans, senior dogs can have an issue holding their bladder. I have a senior Chihuahua friend who likes to spend time lying on my chair behind me while I work. Every time I pick him up to set him on my office furniture he pees a little. I deal with it because I love him!

Dog peeing in the house? How to clean it up

Get to the pee when it’s wet.

• The faster you clean up an accident, the less likely you’ll get stuck with lingering smells.
• Place paper towels, newspaper or an absorbent chamois on top of and under (if possible) the messed area. Blot, don’t rub, until all the moisture is removed.
• Blot that same area with clean water.

Waited too late and now it’s dry?

• Don’t use a steam cleaner. You’ll want to, thinking it will make things better. It won’t. The heat will reactivate the smell and make things worse. Use a wet-vac on these spots instead.
• Use pet odor neutralizer, or try the natural solution of covering the area in baking soda overnight and blotting with a vinegar/water solution in the morning.
• Use hydrogen peroxide to help with stubborn areas, but spot test an area of your flooring or furniture first to make sure the bleaching properties in the liquid won’t be a problem.
• When all else fails, call out the professionals. Carpet cleaners will often charge more for areas that are pee stained, but it’s worth it!
• If you, like Riggins and I did for the first year of his life, live in an apartment or small place, consider a sod box or pee pad as an option. Personally, I got sick of changing out sod and the amount of effort it took to clean the sod box, so I switched over to kitty litter. That’s right, my big 70-plus-pound German Shorthaired Pointer mix is kitty litter trained. It cut back on smell and overall maintenance time. Now, 11 years later, you can get actual doggie litter. Brilliant!
• Try a synthetic pheromone diffuser, spray or wipe. This synthetic pheromone mimics a dog’s natural comforting pheromones and can help with anxiety.
• Train with positive reinforcement for your dog to use a specific area of the yard as his personal bathroom, and reinforce his actions with a command like, “Go potty.”
• In your house, an area where a dog doesn’t visit is often seen as a “safe” spot to do his business. If you find your dog peeing in the house in the same general area and notice it isn’t a place of high traffic, make it one. Spend some time every day in that part of the house with your dog until he realizes it isn’t his bathroom.
• Keep dogs in rooms with easy-to-clean flooring and only allow on furniture and beds where covers can be removed and cleaned.

Cleaning pee on your dog

Stop laughing. It happens. I’ve seen my tall dog pee on his little friend’s head — accidentally, of course. More than once, an epic pee has made a puddle so big it hits my pup’s feet. Then there’s just plain sloppiness when different body parts get in the way.

• For dried pee stains, always start by brushing with the tool that works best for your dog’s coat.
• Try dry shampoo if you don’t have time for a full bath.
• Disposable wipes are an easy solution and can be carried in your pocket for those pups who never seem to be able to step around their own puddles. If all else fails, seek out a professional groomer.

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I’m a fan of Frenchies; a Bulldog, Boston Terrier and Boxer buff; I’m partial to Pugs and Pekes; and I admit serious sentiments for Shih Tzu. In addition to my abundant affection, these breeds have in common certain anatomical traits that make them both wonderfully cute and incredibly impaired. Brachycephalics, or “smushed-face dogs,” while extraordinary in appearance, must be cared for carefully to keep them healthy and happy. Here is some must-know health issues for flat-faced dogs.

1. Flat-Faced Dogs Have Difficulty Breathing

If you’ve spent more than 2 minutes around a brachycephalic dog, chances are you heard snuffling, snorting or snoring. This is usually due to narrowed nostrils (stenotic nares), a large tongue (macroglossia), a flap of tissue flopping down from the roof of the mouth (elongated soft palate), tiny trachea (tracheal stenosis) and bulging pockets of tissue in the back of the throat (everted laryngeal saccules). Any one of these can cause serious respiratory trouble in most dogs; brachycephalic breeds can suffer from all five.

Many brachycephalic dogs will require surgical correction of one or more of these conditions. Bulldogs top that list, but any smushed-face dog may eventually benefit from surgery. Most dogs are fine during normal activities; it’s only when stressed, intensely active or overheated that airway issues pose a lethal threat. I strongly urge owners of brachycephalics to use comfortable harnesses instead of constricting collars to avoid compressing already compromised airways. When selecting a brachycephalic puppy, carefully observe the parents and grandparents whenever possible, and ask about any upper airway issues. Also check the size of the nostrils and breathing sounds for any narrowing or noises. Heat hazards

Dogs don’t perspire to cool down the way humans do — they pant. Breeds with breathing problems, such as brachycephalics, are more prone to overheating and heatstroke. It’s critically important to keep them cool and calm, especially during warm weather.

2. Brachycephalic Dogs Have Eye Health Isseus

The smushed-in face and skull also create eye anomalies. The most frequently diagnosed eye problems I encounter involve the eyelids, especially entropion — an inward-rolling eyelid that causes the eyelashes to rub against and scratch the eyeball (cornea). Surgery is usually successful, although some dogs may require additional eye tucks as they age.

Another common issue is tear staining. Dark streaks surrounding the eyes or wet, constantly draining eyes are hallmarks of tear duct problems. Surgery can’t help this problem; daily cleaning is the best advice. I don’t recommend using antibiotics in an attempt to reduce staining or tearing. They don’t work and may create complications, including antibiotic resistance.

Some brachycephalics’ eyes bulge so much their eyelids can’t adequately cover the corneas, resulting in drying, irritation, scarring and even blindness. This is called lagophthalmos and often requires both medical and surgical treatments.

The bulging eyes are also at higher risk for “popping out” or proptosis. I’ve had to surgically replace many eyes in Pekingese, Shih Tzu and Pugs during the past 25 years. Thankfully, most do well, although a few required eventual eye removal due to blindness or complications. “Dry eye” or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is also something I diagnose in many brachycephalic dogs. You can spot a dog with dry eye by the thick, goopy discharge, cloudy corneas and angry sclera (white part of the eye). Dry eye requires daily medication to prevent eventual blindness.

3. Those Cute Noses and Facial Folds Cause Problems

One of the facial features we love about brachycephalics is the “pug nose.” Unfortunately, it’s a nose for trouble. In addition to narrowed nostrils, the skin folds around the nose and eyes can trap debris and moisture, causing serious skin infections.

4. Dental Health is Also a Concern

Cramming 42 teeth into such a tiny mouth can be a problem. I see many smushed-face dogs with crooked, overlapping teeth and lots of oral problems. Home dental care, good nutrition and twice-yearly vet checks are essential to keep your brachycephalic healthy and pain free.

Despite all the health issues for brachycephalic dogs, it’s hard to resist their charms. They’re intelligent, caring and attentive in a way few breeds can match. Maybe it’s the fact that they give so much that leaves them vulnerable and fragile. Whatever the case, we need to be more vigilant when breeding brachycephalics and provide extra-special care when we bring them into our homes. My hope is that future generations of flat-faced dogs will be healthier, sharing their unique joy with everyone who loves them.

Flat-Faced Dog Breeds:

• Affenpinscher
• Boston Terrier
• Boxer
• Brussels Griffon
• Bulldog
• Bullmastiff
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• English Mastiff
• English Toy Spaniel
• French Bulldog
• Japanese Chin
• Neapolitan Mastiff
• Pekingese
• Pug
• Shih Tzu
• Tibetan Spaniel

Dr. Ernie Ward is an internationally recognized veterinarian known for his innovations in general small-animal practice, long-term medication monitoring, special needs of senior dogs and cats and pet obesity. He has authored three books and has been a frequent guest on numerous TV programs.

Tell us: Do you have a flat-faced dog? Have you encountered any of these health issues?

Thumbnail: Photography ©GlobalP | Thinkstock.

Read more about dog health on Dogster.com: 

• Why Brachycephalic Dogs and Other Flat-Faced Pups Don’t Do Well in Summer Heat
• 4 Lessons Every Pet Parent Should Learn to Help Give Their Dog a Healthy Life
• 6 Ways to Help Your Itchy Dog

Editor’s note: This article appeared in Dogster magazine. Have you seen the new Dogster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vet’s office? Subscribe now to get Dogster magazine delivered straight to you! 

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