There are many reasons that your dog may develop sensitive skin. If your dog has sensitive skin, you will likely see irritation and a lot of itching. While many remedies are on the market, feeding homemade dog food for sensitive skin is one of the best ways to get your pup's skin and coat back to being healthy and well-moisturized.
Topical remedies and oral treatments are filled with chemicals and artificial ingredients. Many pet owners do not want to use these types of treatments for their dogs. After all, if your dog has sensitive skin, why would you want to put chemicals and artificial ingredients on his skin or in his body? There is a good chance these products may irritate the skin even more.
Sensitive skin disorder is a broad term for one of the skin conditions in dogs that affects a high population of canines, and it’s one of the most common health problems pet owners encounter. If your dog is constantly scratching, his skin looks red or inflamed or his coat is showing signs of hair loss, he probably has sensitive skin. If his condition is severe, you will see bald patches and excessive shedding.
All of these symptoms are caused by some type of skin irritation. Mites, dust, pollen, and even food allergies can all be the culprit causing Fido's skin disorder. Your dog could also just have sensitive skin due to his genes or because of environmental factors.
Studies have shown that proper nutrition is one of the best ways to treat and prevent sensitive skin in dogs. The first thing that you should do if you suspect that your dog has sensitive skin is to consult with your vet to determine what the cause could be. Your vet is also one of the best resources for you if you are considering changing your dog's diet.
Depending on the causes and symptoms, you may need to use skin infection treatments, medications, remedies like natural waxes/balms, or other solutions to clear up the skin irritation. But, a portion of homemade dog food for sensitive skin will help to treat the condition faster and prevent it from cropping up again.
MORE: How To Feed Dogs with Sensitive Skin
Homemade Dog Food for Sensitive Skin
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of skinless, boneless chicken thighs
- 1 cup red cabbage (shredded)
- 1 apple (cored and peeled)
- 1 cup spinach
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp. coconut oil
Directions
In a large skillet, cook the chicken thighs on medium heat. When they are 75% cooked, add all of the other ingredients. As you'll see in my video guide above, you can include the eggshells in this recipe to add more calcium. I always include eggshells in my dog's homemade food, but I know that some pet owners do not like to do that.
Once you've added all of the ingredients to the skillet, cover it and allow it to simmer for about 20 minutes. As the chicken finishes cooking, it will become tender and you will be able to break or shred it into pieces appropriate for your dog's size.
Once the food has cooled, you can feed it to your dog. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also prepare this recipe in bulk and store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
The recommended serving size for this homemade dog food for sensitive skin is about 1/2 cup for every 20-25 pounds of body weight. Remember that more active dogs will require more calories per day. Likewise, dogs with a more sedentary lifestyle may not need as many calories.
READ MORE: 6 Dog Skin Conditions and What To Do About Them
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