Posts Tagged ‘skin irritation’

Winter Paw Care: How To Protect Your Dog’s Feet

Monday, January 16th, 2012
Dog Paws Winter Care

"Give me five!" Make sure to keep those paws happy and healthy!

Results from a recently released study conducted by Japanese scientists at Tokyo’s Yamazaki Gakuen University suggest that dogs have special blood vessels in their feet that actually help protect them from the effects of snow and ice. The researchers propose a mechanism that they’ve termed a “counter-current heat exchange:” when a paw is cooled by contact with frozen ground, warmth from the arteries in the paw is transferred to the vessels in the paws which helps to keep the paw at a tolerable temperature. Of course, pads contain a lot of fatty tissue, which doesn’t freeze as easily as other kinds of tissue. In addition, the special blood vessels in the pads warm the blood before it flows back to the body – thus helping keep the dog’s body temperature from falling uncomfortably low.

Even though systems like this are seen in other animals, including penguins and foxes, many earthbath fans vehemently disagree with the thought that all dogs are cold-weather proof:

“Apparently, my pugs are lacking these vessels- one sniff of the cold air and they about face into the house. Then once outside they continually pick up alternate feet to avoid the frozen feet feeling.”

“Many short-haired dogs will not last more than 10 minutes in -35C before they start crying in pain and hopping about from foot to foot or leaving bits of skin frozen to the sidewalk.”

…and we too, have seen many dogs unhappily affected by the cold. Which brings us to our main point: take care of those little puppy paws in the winter months! We’ve got some easy tips for you to ensure that everyone is comfortable, even when the snow is blowing and the wind chill is dropping.

  • Trim the hair between the pads and around the feet to minimize the clinging of ice balls, salt crystals and de-icing chemicals that can dry on the skin.  Find a video on how to trim your dog’s paw hair at the bottom of this post.
  • After walks, use a basin of warm water and earthbath wipes to clean off stinging, irritated paws. After each walk, ensuring that your pet’s feet are washed and dried to remove ice, salt and chemicals will help make sure they stay comfortable and dry.
  • Check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes, and if you see signs of irritation or dryness, massage in a little SheaPet Aloe and Shea Butter Treatment Balm to soothe those toes. Just as with human skin, moisturizing after a walk through the ice and snow will always help prevent chapped paws. Best not to use petroleum jelly or other potentially toxic-when-ingested lubricating agents, as dogs like to lick their paws!
  • Booties help minimize contact with painful salt crystals, poisonous anti-freeze and chemical ice-melting agents. They can also help prevent sand and salt from getting lodged in between bare toes and pads, causing irritation.
  • Make sure to use pet-friendly ice melts whenever possible, even though you can’t control what your neighbors or your city uses on sidewalks and streets.
  • And remember, if the weather’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your dog. Animal companions should remain indoors as much as possible during the winter months.

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Posted in Dogs, earthbath, Grooming, Pet News, Pet Owners, Pet Safety | No Comments »

Why is my dog itching? — Identifying and Preventing Pet Allergies

Monday, August 8th, 2011

Your dog is scratching constantly, rolling around in the dirt more than usual, licking its paws, and biting himself like he’s his own vicious enemy.

It’s clear he’s uncomfortable and itchy, but why? It’s probably dog allergies. But is it due to pollen, food, dust mites … or your other pets? There are nearly endless possibilities.

We help you narrow it down to the likeliest ones. Once you know what’s causing your dog to itch, you can take action to provide your dog with some much-needed relief.

First, does your dog itch all year-round, or just in certain seasons?

Seasonal dog allergies. Seasonal environmental triggers are the most common cause of dog itching and scratching. Allergies usually develop after a couple of years of exposure, if they’re going to develop at all. It’s still unknown as to why one individual will develop allergies, while the next one won’t.  Just like in humans, genetics are thought to play a part, since allergies often run in families. Repeated exposure is important, too.

If you’re desperate to pinpoint the specific cause of seasonal allergies in your dog, your vet can do a “scratch test” (again, similar to the kind of test you’d take yourself to find out what you’re allergic to). Extracts of different pollens and allergens are injected just under a shaved area of skin, and reactions are noted a few minutes later.

Treatments:

You should consult your vet to determine the exact reason your dog may be itching, and for specific prescribed treatment of any identified allergies or problems like hot spots. However, using earthbath wipes frequently: after every outside excursion, before you notice your dog starting to try to clean himself, and before bed each night, can really reduce the pollen that clings to your dog’s fur, reducing the likelihood that allergies will develop.

Frequent baths are important, especially in the summer, when everyone is outside playing more. If you’ve never bathed your dog yourself, check our DIY how-to guide in which we take you through it, step-by-step! Using earthbath shampoos with itch-soothing ingredients like Oatmeal and Aloe, Tea Tree and Aloe, or Eucalyptus and Peppermint (great for soothing bug bites and general dermatitis) can really help calm the itchies.

Chances are, the itchies will disappear as fast as the summer sun does, but if not, note that there are only a few causes of year-round canine allergies:

Food: This is the first thing many people think of as causing canine allergies, but it’s actually one of the least likely. True food allergies are uncommon in dogs, with only about 15% of allergic dogs being allergic to certain ingredients. That said, there are some ingredients that some dogs are more sensitive to than others: like humans who are sensitive or downright intolerant of wheat, many dogs are allergic to wheat gluten. Sensitivity to corn and soy can also crop up fairly frequently:  If you have an itchy dog, start eliminating foods containing soy, corn, and wheat.

Try switching to a food with a different protein source or with a different grain content. Test this food for 6 weeks and see if there’s any difference in your dog’s itchiness.

Also, to prevent food allergies, one of the best things you can do is give your dog some variety in his diet. The more exposure to an ingredient, the more likely an allergy will develop — so change it up — not only will his tastebuds thank you (wouldn’t you get bored of eating the same thing day after day? Thought so. So does your dog.), but so will his state of health.

Mold. If you live somewhere humid, or if your kitchen and bathroom are unventilated, mold spores may be causing dog allergies (if they aren’t already causing allergies in you!)  Mold grows wherever and whenever there is moisture. Depending on where you live and what your drainage conditions are like, this can be seasonal or year-round.

What to do? If you live in a humid environment, or if summers get rather damp around your neck of the woods, keep the humidity low in your house by using a dehumidifier and/or air conditioner. Fix leaks when you notice them Use the exhaust fan in the bathroom after showering, and, when cooking, use your stove air vent.

Other animals. You may not be the only one who’s allergic to your cat!  Dogs can become allergic to the potent and persistent allergen known as FelD1, found in cat saliva. When the cat licks himself, the saliva dries and flakes off, then floats away.  It’s no wonder there are so many people (and dogs) with allergies to cats: FelD1 is very lightweight and very sticky. It sticks to walls, furniture, carpet and drapes. It also can stay active in a home environment for at least 10 years (yikes!).

As with cats, even people, other dogs, birds, and any other furry critters (rabbits, hamsters, weasels, ferrets, etc.) are possible allergy-inducers. Again, keeping everybody clean makes a difference: no skimping on earthbaths! Also keep in mind that long-haired or fluffy dogs can easily track pollen in on their fur. Even short-haired dogs aren’t immune: pollen clings to their coat easily, even if it may not look like it.  One good shake and it spreads throughout the house.

Treatments:

Wipe-down:  Keep a box of earthbath wipes by the door and in the car and wipe your dogs down before they come inside. Since earthbath makes four different varieties (Green Tea, Mango Tango, Cherry (Puppy), and Hypo-Allergenic), you’ll be able to keep a different flavor at every entry point! Make sure you get between their pads as well as a quick rub down all over their coat. This will greatly reduce the amount of pollen that clings to their fur.

earthbaths!: Bathe your animals regularly, including your cats, and use wipes to rub them down frequently, especially after they clean themselves. For a great “how-to” guide on bathing your cat yourself, check out our blog post which has a lot of great tips on corralling your kitty in the bath! Good thing earthbath has a great cat shampoo (with a delectable cherry scent) and cat wipes (in both Green Tea and Hypo-Allergenic varieties)!

Clean your house: Obviously “fluffy” surfaces like carpets, drapes, pillows, bedding, and fabric couches trap dander much easier and in greater volumes than wipeable surfaces (like wood floors, tile, stone, blinds, leather, etc.) but in both cases, consistent and thorough cleaning can help keep dander at bay.

Purify the air: HEPA air filters are really effective in trapping large amounts of allergens, including pollen, cat allergens, and other air pollutants. Invest in a great quality air purifier, and ensure your vacuum has a HEPA filter as well.

Have you noticed an increase in allergies this summer? How do you deal with them? Share your tips with us! If you leave a comment below and post it to Facebook, you may receive a little earthbath surprise from us!

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Posted in Canine Health, Dogs, earthbath, Grooming, Helpful Pet Hints, Natural Remedies, Pet News, Pet Owners, Skin Care | No Comments »

Love your pet but sick of sneezing? Shed those allergies!

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

If you have pets but are also plowing through a jumbo multi-pack of Kleenex on a daily basis, you’re not alone. Over ten million Americans (many of whom are also pet owners) suffer from pet allergies. This means that there are a lot of people out there sneezing, itching, breaking out in hives,  and coughing every time they go near a dog or cat.  Though many conventional doctors will say: if you know you are allergic to _x_ (whether it be cats, dogs, peanuts, pollen, or feathers), then avoid __x__! For many allergic animal lovers, this form of “treatment” is out of the question. As one of these people myself, who has been horribly allergic to cats my whole life, but then adopted one lovable furball, and then another (for good measure), I paid as much attention to my doctor’s suggestion to “get rid of the allergen-producing stimulus [AKA: my cats]” as I would have if she would have said to give up my own children.

So, what did I do? Research. And then I took action. And I’m happy to say that I’ve lived over 10 years, nearly allergy-free, with my two cats, and have subsequently acquired two very furry, fluffy, dander-producing dogs within the last year.

I’m happy to share the fruits of my research labors and the steps I took to help my allergies with you, in the hopes that I may help prevent an unnecessary pet surrender to an animal shelter following the discovery that someone in the family is “allergic” to him.

The first thing to arm yourself with is knowledge. Most people think that pet allergies are caused by animal hair, thinking that the shorter haired dogs or cats may be better choices for those prone to allergies, but this is not actually the case (and the cause of many animal surrenders, following an ill- or non-informed adoption).  Pet allergies are actually the result of an inappropriate immune response to molecules that are secreted by oil glands, found in the saliva, and shed with dander (dead skin cells). Cat allergies are particularly intense because cats have a certain protein (known as Fel-D-1) in their saliva, which is the substance that most people who are allergic to pets react to.  The cat hair is a carrier for the dander and saliva (since cats clean themselves frequently by licking) because this particular allergen in cat saliva dries on the fur and then becomes airborne, ready to irritate nasal passages and your eyes!

Now what to do about preventing those allergens from getting to you…

1) HEPA Filters! Though somewhat pricey at first, these HEPA filter products in air purifiers and vacuums absolutely work. Vacuums with HEPA filters trap up to 99.9% of allergy-causing dander and dust mites. But remember to clean the filters and replace regularly! Other kinds of vacuums simply suck up the debris, and then spew it all out the back, in finer particles. Take a look at what happens the next time you vacuum with a non-HEPA vacuum, seriously. It’s gross.

2) Keep your bedroom pet-free. Ok, this one is hard, and I admit to ruling with this “no cats in the bed” iron fist for the first year I had my first cat, but then succumbed. When the second one came along, there was nowhere else to put her in my two-room apartment during the sensitive and slow “introduction period” between the two cats: They both needed their own space, after all! Once our second cat was “raised” from kittenhood in the bedroom, she never left. And of course, the other cat couldn’t then be excluded… how fair would that be?!

So if you can’t (or don’t want to) totally ban your pets from your bed, at least see #1 and buy an air purifier for your bedroom, and change the filter regularly. You can also encase your mattress and pillows in protective covers designed to prevent dust mites, dander, and other allergens from penetrating these porous materials. Ensure you wash your bedding at least once a week in hot water (or your washer’s “sanitize” setting, if you have a fancy new washing machine) to kill dust mites and eliminate allergens. Even if you don’t think that you have a dust mite allergy, they, or more specifically, their waste droppings (I know, TMI, but some necessary “I”!) are the cause of many problems including sinus infections, watery eyes and noses, rashes, eczema, and other respiratory ailments. Dust mites live off of dead skin cells (i.e. dander) shed from humans and pets, and they make their homes in mattresses, couches, and other cushy, warm places like pillows and carpets.  Because a typical used mattress may have up to ten million dust mites living in it, and a pillow that is only two years old can be composed of up to ten percent dust mite feces and carcasses (ewwwww!!), it’s also a good idea to get new bedding and pillows frequently.

3) Bathe your pets regularly and use wipes daily between baths! Grooming your dog or cat frequently, including brushing, using waterless grooming foams, and earthbath wipes washes off the dander on its fur. Bathing your pet also has another benefit: the primary reason for vet visits is due to skin problems from environmental allergies, which can be helped and even prevented by frequent baths with a mild, non-soap based cleanser, like the formulations found in the entire line of earthbath’s shampoos! We know that cats, in particular, don’t love bathtime, so here is where our wipes especially come in handy! They usually don’t mind a wipe-down, and generally, love to be brushed, both of which significantly reduce allergy-causing dander. Best, though, if someone with lesser or no allergies does the brushing.

4) Clean your house! Perhaps this one is a bit obvious, but dander, dust, and dust mites that are allowed to gather on furniture, in cracks and crevices, around the knick knacks and books are all going to contribute to the generally poor and allergy-producing condition of your interior environment. And no matter how much you vacuum, carpets are the worst at trapping large amounts of allergens, so to the degree you can replace the majority of your floor surfaces with mop-able hardwood floors, tiles, or even linoleum, the better off you’ll be. Other cleaning tips include

  • Vacuum carpets and furniture on a daily basis.
  • Vacuum curtains on a regular basis.
  • Dust with a microfiber cloth that picks up the dust and doesn’t just move it around.
  • Wipe down all surfaces on a weekly basis.

Long ago, my doctor actually told me to vacuum daily and mop as often as I could (daily if possible), and to be sure to mop the walls. Vacuum and mop DAILY? Mop the WALLS?! My solution: I hired a cleaning person. Works for me, and my four animals!  No more allergies and a side benefit – my house is spotless!

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Posted in Canine Health, Cats, Dogs, earthbath, Grooming, Living Green, Natural Remedies, Pet Owners, Shedding, Skin Care | No Comments »

What are “hot spots” and what are the best ways to treat them?

Monday, September 27th, 2010

Sorry, we’re not
talking about Ibiza. ————->

“Hot Spots,”  also known as moist eczema, are often associated with dampness of the undercoat in heavy-coated breeds, as well as general inflamed skin irritations caused by a myriad of things. Hot spots are red, weeping rashes that can occur anywhere on the body. If your dog has long hair, the spot may be seen as an oily matting of the surface hair. However, the exact cause of hot spots isn’t completely determined. This is probably because many things can contribute to their origination. Soap residue left in the coat and on the skin after a bath is one main culprit, along with flea infestations, wounds, food or seasonal allergies, and hormone disorders. Other highly suspect causes are food-related; many people believe corn or grain in the diet (often found in lesser-quality foods) can cause many skin irritations to dogs, chief among them, the dreaded hot spots.  Minor skin irritations like insect bites and burrs can turn into hot spots, particularly if the dog has sensitive skin.  Allergies in dogs usually appear after puppyhood, and tend to flare up more in the hot summer months. Hormone disorders like thyroid deficiencies also tend to show up after puppyhood, and are year-round conditions that must be treated by your vet.

Hot spots can appear overnight, growing from a tiny spot to a huge, angry, oozing and hot sore. Dogs then become their worst enemy when it comes to hot spots – the sores hurt and itch, so they try to relieve the pain by chewing at at, which only aggravates the hot spot further.

If the dog breaks out shortly after a bath, then the most likely cause is that he wasn’t rinsed out enough. The best rule of thumb in bathing (and most importantly, rinsing) a dog, is to suds up, rinse until the water runs clear, and then rinse again. And for good measure, dry off with a towel (or let him shake it [shake it like a polaroid picture...!]) and then rinse again.  Rinsing well becomes more critical than ever when using a low-quality shampoo “made for dogs” or even humans. The harsh soap and surfactant chemicals in these low-quality shampoos is the number one cause of dry, itchy skin, dandruff, and the development of skin allergies and worse. To avoid all of these problems, simply use a high-quality, all-natural and gentle shampoo. This is the main reason that we never use any harsh ingredients or man-made chemicals in any of our products. All earthbath shampoos contain totally natural essential oils and the most exceptionally mild and renewable coconut-based cleansers along with other skin-soothing ingredients like aloe vera. They never contain parabens, harsh soaps, phosphates, or artificial dyes or fragrances.

If you’re facing hot-spot trouble, the key to controlling and clearing it up is to first, prevent the dog from scratching and chewing at it, which only serves to further irritate it, and second, relieve the itching and discomfort (which will obviously help solve the first problem). If your dog simply won’t let the spot alone, you may need to outfit him with a special “collar cone” that he wears around his neck, so he can’t reach the spot. Although there are several prescription ointments that your veterinarian can prescribe, many all-natural essential oils solve the problem just as well, and without the harsh chemicals. We asked our Facebook fans what their favorite hot-spot solutions are and we got a lot of great answers including the use of Coconut Oil or Neem Oil Salve to help clear up the hot spots easily and quickly, as well as emphasis on a premium, often raw-food diet with a lot of high-quality proteins like bison and venison, with the inclusion of vegetables and cod liver oil to balance the diet out.

If your dog has hot-spot trouble, or general itchy, sensitive or irritated skin, try using our all-natural Tea Tree Oil and Aloe Shampoo and Spritz. Our Tea Tree Oil spritz is the simple solution: it’s blended with soothing melaleuca oil, nature’s finest hot spot ointment. Tea Tree Oil has long been recognized as an effective and beneficial antibacterial and soothing agent for all skin irritations, ranging from acne to insect bites (if you don’t believe us, try it yourself the next time you have a minor breakout or are a meal for mosquitoes yourself!).   In addition, Aloe Vera is widely known as one of nature’s finest soothing emollients. The combination of Tea Tree Oil and Aloe Vera soothe and relieve hot spots and itchy, dried or chafed skin caused by flea bites, dandruff or other dermatitis. Both the shampoo and Hot Spot & Itch Relief spritz re-moisturizes the skin and coat while delivering a healthy shine and supple softness, without leaving oily residue. The spritz has premium conditioners, colloidal oatmeal (oatmeal is also very soothing to the skin), and vitamin E help to condition, soothe & rehydrate skin while creating show-quality shines between baths.

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Posted in Canine Health, Diet, Dogs, earthbath, Fleas and Ticks, Grooming, Helpful Pet Hints, Natural Remedies, Pet Owners, Skin Care | No Comments »

The skinny on cold-weather grooming: Top 5 Tips

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Though the calendar may (finally) say March, the majority of the U.S. is unfortunately still firmly clutched by the icy grip of winter with no immediate signs of relief. In this frigid and dry season, we find ourselves reaching for the heavy-duty lotion and lip balm to stave off the effects of freezing temperatures, whipping wind, and moisture-robbing indoor heat.

Our pets’ skin and fur coats are also not immune to winter’s harsh effects, and contrary to popular belief, dogs don’t need less grooming in the winter. In fact, many dogs’ coats actually need more attention. In the summertime, a lot of pet owners give their dogs (and even longhaired cats) close cropped cuts or even have their coats shaved to help them stay cool in the high temperatures and humidity of summer. However, in the winter, it’s natural for pet owners to let their pets’ hair grow out to provide additional warmth in the cold.  As anyone who has ever had experience with a longer-haired dog or cat knows, fur and long coats can easily become matted or tangled, causing discomfort and even overheating. Mats can become painful to pets, especially if they form close to the skin, and the natural tendency for animals is to scratch or bite away at the mat, which causes even more skin irritation. Playing outside in the muddy slush ensures dirt and snow gets splashed all the way up a dog’s legs and belly, and the salt and sand that helps to melt snow from the sidewalks and streets is ultra-irritating when it gets in fur and can dry paw pads and skin out even further.

So, what’s the best way to prevent mats, skin irritation, dry, itchy winter skin, and ensure your pet is warm and comfortable through good grooming?

1.) Get those strokes in! Brush daily if possible, but at least every other day or once every three days at a minimum, even if your dog or cat is short-haired. Regular brushing ensures shinier coats, less shedding, and prevents matting by ridding coats of the dead hairs that stick and cause mats.

2.) Keep up the grooming: Whether you bathe and brush your pets at home or take them to a professional groomer, regular grooming (both brushing and bathing) ensures the natural oils in the skin are stimulated, naturally moisturizing and creating shine, which all helps to prevent itchy dry winter skin.

3.) Bathe based on coat length (and smelliness!): You’re probably the best judge of how frequently your furry friend needs a bath, but in general, long-haired dogs should get a bath about every few weeks while short-haired pets can go anywhere from 1 to 3 months. Some cats never get baths at home (or ever), as many cat owners find the trauma (to both human and water-hating cats) of a full water bath too much to bear. However, cats’ coats and skin benefit from periodic shampoos and conditioning, just as dogs and humans do, which many cat owners don’t realize! Here’s where a professional groomer can come in handy, as well as regular brushing and #4 (wipes)…

4.) Easy, at-home maintenance with between-bath wipes are an easy way to spot-clean and condition Fido or Fluffy between professional grooming visits or full baths. Earthbath wipes come in several formulations and scents, including green tea, mango tango, hypo-allergenic, and formulas specifically for puppies and cats.

5.) Choose gentle, extra-emollient and all-natural ingredients, like oatmeal (Try our Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo) and aloe (contained in our Hypo-Allergenic formulas), and avoid chemical ingredients such as sodium laurel sulfate and parabens, which can dry out the skin even more.

In the meantime, lotion up and enjoy the last days of snow and winter chill… the warm days of spring around the corner will be just that much sweeter!

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Posted in Canine Health, Cats, Dogs, earthbath, Grooming, Pet News, Pet Owners, Shedding, Skin Care | 2 Comments »