The health of your dog’s skin is an indicator of your dog’s deeper health .… dog skin conditions are often the first sign of immune disease.
Signs of skin conditions can be subtle at first. And left untreated, they can progress.
The early signs of skin disease include:
- A dull coat without a healthy shine.
- Flaky skin with a small amount of dandruff
- A musty odor
These signs can progress to:
- Redness
- Itching
- Thickening of the skin
- Yeast infections
- Bacterial infections
- Hot spots
- Tumors
Unfortunately, itchy dogs are very common. Chronic skin complaints are one of the most pervasive (and hard to treat) health problems that we see in dogs.
Although dog skin conditions can appear in various forms, the underlying cause is always the same. Ear infections, chewed feet, hot spots and other skin complaints are always the tip of the iceberg … they all result from a deeper problem with your dog’s immune system or toxins in his body.
Often, it’s both.
Even though dog skin conditions appear to be superficial, they run much deeper. This means you’ll need to treat the inside of your dog to see changes on his outside.
Here are my top 7 natural steps to reverse your dog’s skin conditions from the inside out..…
#01 Detoxify The Liver :
Milk thistle is the go-to herb for cleaning out the liver. If you’re using human capsules, assume the dose is for a 150 pound person and give your dog an amount based on his body weight. For extra strength, you can add glutathione to the milk thistle (again, at the same dose if it’s a human product).
Don’t use milk thistle long-term.… give it only for 2–4 weeks at a time and then continue every month or two.
#02 Detox The Kidneys:
Every month or two, you can make a tea to detox the kidneys following the same directions as above. The herbs you’ll use are:
Hawthorn
Gingko
Marshmallow
Dandelion
#03 Detoxify The Lymphatic System:
Regular exercise is great for this, as is massage and bodywork. You can also make an herbal tea to detoxify and support the lymphatic system with:
- Plantain
- Red clover
- Cleavers
- Fenugreek
Note: If you suspect your dog has a bacterial overgrowth, she might need some help. Your holistic vet, homeopath or herbalist can help you out. There are also some good, ready-made products like the Leaky Gut Protocol that can help with yeast and its causes.
#04 Treat Your Dog With Homeopathy:
This will address the deep distortions of your dog’s vital force. Homeopathy is the best way to address the deep down causes of dog skin conditions.
Working with a homeopath is easy and can be done by phone. You can find a homeopathic vet at theavh.org.
#05 Support The Immune System:
Medicinal mushroom blends do a fantastic job of supporting the immune system. There are several good products for pets. Make sure the mushrooms are organic and follow the instructions on the packaging. You can also use human products and again, adjust the human dose for your dog’s weight
Vitamin C is also very helpful for healthy immune function. But don’t buy ascorbic acid.… find a natural form of vitamin C from camu camu or acerola instead.
#06 Avoid Environmental Toxins:
While you detoxify your dog, you’ll want to make sure you’re not adding new toxins.… if you do, his skin condition will continue. Go through your home and remove as many chemicals and artificial fragrances as you can (they’re very toxic)
#07 Reduce Stress:
Last, but not least, reduce any stress in the humans and dogs in the household. Emotional stress is a big trigger for skin conditions.
Take time out as a family to relax, meditate and exercise.
If there is major stress going on, get help to process and move through it. If your dog has stress, anxiety or trauma, think about training or body work. It will all help !
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