Is Raw Diet for dogs with skin problems good?

Question

I have a 5 yr old Boxer who has skin problems (hot spots, bumps, rashes, etc) I currently feed him Calf. Natural dry food and was thinking of switching to a raw food diet. I know it's more money, but will it help with his skin probs? I have been to a pet allergist already and they seem to think it's an allergy to chicken, but who knows. Could not give a def. answer for $450! Thanks

Answer 1

-You may be surprised at the money side - I find raw feeding (1 dog, 3 cats) much cheaper than commercial food.
- Many people change to raw because of skin and/or digestive issues with great results
-Do your research and PLEASE don't listen to the omnivorist school of raw!! The last thing your poor dog needs is more ingredients that it cannot digest properly and put more pressure on his immune system. There is no need for pre-made patties, a grinder or packaged food - just make friends with your butcher.
-I would suggest joining the yahoo raw feeding group - a great source of support and information.
-Before you right off chicken - try it raw! The protein and enzymes in raw food bears no relation to cooked, processed and denatured food.
-I hope the links are useful.

Answer 2

Prednisone is a steroid and it works by turning off the immune system. So if your dog is having an allergic reaction which is an overreaction of the immune system then prednisone would stop the itching by stopping the immune system. But if the itching is caused by something other than the immune system then prednisone would be ineffective. The problem with prednisone and other steroids is it has very very dangerous side effects that can potentially cause permanent damage. Itching is just not a good enough reason to use it. It is more for emergency life threatening symptoms. A lot of vets like to use it because it gets results fast and makes the client happy. But in my opinion this in not a good practice. My vet as well tries to prescribe it. Try benadryl for the itching it is not as effective but is safer. 1 to 2mg per pound. Also bathing is very soothing to itchy skin. It could also be an infection either bacterial or fungal which would kick in the immune system and cause itching. Again in this case prednisone would be bad as it turns off the immune system and your dog would have nothing to fight against the infection. If it is an allergy then it is not necessarily a food allergy. It could be an environmental allergy especially if it is showing up on the skin and that usually means it is something outside not the food. I am not experienced with raw diets but I thought that they were supposed to be the most allergy free? Unless it is a certain protein source. I agree that it doesn't sound like mange if the prednisone worked on the itching. If your vet can rule out a bacterial or fungal infection then I would say it is most likely an allergy of some sort. I would try to figure out when it started and if it was gradual or all of the sudden. If your dog has been on a raw for 2 years I don't think its the food unless you have added something different. Add: I didnt realize you had two dogs with the same problem. I think it is very unlikely to be an allergy. What are the chances that both dogs would be allergic to the same thing. I would say most likely an infection. Bacterial infections are not usually very contageous so maybe fungal is right. Until your vet figures it out I would be using a antibacterial antifungal shampoo on them twice a week.

Answer 3

A raw diet could be great if balanced. Whatever diet you go with check it with a Vet that is not against raw diet.
I have three dogs that were on a raw diet and this was the site I used:
http://www.rawdogranch.com
There are many raw sites. In my city there is even a place where you can get frozen raw balanced diet (bones2go). My dogs did great on a raw diet. The did great with fresh raw chicken but two reacted to commercial blends of dog food with chicken.
After moving and with limited freezer space and multiple dogs, I went back to a kibble. If you have the storage space to prepare balanced raw diet for your dog, and time to prepare it, that would be great for your dog imo.
I feed a Venison and rice kibble now, which they all tolerate. IN addition I give them supplements (NutriVed and 3V Caps Skin Formulation for dogs) Also, as a separate meal from their kibble I sometimes give them raw chicken back.
They did THE BEST on the raw diet (balanced) which included supplements for skin and coat at the time, like brewer's yeast, raw egg, acidophilus, fish oil with Vit. E.
Their coats are doing good with the Venison and Rice (Nature's Recipe). Flint River Ranch may make a Venison and Rice or Potato blend. It would be more expensive and harder to find or you might have to order it.
In addition, most dogs with sensitive skin also react to fleas much worse than other dogs, so I've had to be careful to control that.
On occasion, one of my dogs gets a cortisone shot- about once a year.
Where I live it is warm to hot and humid most of the year round and very brutal on a dogs skin and coat.
I'd say a raw diet is good and while your dog may react to any number of commercially prepared chicken blends, I am willing to bet that your dog will do FINE with raw chicken. Mine did.
The above site I can vouch for, personally.

Answer 4

I had a rescue foster who came with demodectic mange. I tried all kinds of natural cures, and all kinds of really expensive foods. I finally switched her to a raw prey model diet after trying the pre-made raw patties... It was amazing. She cleared up and grew all her hair back in about 3-4 weeks.

I honestly think a good species appropriate raw diet of meat, bones, and organs will help your dog immensely. And I'm spending 75-100 a month for food for 3 dogs... far less than the almost 300 a month for super premium food for the 3 of them.

Here are some websites for some info:

http://www.rawfed.com/myths/

http://www.rawmeatybones.com/

http://www.rawlearning.com/

http://www.rawfeddogs.net/

And here is the yahoo group who can help you get started and provide lots of support and answers while doing a raw prey model diet:

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/rawfeeding/


Good luck, and know that feeding raw is the best thing you can do for your dog.

Answer 5

I am in a Yahoo Pyr group with a lady whose service dog has a delicate stomach and skin problems. She said that when she started feeding her dog "green tripe" he was able to eat raw, and she's been much happier ever since.

One of the best foods for dogs with touchy stomachs or other problems is chicken.

Answer 6

Have you already tried out Eating for Energy (120 raw food diet recipes) process? Look at this site : http://www.StayEatingRaw.com/Online . This may completely benefit anyone!

Answer 7

THIS IS A TOUGH QUESTION BECAUSE THE BATTLE HAS NOT BEEN WON. BOXERS R SO WELL KNOWN 4 THIS PROB. MANY WILL AGREE W/U TO USE RAW.
I JUST FOUND A FOOD THAT MAY HELP CALLED INNOVA. WWW.NATURAPET.COM . I WANT TO CHANGE MY DOGS FOOD AND SCARED W/ALL THE POISON STILL GOING ON. THIS 1 IS SAFE.
BEST LUCK, EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE PRICEY.
SORRY 4 THE CAPS, 1 HAND.

Answer 8

You should probably just try feeding him a single protein source premium dry food that does not have chicken. For example, a high quality lamb and rice formula. If he's allergic to chicken and you give him raw chicken, he will not improve. The top food allergens are beef, soy, chicken, and dairy.

Answer 9

one of mine has allergies to food, and we feed her a little Nutro in the morning, and raw beef later on in the day. she stopped scratching right away, ad she's doing beautifully. i'd give it a try if i were you, and maybe it'll work out. every dog is different, tohugh, so i can't tell you for sure. good luck