Natural Foods for Dog Skin Problems

Dogs suffering from itchy, red skin rashes and skin disorders may suffer from nutritional deficiencies, parasitic infestation or environmental allergies. Altering the dog's diet by providing a daily ration of simple recipe foods with few ingredients can help dogs specifically affected by nutritional deficiencies. Some owners may consider adding nutritional supplements and human foods to the dog's diet to soothe and minimize skin problems caused by an imbalanced diet.

  1. Omega Acids Supplements

    • Add omega fatty acids to the dog's diet. This will help moisturize his skin from the inside out, reducing occurrences of dandruff, hot spots and allergic reactions. Available as a liquid supplement or in pill form, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids contain anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the dog's skin irritations. Since the acids are derived from fish oils and plant sources, no negative side effects for dogs are known.

    Natural Prepackaged Dog Foods

    • Choose prepackaged dry dog foods formulated for dry skin, allergies and sensitive skin. Look for dog food formulas that list protein-rich, human-grade meats (such as chicken, beef, lamb, buffalo or fish) as one of the first three ingredients. Meat meals, such as chicken meal, are a good source of natural proteins, vitamins and minerals. A protein source with the word "meal' after it means that the item has been dried. Without water as a filler, meat meals are a more protein-rich source of meat than fresh meats.

      Natural prepackaged dog foods containing rice, oatmeal, barley and potatoes are often soothing for a dog with skin irritations. Look for dog foods containing organically grown ingredients. The lack of pesticides and herbicides indicates the food contains fewer chemicals, which may help dogs with skin conditions.

    Natural Human-Grade Foods

    • If a dog is still having difficulties with nutritional-based skin conditions, consider feeding him a diet of human-grade foods. By completely controlling each ingredient included the dog's diet, you can learn which foods create a skin sensitivity. Start by creating a protein- and starch-rich meal. Try one part boiled chicken with two parts rice. Do not supplement the dog's diet with dog biscuits, vitamins or any table scraps during the trial. Learn which meats and starches the dog can tolerate by feeding the limited diet for a week. Add one new ingredient to the diet per week, such as carrots or peas.

      This feeding method is a temporary way to learn what foods the dog can tolerate. Long-term use is not advised, because this diet is not nutritionally balanced. Once the pet owner determines safe proteins, vegetables and starches, it is easier to select a high-quality dog food containing these ingredients.