Poor Atka suffers from itchy skin sometimes, especially in the winter. He eats high-quality food and gets salmon oil with his meals, but that doesn’t always seem to make a difference. I still find him itching away.
It doesn’t help that Montana is ridiculously dry. I keep the humidifiers going all the time, but I still feel like my skin is flaking off. I know Mauja and Atka can feel the dryness, too. A few weeks ago, I found a red patch on Atka’s leg where he had been frequently scratching. I decided to try and find something to add to their routine to help alleviate his dry skin.
I learned a lot about essential fatty acids in my nutrition classes in college. Much of our focus tends to be on omega-3 fatty acids, but omega-6s are also important. Since Mauja and Atka’s diet is already rich in omega-3 fatty acids, I wanted to try and add omega-6 fatty acids in some way to help with their coat health.
5 Reasons Your Dog Needs Omega-6 Fatty Acids
- Omega-6s, specifically Lineolic acid, help increase skin permeability.
- Omega-6s prevent the coat from becoming dull and lackluster.
- Omega-6s strengthen the fur to keep it from breaking and falling out.
- A lack of Omega-6s can cause your dog to become susceptible to certain infections.
- A lack of Omega-6s can cause your dog to be horribly itchy.
I decided that I wanted to try something topical for Atka as that is a method we haven’t touched yet. I remembered the vast selection of products offered at PetSmart and we often visit for outings, so we decided to start there.
Since I was very pleased with the quality of the Ear Care Rinse from Bayer® ExpertCare™, I decided to try another product from their line that is specially formulated for dogs. The ExpertCare line also has an Itch Relief Spray that states the maximum effect will be seen in 3-5 minutes. I always want quick relief when my pups are uncomfortable!
The Itch Relief Spray includes colloidal oatmeal (oatmeal ground into a fine powder), which helps to pull out any irritant to your dog’s skin. It also includes Omega-6 fatty acids to help maintain the natural barriers of the skin and coat.
Any time I notice Mauja or Atka itching, I break out this spray to offer relief. I have also added it to our normal grooming routine. While brushing the pups, sometimes I notice irritated areas where they had scratched without my knowledge. I apply the Itch Relief Spray to help remove the irritant.
I love the Bayer ExpertCare line because it offers convenient, quality care at an affordable price. If you are like me and always buzzing from here to there, you’ll be able to find an ExpertCare product while out doing your normal shopping.
Has your dog ever suffered from itchy skin? What have you done to offer relief and do you think the Itch Relief Spray would be helpful?
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