i have a long haired german shepherd and he seems to be scrtaching himself a lot and he def does not have fleas i groom him often and have no idea whats causing this could it be his feed? he has chappie dried food( recommended by police dog handler as he really fussy with food and he can sometimes be sick so far he not bee sick on this and itching i would say started around about a month after on chappie)

Sorry cant really help, but my dogs have been on Chappie for some years and no problems, could be an allergy to something else?

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Monty LabxGSD 1972-1982
Jody Black Lab1982-1999
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Hi
Is the dog a pup? if so it could be something like puppy pyoderma - salt water bathing (the sea!) or vet prescibed medicines are the answer if this is the case.

It could be the food, your dog could be allergic, or find it too rich, in which case you might want to try something like James Wellbeloved.

You should check the skin for flea/tick bites and if you see spreading redness, rather than an isolated bite, you should get the dog off to the vet for a diagnosis.

__________________
Ian

Sylvestris Kennels - Pedigree Labrador Breeders
Inverurie, Aberdeenshire
www.sylvestriskennels.co.uk

If it is only recently, then it may be harvest mites

Burns is a very good food and especially good for skin conditions, one of ours had eczema for years traid alsorts of creams and potions over the counter and prescription meds, we began feeding burns for another reason and within 2 weeks his eczema was clear, just wish i had heard of br=urns years ago, definetly worth a try.

double coated breeds can also itch if they are moulting and if they are too warm.
As rona mentioned it is the season for harvest mites but these mainly affect the feet.
Chappie is a good food for those suffering sensitive skin but it does seem to coincide with the itchyness so may be a cause?
Dont no what the protien content is in chappie dry but ideally the lower the better, something like 20% or less as too hi protien in the diet can also make them itch.
Is it a general itch or 1 area? if one area and chewing them selves it could be a sign of pain/discomfort...round the tail could b anal glands over joints may be arthritis.
GSD's can be prone to things like wet eczeama so would check for any sore sticky lesions, clip the fur to let the air at it and take back to vets for steroid and antibiotic treatment.
The trouble with skin probs what starts with a minor irritation can soon progress into a chronic nightmare, the itchy skin gets damaged becomes open to infection that gets in and continuall trauma through sctratching prevents the skin from healing.
Try if u can to stop the scratching, if using feet bandage the paws or put sox on to minimise the damage if chewing bascket muzzle or elizabethan collar to prevent access to sore area's. Old t-shirts are also good instead/aswell as the paw covering.
U can also use antihistamines but check with ur vet they are happy for u to try.
Lastly Aloe-vera...great to apply topically to any sore area's as very soothing and can also be given orally for upset tums.
Omega oils (mackeral, sardines or pilchards in oil once a week) great for skin or use evening primrose capsules daily to keep the skin healthy.

i have just had the same thing with one of my chihuahuas none of my other dogs were affected and no fleas took her to the vet and they couldnt find anything but suggested to get some hayfever tablets and try them well after giving her the 1st tablet she is now back to normal as she was really down with all the iching she has now been having half a tablet for 3 days and back to her playful silly self.

Could be down to the dry food, maybe worth trying nature diet.