Diets That Seem to Help or Even Fix Bad Skin & Chronic Infections and Allergies

I never expect to recommend anything but DRY FOOD for dogs. I will NEVER recommend canned food. I will NEVER, EVER recommend Farmer’s Dog. Because I will NEVER recommend FreshPet or any of the crappy NON-USDA-Grade “rolled meat” so-called-fresh-diet BS.

I strenuously recommend a dry kibble because it’s resistible. Dogs can walk past the bowl if they’re not hungry. There’s less sugar and fat in it. The vendors of reasonable dry dog food tend to be more honest than the scheisters pushing the Harmer’s Dog etc.

Because I read that on the Interwebs? NOPE

Because that’s what nutritionists say? NOPE

Because it’s showing up in studies that way? NOPE

Why? Because some of my customers feeding their dogs exactly that way are GETTING OFF MEDICATIONS and returning to normal.

We’ve had some success managing “bad skin” and chronic allergies and infections with nutritional changes. And pretty much “to a one” of them, have been to:

  1. Eliminate Chicken and even chicken fat that can be hidden in higher quality diets.
  2. Eliminate grains entirely. (Go grain free) (And yes, I know about DCM)
  3. Go with a Salmon based protein.

And we’ve ALSO had some success (actual cures) with bathing dogs in HIBICLENS Skin Cleanser in the blue container ONCE A WEEK long term. I think the way THAT works is to:

  • Ameliorate sebaceous adenitis by dropping skin bacterial loads to minimal levels
  • Kills occult ringworm or similar fungal dermatophyte which has escaped notice
  • Clears Staph infections through long term and frequent-interval use better than oral antibiotics.

I’m not holding out ANY Of the above as a “cure” but it HAS cured FOUR dog’s skin problems in the last three months.

Everybody elses’ dogs have not benefited from the advice, but if the above CURES four dogs ever.  It’s been worth it.

DocJohnson

Here are several dog foods that meet the no-chicken-no-grain-salmon-based-diet requirements:

Costco Kirkland

Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Salmon & Sweet Potato Formula Dog Food, 35 lbs

https://www.costco.com/kirkland-signature-nature%27s-domain-salmon-%2526-sweet-potato-formula-dog-food%2C-35-lbs.product.100215967.html

Ingredients
Salmon, salmon meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes, peas, fish meal, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), pea flour, flaxseed, dried beet pulp, natural flavor, salmon oil (a source of DHA), salt, potassium chloride, DL-Methionine, dicalcium phosphate, choline chloride, taurine, blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes, dried chicory root, yucca schidigera extract, dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, ascorbic acid (preservative), vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid.


PetCo

WholeHearted Grain Free Skin and Coat Care Pea and Salmon Recipe Dry Dog Food, 25 lbs.

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/wholehearted-grain-free-skin-and-coat-care-pea-and-salmon-recipe-dry-dog-food

Ingredients

Peas, pea flour, hydrolyzed salmon, sunflower oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), flaxseed, natural salmon flavor, tomato pomace, salmon oil (a source of omega-3 fatty acids), dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, choline chloride, taurine, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus reuteri fermentation product, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid (preservative), vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6) , vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid.


PetCo

WholeHearted Grain Free All Life Stages Salmon and Pea Recipe Dry Dog Food, 25 lbs.

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/wholehearted-dog-food-2582227

Ingredients

Salmon, Salmon Meal, Lentils, Pea Flour, Chickpeas, Peas, Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Tomato Pomace, Sweet Potatoes, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil, Salt, Choline Chloride, Dried Chicory Root, yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Reuteri Fermentation Product, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate (Source Of Vitamin B1), Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid (Preservative), Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Source Of Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid.


Hollywood Feed Sandy Plains:

Zignature Dog Food – Grain-Free Trout & Salmon

https://www.hollywoodfeed.com/pid/26306/zignature-dog-food-grain-free-trout-salmon

Ingredients

Trout, Salmon Meal, Chickpeas, Peas, Sunflower Oil (Preserved with Citric Acid), Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Flaxseed, Natural Flavors, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salmon Oil, Salt, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacinamide, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid), Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Selenium Yeast, Copper Proteinate, Magnesium Oxide, Cobalt Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), L-Carnitine, Rosemary Extract, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Bifidum Fermentation Product

Farmina N&D Ocean Dry Dog Food – Salmon & Cod Mini Adult

https://www.hollywoodfeed.com/p/76369/farmina-nd-ocean-dry-dog-food-salmon-cod-mini-adult

Ingredients

Salmon, dehydrated salmon, sweet potato, cod, dehydrated cod, herring oil, dehydrated herring protein, pea fibre, dried carrot, alfalfa meal, inulin, fructo-oligosaccharides, yeast extract (source of manno-oligo-saccharides), dried cantaloupe melon, dried blueberry, dried apple, dried spinach, psyllium husks and seeds, dried pomegranate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, dried brewers’ yeast, turmeric, aloe vera extract, glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate.

Country Naturals Dog Food – Grain Free Whitefish

https://www.hollywoodfeed.com/pid/10952/country-naturals-dog-food-grain-free-whitefish

Ingredients

Whitefish Meal, Chickpeas, Yellow Peas, Lentils, Canola Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Tapioca, Salmon Meal, Suncured Alfalfa Meal, Natural Flavor, Dried Kelp, Menhaden Fish Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Carrots, Celery, Parsley, Lettuce, Watercress, Spinach, DL-Methionine, L-Lysine, Chelated Choline Chloride, Chelated Calcium Carbonate, Chelated Monosodium Phosphate, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product*, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product*, Dried Bifidobacterium Thermophilum Fermentation Product*, Dried Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Product*, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product*, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Riboflavin, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Sulfate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Cobalt Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate. Total microorganisms* 3.5×104 CFU/lb


 

Author: Dr. Erik Johnson
Dr. Erik Johnson is the author of several texts on companion animal and fish health. Johnson Veterinary Services has been operating in Marietta, GA since 1996. Dr Johnson graduated from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. Dr Johnson has lived in Marietta Georgia since 1976.