First and foremost, make sure you are feeding your shar pei high quality fish oil. Fish oil contains omega-3, which is lacking in most commercial pet foods as it cannot survive the manufacturing process. Omega-3 helps soothe inflammation, and in some studies it significantly reduced itching in dogs with moderate to mild atopic dermatitis. We like Norwegian salmon oil because it is very pure.
Quercetin is also known as “Nature’s Benadryl. This ingredient has become very popular in recent years for dogs as it helps suppress inflammation in the body. It’s a little hard to find in supplement form, but is included in some soft chews.
Home Remedies for Shar-Pei Skin Problems:
- Frequent Grooming
- Medicated shampoos
- Allergy Management
- Food Supplements
Owners Can Help Prevent Shar-Pei Prevent skin problems by keeping your dog well groomed. If you are not used to having a dog with skin folds, there are a few more steps to grooming a Shar-Pei. For example, after bathing your dog, be sure to dry your dog thoroughly. Same with rainy or humid days – any moisture trapped in the skin folds can soften the skin, so the bristles can irritate the skin. Make sure your dog’s coat is part of your daily grooming routine, just as you would make brushing an Afghan Hound a routine.
Folliculitis and yeast infections are often treated with medicated shampoos. However, medicated shampoos tend to irritate your dog’s skin, so keep an eye on affected areas. Veterinarians often recommend certain types of shampoos that contain soothing agents for regular baths as well. Oatmeal, aloe vera, and more have been shown to improve skin health in Shar Peis. And don’t forget: Once you’ve rinsed off, keep your dog’s skin as dry as possible until the next bath.
If your dog is diagnosed with a skin problem caused by allergies, you want to find out what the trigger is and eliminate it. Some allergies are caused by external factors, such as plants or household cleaning products. Others are caused by certain foods. Alleviating allergy symptoms can be as easy as removing the harmful substance and helping the skin heal itself. Your vet can help you root out the cause and advise you on next steps.
Natural food supplements are a veterinary approved way to support good skin and coat care. Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid that is not naturally produced by the Shar-Pei’s body. Omega-3 fatty acids help boost your dog’s immune system. They also act as an anti-inflammatory, which can give your dog a boost when it comes to avoiding or treating skin problems. Omega-3 is most commonly found in fish oil, a natural supplement that can easily be added to meals. Most dogs enjoy the taste of fish oil, and aside from keeping their skin and coat healthy, it has a myriad of other benefits.
Owners can help prevent Shar-Pei skin problems by keeping their dog thoroughly groomed. If you are not used to having a dog with skin folds, there are a few more steps to grooming a Shar-Pei. For example, after bathing your dog, be sure to dry your dog thoroughly. Same with rainy or humid days – any moisture trapped in the skin folds can soften the skin, so the bristles can irritate the skin. Make sure your dog’s coat is part of your daily grooming routine, just as you would make brushing an Afghan Hound a routine.
Fleas
These tiny critters have a lot to answer for when it comes to your dog’s itching! Fleas reproduce quickly, and while they can’t fly, they can jump 50 to 100 times their body length, so it’s important to eliminate these pests for every member of your family (that’s right – fleas can feed on humans, too!).
If your dog already has fleas – or you suspect she does – the first thing you need to do is get rid of them!