Why Is My Dog Still Itchy After Switching to Raw Food?

When your dog has itchy skin, switching to a fresh, raw diet is often the first big step pet parents take to find them some much-needed relief. We’ve all heard the success stories: a dog transitions to raw, and suddenly their dull coat transforms, their energy returns, and that non-stop scratching completely disappears. 

But what happens if you’ve made the switch, a few weeks have gone by, and your pup is still flaring up?  It can be incredibly frustrating to invest in high-quality raw nutrition only to feel like you’re back at square one. 

Don't worry—you haven't failed.  Raw, fresh food is still doing its job providing a strong foundation to support the immune system and your dogs overall well being.  But the truth is, addressing chronic itching is something that requires a multi pronged approach with food being an important first step. 

Below we dive into the why and how you can support your furry family members best!

REAL TALK

Chronic itching is a complicated topic that can be the result of various factors like environment, food, genetics and gut health.

In my research, the common theme is that there are no cure alls.  Rather the approach is to build a plan that pinpoints what your dog reacts to and find therapies that help manage the symptoms.  

In many cases, multiple approaches are needed and could require modifications throughout your pup’s life.    

Therapies include: 

• Dietary Support (you’ve completed step 1 - yay!)

• High Quality Nutritional Supplements

• Topical & Hygiene Solutions

• Medical Support

• Environmental Modifications

Before we dive into how you can support your dog along with a fresh food diet, first let’s get a basic understanding of what is causing the itching.  

Chronic itching (also called pruritis) is the main symptom of something called Atopic Dermatitis.  It is caused by an overactive immune system to environmental factors.  When your dog is exposed to certain triggers, it causes an inflammatory response leading to itching and can lead to secondary infections as the issue persists. 

Dogs can start to show signs of Atopic Dermatitis around 6 months to 3 years of age.  Intensity and severity can fluctuate over your dog's lifetime.  

While all dogs can be affected by chronic itching in their lifetime, there are some breeds that are more susceptible to it than others.  

Commonly affected breeds include Bulldogs, Golden and Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Boston and West Highland White Terriers, Shar Peis, and Boxers.  

Puppies with atopic parents will have a higher risk of also developing it in their life. 

Environmental Triggers

Common environmental triggers include: 

➡️ Dust mites inside the home 

➡️ Pollen, grasses, and molds (especially during seasonal changes in Alberta)

➡️ Household cleaning products, laundry detergents, or lawn chemicals

➡️ Seasonal changes in humidity

If they mostly chew their paws or scratch their belly after being outside or if you find your pup flares up when the seasons change, environmental triggers are a likely culprit.  It’s most common for itching to flare up in the spring and fall.

While a raw diet provides the foundational nutrition to build a strong immune barrier against these irritants, it cannot entirely eliminate an external allergic reaction on its own.

In cases like these, using topical treatments as part of your plan will help reduce skin irritation by removing the irritation and moisturizing the skin. Frequent baths and paw wipes are recommended especially during peak seasonal flare ups. 

Our friends at Four Roots Pet Products have a wide selection of grooming essentials to choose from or you can try some DIY solutions. 

SHOP GROOMING SUPPLIES AT FOUR ROOTS PET PRODUCTS

Apple Cider Vinegar Foot Bath

Mix two parts water and one part apple cider vinegar. You can prepare this in a large bowl or bucket at the door, ready to use as soon as your dog comes in from a walk.

• Soak your dog’s paws for up to 5 minutes each.

• Don’t rinse, but dry her paws well after soaking.

Apple Cider Vinegar Body Rinse

• ½ cup apple cider vinegar

• ½ cup cooled green tea

• 1 cup filtered water

After bathing your dog with a natural shampoo, rinse then pour the ACV mixture all over her and pat dry.

In addition to bathing, environmental modifications to manage symptoms can include: 

• Adjusting walk time - early morning and evenings are peak pollen times

• Keep your dog inside when cutting the grass

• Avoid damp areas

• Wash blankets, beds, soft toys frequently

• Vacuum frequently 

• Regularly change furnace filters

• Manage humidity in your home with a dehumidifier

Trigger Proteins 

Many pet parents switch to a raw diet because they suspect the food as a trigger, which is a fantastic move.  Feeding a raw diet allows pet parents more control over what their dog is eating.  With ingredient lists that are small (but nutrient dense), it can be easier to pinpoint what food might be a source of irritation.   

If your dog has an underlying allergy to chicken, feeding them a high-quality, raw chicken diet will still trigger that same allergic reaction. If they have itchy skin even after switching to raw, take a close look at the protein you chose. 

This is where an elimination diet becomes your best friend.  A food elimination diet is when you limit the amount of ingredients you offer your dog for a period of time so you can watch how they react to certain items and build a diet by removing trigger items. 

This means concentrating on single protein options and removing other foods (kibble & treats) until you get a handle on what protein options work best for your dog.

Start with a protein you believe works best for your pup and feed that only for 2-4 weeks.  Document any changes you see in their behaviour and skin.  This is a time when people find It shifting away from common proteins and introducing Novel Proteins Raw Dog Food, such as kangaroo, boar/pork, or duck to be helpful.  

Once you feel confident in your findings with one protein, repeat the process with a different protein option.  Repeat as many times as needed to determine a rotation that includes a variety of options within your dog’s specific requirements.  (REMEMBER: variety is always the goal for a well balanced diet.)

Feeding a limited ingredient diet for a few weeks allows the immune system to calm down so you can pinpoint exactly what makes them thrive and what causes them to itch. 

➡️ Protein Note: The Four Roots blends with fruits and vegetables and Simple Rabbit and Simple Lamb are all single protein options.  If you are looking for a balanced meal option with beneficial fruits and vegetables, I recommend starting with Pine Pork or Timber Turkey. 

The Complete K9 blends are also suitable, but it’s important to note that some blends include a mix of organs, making them not completely single protein.  However, organs don’t always initiate a response like the meat proteins do, so I wouldn't rule them out completely! 

A Weakened Microbiome 

Gut health also plays a big role in immune and skin health.  An overactive immune system is the main driver behind the symptoms, and since 75-80% of immune cells live in the digestive tract there is reason to believe that addressing gut dysfunction is another part of the puzzle. 

Years of eating processed kibble, taking antibiotics, or undergoing routine chemical flea and tick treatments can alter your pet's gut composition. The gut can also be impacted by stress, age, and limited time outside.

Once again, a high quality diet is the first road to supporting a healthy gut microbiome.  A diet high in protein and dietary fibre will support the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut and help manage inflammation.  

There has been some research done to investigate the role of a diet’s impact on the gut microbiome.  One study in particular found that dogs fed a low carbohydrate diet rich in protein and dietary fiber shifted the balance of the gut bacteria in a group of dogs to support healthy weight loss.  

Utilizing resources like an Animal Biome Gut Health Test Kit can give you a literal blueprint of your dog's microbiome, allowing you to see exactly which beneficial bacteria are missing and providing tools to restore balance.  

One promising tool is transferring beneficial bacteria from healthy dogs to dogs with Atopic Dermatitis as a strategy to manage symptoms and as a preventative measure in puppies.  This process is called fecal microbiota transplantation and it’s made easy using Animal Biome’s Gut Restore product.  

READ STUDY THAT TESTED THE EFFICACY OF FMT ON 40 DOGS WITH ATOPIC DERMATITIS

Boosting the Skin Barrier with Targeted Supplements 

Sometimes, a raw diet needs a little extra support to conquer severe skin irritation. The skin barrier relies heavily on specific nutrients to remain resilient against moisture loss and external allergens. 

While the world of skin supplements can feel overwhelming, you don't need a cabinet full of products to see results. Here is how to build a targeted, effective routine starting with the essentials.

1. The Non-Negotiable: Marine Omega-3 Fatty Acids

If you only add one supplement to your dog's bowl (itching or no itching), make it a high-quality marine Omega-3. Marine-based Omega-3s provide bioavailable EPA and DHA, which actively fights chronic inflammation and strengthens the skin barrier.

Top Marine Sources to Look For:

• Green Lipped Mussels (also offers natural joint and anti-inflammatory benefits)

• Sardines

• Herring

• Salmon

2. The Root-Cause Helper: Gut & Immune Support

To soothe skin from the inside out, I lean toward targeted gut support like AnimalBiome Skin Rescue. This supplement uses specialized beneficial yeasts (S. boulardii) and postbiotics to outcompete harmful microbes, reduce itch-inducing toxins, and calm the overactive immune response driving atopic dermatitis. 

It also contains beneficial ingredients like: 

• Quercetin ("Nature's Benadryl"): A natural flavonoid that helps block histamine release during high-pollen seasons.

• Zinc: An essential mineral that promotes skin tissue repair and reduces secondary skin infections caused by frequent scratching.

Finding the Right Mix for Your Dog

Every case of atopic dermatitis is unique because every dog has different triggers and sensitivities. Start with marine Omega-3s as your foundation, support the gut, and introduce new supplements one at a time so you can clearly see what is working.

Because severe skin issues require a personalized approach, bring your ideas to your trusted vet or a pet nutrition specialist (like myself!) to tailor a plan that fits your dog’s exact needs.

We Are Here to Support Your Raw Feeding Journey! 

Navigating skin issues can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone. If you're ready to explore alternative proteins or want to add some soothing meal toppers to your routine, we invite you to browse our full selection of Raw Dog Food and natural supplements. 

Are you feeling stuck trying to figure out your dog’s triggers? Reach out to me at info@granddog.ca—we love helping our Grand Dog community find the right path to a happier, healthier pup! 

Related Reads from the Grand Dog Blog: 

● Probiotics & Prebiotics: Why They are Essential for your Dogs Health

● Restore Dog Gut Health with Animal Biome 

● Exploring Doggy Biome Gut Health Test: Archie's Test Results 

● Diesel's Story: Healing Papilloma Virus with Four Leaf Rover Natural Dog Supplements

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References: 

https://www.animalbiome.com/blogs/dog/managing-atopic-dermatitis-in-dogs?_pos=6&_sid=b2c652f04&_ss=r

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10286147/

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-topics/atopic-dermatitis-atopy

https://phys.org/news/2017-01-dog-diet-gut-microbiome.html

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Hey, thanks for reading!  Just one more note for you:

All information presented on this website is for informational and/or educational purposes only and based on our experience and those shared by our clients. These statements have not been evaluated by a veterinarian. This website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and is not intended to be a substitute or replacement for any medical treatment. Please seek the advice of a veterinarian for your dog’s specific health concerns.