In this new feature, I’ll answer any pet questions you might have – from training to fun tricks, you name it! Have a question? Just contact me with it! Like this feature? Let me know by hitting “I Like This Post” below or leave a comment! 
Dear Emmie,
My dear 2 yr old Labrador, Abby, has been chewing & licking her feet a ton. She also scratches a bunch but is 100% bug free, and she also has what looks like a bad breakout on her chin – which my charming old vet said could be anything. She also has chronic yeast infections in her ears, but that may be unrelated. She ate Wellness Puppy when she was little, but due to less funds, she now eats a more commercial dog food. I’m thinking of finding something good for her again, but there are so many options that I’m unsure what to pick (organic,grain free, allergy, protein sources etc). Any guidance would be great!
Thanks a million, Jessica
Hi Jess!
My first thought when I hear itchy feet is that she most likely has developed a food allergy – and the most common culprit with that kind of reaction is corn, so you’re spot on! It is also possible that as she has aged, she has developed seasonal allergies just like a person can get – and since her feet are the most likely places to waltz through pollen, they bother her the most (Bailey has seasonal allergies, but his tend to manifest in clear, runny nasal discharge). Emmie has a corn allergy that developed around the time she turned 13 months, so it’s very common for a dog without a food allergy to develop one over time – and they may appear as upset stomach, hot spots, itching, thinning hair or sneezing.
I definitely recommend switching to a higher grade pet food, and my personal opinion is to move to anything without some of the larger allergens: corn, beef, wheat, soy, yeast. Our pups currently eat Wellness Small Breed and I hands down love this brand — I’ve actually worked with the company directly when they were new and setting up little trials in our shelter, and I am beyond thrilled they finally agreed to start selling in large pet supply stores. Other great brands are Blue Buffalo, Natural Balance and Canidae (Felidae for cats). Canidae can be hard to find but it geared toward animals with food allergies. Also be aware of treats and the allergens they carry (for example, Milk Bones have both corn and beef).
As for the chin, Labs are quite prone to canine acne. It isn’t the prettiest thing but is relatively harmless unless it gets infected. You may find the acne clears up on it’s own as her system gets rid of any allergens when you move her to an allergen-free food source, but if not, some folks find that their dogs’ acne clears up when they move from a plastic food bowl to a stainless steel or stone ware bowl (some dogs have reactions to the plastic).
As for chronic ear infections, Bailey is cursed with the same issue and I am a HUGE fan of Zymox – it works and I reviewed it here. Highly recommended! In the meantime, as she adjusts to the new food and possibly new serving dish, you can help reduce her itchy with a simple oatmeal bath – and you can get an oatmeal based dog shampoo at Walmart for as low as $3.00 or even make your own.
Hope that helps!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Awesome advice! One of my dogs, Lux, has severe food allergies. And flea allergies. And pretty much if there’s an allergy she can have she’s going to go ahead and develop it. We have her on some expensive food ($50 for an 18 pound bag I think), but it’s totally worth it! No more scratching or whining or picking at her feet. I know money is an issue sometimes, but when you make a commitment to a pet you’re committing to taking care of ALL of it’s needs. Sometimes that requires things you never thought of and money you didn’t think you’d need to spend!
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Brittney Reply:
April 15th, 2011 at 9:15 am
And one of the perks with higher quality food is that you often up reducing vet bills for the issues that can manifest from dietary items!
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jess Reply:
April 15th, 2011 at 10:22 pm
Abby and i sniffed out some new dog food today! so excited i hope all her yukkies go away soon. thanks
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Great advice.
My dogs eat Acana right now, but as one of the pricier brands at my pet store (save Orijen which is same company but higher protein) I’m always curious about other high quality foods to try.
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Brittney Reply:
April 15th, 2011 at 11:27 am
Oo, that’s actually helpful to know what is available in other countries, too! I’ll have to Google em!
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Hi,
I sell acana and orijean at my work, and they are deifnitely the best. They do not have any grains in them, it’s all protien and fruits/veggies. If you look at the ingredients it’s actually better then I eat on a daily basis. They have a line of 6 fish which is for dogs with allergies. My boss’s yellow lab had very itchy feet, and flaky skin and now that he’s on this he’s much better. Many dogs are allergic to corn, and/or chicken, so defintely good to say away from that. And the best part of this dog food is it’s MADE IN CANADA! aka, there are regulations compared with the states where there are no regulations as to what dog food companies can put in their dog food. It’s a little more expensive, but you can also feed alot less since it is higher protien instead of mostly grains. It’s definitely the best choice around, mind you I’m not 100% sure if it’s available in the states.
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Brittney Reply:
April 15th, 2011 at 4:01 pm
It sounds a lot like Blue Buffalo’s “Wild” Line – grain free and more of what a canine might eat out in the wild. Sort of a dog version of the Paleo diet! LOL. We use their wet to supplement the dry we use from Wellness!
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