There are many possible causes of the chronic itchy skin, hot-spots, dandruff and oily coat that plague many dogs. In the summer months, fleas or environmental / contact allergies may be the culprit – many pets are sensitive to certain types of grass and weeds. Other possible irritants in the home include detergents used to wash blankets and bedding, household cleaners, or sprays used in the yard.

One common cause that’s often overlooked, is diet. Food sensitivities are abundant in almost every breed, possibly due to genetics or that fact that many animals are fed the same food for months or even years on end, with no variety in ingredients or alternative sources of nutrition, such as fresh real food.

One of the most common causes of food sensitivity in pets, is grain. Lots of pets are sensitive to gluten, which can cause an inflammatory response that manifests itself as itchy skin or red and inflamed feet, GI Upset or persistent ear infections.

Recommending a no-grain diet to customers who have itchy pets, is a great first stop in helping them to overcome this problem that can be uncomfortable for the pet - and frustrating and upsetting for the whole family.

If it is not possible to feed a completely no-grain diet, then one with only organic, whole-grains would be the next best choice. Grain fractions (gluten, husks, hulls etc) can be more problematic than the whole grain, and organic food, by definition, cannot be genetically modified. One school of thought is that GM grains are more likely to cause an adverse reaction in a sensitive pet; Studies show that when butterflies and other species come in contact with pollen from genetically modified crops, they suffer a number of health problems and genetic mutations eventually occur. It is possible that a similar thing happens when other species consume GM grains – especially species whose systems aren’t designed to cope with a grain overload in the first place.

Some pets are sensitive to ingredients other than grain, such as certain meats, vegetables or herbs. These sensitivities are generally less common, and in fact a pet who seems to be allergic to a certain meat, say chicken, because she gets itchy every time she eats her chicken flavored kibble, may actually be just fine when eating real, home-prepared raw or lightly cooked chicken. The problem is high heat processing that alters the amino acid structure, making the protein problematic in its processed form.

A natural, no-grain, minimally processed diet that’s also free of chemical preservatives and fillers, can go a long way to combating the problem of itchy skin, from the inside out. Customers are usually delighted with the results and under veterinary supervision , they may even be able to start reducing the long-term steroids and antibiotics they’ve had to administer to their pets. Many cats and dogs show a noticeable improvement in just a few days after starting a no-grain diet.

You should also consider the types of shampoos that you’re using. Are they all-natural? Are they PH Balanced for a dogs skin? Do they have ingredients to help combat itchy skin?  If not, you should find a shampoo that does. We recommend Comfy Dog Oatmeal Conditioning Shampoo for Dry & Itchy Skin .

Also contrary to popular belief, in some cases washing your dog more often can be a good thing! Since environmental allergens are usually absorbed through the skin, weekly bathing can prevent itchiness , washing allergens away before they get a chance to penetrate the skin.

Back to food–Our favorite line of fresh no-grain food is The Honest Kitchen . They produce a line of dehydrated foods that are guaranteed human grade because they’re actually produced in a human-grade plant. The company offers several completely grain free diets as well as a gluten free option made with the ancient grain, Quinoa.

In the meantime, you can try a topical all natural anti-itch spray until a more permanent solution can be found.

Good news for pet store owners– We happen to know that they are currently offering specially priced ISO’s for new stores (whooo hooo!) Contact Cami at accounts@thehonestkitchen.com for more information.

2 in 1 Dog Shampoo & Conditioner from happytails

Dog Grooming Review - A Merryvaluation
by Angie McKaig

Once you leave behind the cheapo pet "big box" grooming supplies for your pet and start stepping into the world of upscale and/or natural coat care products for dogs, it’s a whole new world, baby. And a confusing one. If you think "all natural" is a hard word to define in the world of human food, just try it with pet grooming unguents and see how far you get.

It’s one of the reasons I’ve always liked and respected happytails™ - because they not just believe in but insist on transparency with the customer. The information they make available about their products - what goes into them, and more importantly why those ingredients are used - is among the most comprehensive in the entire industry.

I’m all about transparency. How am I supposed to make an informed choice if I don’t understand?

This is never more true than with their newest product, InFuzion.

InFuzion is the company’s first (I believe) 2-in-1 product, combining shampoo and conditioner in a single bottle. But it’s much more than that.

The secret, or part of it anyway, is in the little blue and white bubbles: microbeads. They contain conditioning vitamins and are designed to burst up against the skin and roots, and to really penetrate tough coats.

The rest of the formula is incredible: a powerhouse of 14 amino acids (to improve shine, softness and heal skini damage), Jesuit’s Balsam and Brazil Nut extract (to reduce flaking and irritation), Canadian Willowherb (an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant) and three tea tree oils (to reduce itching and redness).

The company makes a one-page info sheet available on their web site about the product which includes a full list of all the ingredients as well as their purpose (it’s a bigger list than we can provide here). Highly recommended particularly for the side-by-side feature comparison of their three main shampoo products and where InFuzion fits in. Makes life much easier for the pet owner trying to decide which one is bets.

The scent is really interesting. The company calls it "Clean Laundry" and it’s definitely got that soft, springtime scent to it. But it’s not overpowering at all - you really have to sniff the fur closely to smell it once the pooch is dry again. (Nobody likes an overpowering scent - least of all, your pooch.)

It wasn’t a hugely frothy lather though it was more than enough to get the princess clean, and it rinsed very clean - one of my sticking points. And the princess’s coat felt gorgeously soft afterwards.

I have to say, though, my favorite part was the 2-in-1 part. The beads looked cool, but it was really convenient to only have to go through one product while dealing with a wet pooch, rather than having to go through two separate steps for cleaning and conditioning.

InFuzion has definitely made a place for itself on the side of our tub. You should check it out.

You can find out more about happytails™ from their web site at www.happytailsspa.com . Tell them Merry sent you!

Click here to read the original article at PamperedPuppy.com

We hear this question all the time– "what’s the difference between my shampoo and my dog’s shampoo?"

You may be surprised to learn that a lot is different. Of course, if you run out of Fido’s shampoo and you use your own to wash your dog a couple of times, nothing will happen. Your dog’s hair won’t fall out and life will probably go on as normal.

But there are areas in which human and dog shampoos differ. You may not notice the ill effects of human shampoo if used only a couple of times on your pooch, but after repeated use, you’ll start to see.

1. Ingredients. Dog’s have different problems that humans do. We usually don’t sit around and scratch our heads as much as dogs scratch. This is because dog’s eliminate toxins differently than we do. We can sweat them out. Since dogs really don’t sweat their toxins are eliminated through their kidneys and bowels. With this in mind, we add ingredients to help relieve itchy skin and soothe skin inflammations. The best shampoo to help relieve itchy skin is Comfy Dog Oatmeal Shampoo for Dry & Itchy Skin.

2. Ph Balance. A dog’s skin is about 7.5 while human skin is about 5.5 (to put it in perspective, water is about 7.0). Therefore, a dog’s skin is more alkaline so ideally a dog’s shampoo should be between 6.5-7.5 or it could be irritating to the skin. Highlyacidic shampoos may also diminish the hair’s protective qualities, removing valuable oil from teh coat and skin. the result is dry, irritated skin and a dull coat. Of course it’s a vicious cycle because the dog will scratch which only makes the problem worse.

3. Dog’s have sensitive skin- A dog only has about 3-5 cell-layers thick while we have about 10-15 layers thick. So, harsh shampoos with lots of chemicals and those that aren’t PH balanced will be irritating.

The case for conditioners - Shampoos by design are used for cleaning- removing unwanted grime from the skin and coat. But shampooing, without sealing the coat afterwords, leaves the hair shaft open– at that point residue can enter and oils and hydration escapes.

What you can do is use a conditioner after shampooing to close the hair cuticle and restore hydration, moisture and elasticity.

Conditioners also fill in the damaged hair that drying, brushing, dematting and rubbing causes. Just normal wear and tear chips away at the hair cuticle. Conditioners can help to remove the cuticle to a smooth state and one that gives a more lustrous appearance and feel.

The best deep conditioner I’ve used is Fur Butter (or Fur Worse). It’s an oatmeal based ultra rich conditioning treatment for dry, damaged and long coats. It’s the richest conditioner I’ve used and leaves the dog very soft & silky.

So know you know the difference– there really is one!

In the past you might have purchased grooming products to sell in your store or use in your grooming area, now, you buy spa items. You might be wondering what’s the difference between grooming & spa, and how can you explain those differences to your customers and justify the higher price point?

Grooming focuses on one aspect of the dog- a temporary external appearance. Spa (which is an acronym for Sanitas Per Aquas- healing through water) recognizes that beauty is much more than skin deep. So really, you’re selling much more than spa products, you’re selling a life style by:

1. Focusing on the inside & outside health of the dog - overall health can’t be achieved by just keeping your dog clean (although it certainly helps), dogs (& humans) must also pay attention to their internal well-being by eating a healthy all natural diet, like that from The Honest Kitchen , taking vitamins, herbal elixirs and herbal supplements.

2. Appealing to all of the senses - spa products stimulate smell, sight, taste and even hearing. Aromatherapy is commonly associated with the spa experience, and while smell is just one of the applications of aromatherapy , it is a powerful one.  Spa products generally contain essential oils, which are much more therapeutic (and expensive) than synthetic fragrances. Sound and music are also important and there are many CDs available specifically designed to help calm dogs like that from Alpha for Pets .

3. Taking care of the dog’s mental well-being - dogs get nervous too (have you seen a dog during fireworks or a thunderstorm?) Products like Sleepytime Tonic can aid in relaxation and is also wonderful to use during travel, before trips to the vet & groomer, before obedience school (so the dog is more attentive) and during thunderstorms.

Another important thing we forget about is exercise. Without lots of exercise most dogs become bored, lethargic and generally unhappy. In fact, Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer, said that the most three most important things to give youor dog, in order of importance, are exercise, obedience and affection.

4. Caring about the environment - Spa products are typically more natural, healing, and environmentally friendly. Products that contain botanical and herbal extracts are going to cost more than those that don’t. Beware of shampoos that are pink, purple or other bright colors. These have coloring in them and are not natural!

5. Offering High-Quality formula - Generally those who create spa products go to great length to make sure that the formula is not only efficacious but safe and gentle as well. Harsh products will be irritating to the skin and will not take into consideration the PH balance of a dog’s gentle skin

6. Caring for the Dog’s Emotional Well-Being It’s important that your customers spend quality time with their dogs. Light a candle. pour a glass of wine (for the human, not the dog) and give a doggie massage. Moisturize those paw pads , condition that coat , and chill out while the smell of lavender and chamomile wafts through the room. This will do the dog owners.

7. Providing Excellent Service - Consumers who purchase spa products generally expect some personal service. You have probably noticed that retailers don’t sell Chanel the same way they sell Cover Girl. Cover Girl is a low-cost self- service line which doesn’t require a lot of explanation while Chanel, and other high end products, comes with lots of demonstration, samples and personal service. Some customers appreciate that extra service, and will pay for it.

In a nutshell- ‘SPA’ is much more then a bottle of shampoo. It’s about creating a healthy lifestyle and spreads across many product types- grooming, food, vitamins/supplements, toys and even services like dog training.

Product Ideas

Spa/Grooming
Happytails Canine Spa Line

Towels
Farfetched

Healthy Food
The Honest Kitchen

Treats
Dogswell
Music
Alpha for Pets

Spa Robes
Barking Baby