But about four months ago, my Beagle, Penny, started to get very itchy. I couldn’t even touch her without her legs starting to run, trying to get to the places I wasn’t reaching. She had to have been miserable.
I took her to the vet, who first gave her a cortisone shot, then prescribed a very expensive allergy medicine called Apoquel. While the shot didn’t work at all, the pills seemed to give her moderate relief.
I wondered if she was having a stress reaction related to my divorce and subsequent move to a new home, but she didn’t seem to get any better after things calmed down.
At random, I tried a limited ingredient food, but neither her nor Cooper would touch it. I went back to the pet store, looking for a food made for sensitive skin. The only one I could find was Hill’s Science Diet, so I tried it out. What a difference!
Her itching went away completely (although she still enjoys a good belly rub, of course), and her fur is so much softer! I’m seeing much less shedding, and she seems like a new dog. I’m not positive, but I think she may even be losing a little weight.
I’m not a paid endorser for Hill’s, but I am now a believer. Yes, it’s more expensive than the Dog Chow, but cheaper than Dog Chow + prescription. In reviewing the Science Diet website, I see they have 83 different products for dogs, including both wet and dry food and treats. I can’t imagine I’ll ever stop using their products – so glad I found the right one for Penny!
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
I had the same trouble with my red healers and I started with the science diet…it helped so much… their fur is softer and not much itching and shedding is down..