Allergies?

[Nancy and Finley]

I am fairly new to this forum.  I live in Henderson and have a 13 month old mini (27 lbs.) Austrailian Labradoodle, Finley.  For the last 2 months or so Finley has started scratching his body and neck.  I took him to the vet and he was given Atarax for allergies.  Fin is fed Stella and Chewy Surf and Turf freeze dried raw and Acana Pork and Butternut Squash (limited ingredient).  He started the scratching after he had been on the foods so I don't think he's allergic to it.  I do take him to the park near the Post Office on Amador and Horizon Ridge.  There is lots of grass there and pine needles and Finley likes to roll in the grass and play with the other pups.  I think he has environmental or seasonal allergies.  I do not use toxic cleaning chemicals in my home, but essential oils and . vinegar.  Does anyone else have dogs with allergies?  If so, do you have any clues as to what this may be? 

I also treat Finley with essentials oils for the scratching which does help, but doesn't cure which again makes me think this is seasonal. 

Thank you for reading this post. 

[Linda and "Toby"]

Hi Nancy,

Toby will go thru occasional bouts where he scratches like crazy, too. I've never been able to figure out the source, although it seems to help when I give him a bath using organic Pure Castile Soap (peppermint). You can buy it at Fresh and Easy, Whole Foods... even Smiths carries it in the organic products section.

BTW, speaking of yards.... be sure to check your yard for a plant called Lantana. It's a common ground cover in Southern Nevada and has small, colorful little flowers on it. (Some are purple, others are orange, yellow, etc.) It's in bloom right now and dogs like the flavor of the spearmint scented leaves - especially when their stomach is upset. It's extremely toxic for dogs. (It made Toby deathly ill a few years ago! He couldn't stop vomiting. It was terrible. I thought we were going to lose him.)