How to Groom a Shih Tzu with Itchy Skin!
We often get asked how to groom a Shih Tzu that itches, scratches and has sore or itchy skin. The skin of a Shih Tzu reflects how healthy his immune system is so it’s vitally important to recognize that the itchy Shih Tzu will need help on the inside as opposed to simply dealing with the itching that we can see.
Shih Tzu immunity can be affected by many things. Allergy to the environment, allergens within foods and even stress. When your Shih Tzu itches its not simply a case of buying a special shampoo or popping to the veterinarian’s office for a tube of cream, you have to look at all areas of your dog’s life and make improvements.
They say that human immune system shows in our respiratory system (coughing, sneezing and runny nose) and the dog’s shows in his skin. So, if your Shih Tzu grooming is showing that your dog is itchy and unhappy in his skin, take a look at the following points because they may just be the very reason for the itch.
Shih Tzu Grooming – Itchy Flaky Skin
So, when an allergen goes into that little body of your Shih Tzu his immune system kicks into play. This is called second stage immunity and happens as a result of poor food amongst other allergens.
The cells of the immune system rush towards the allergens in the dog’s body. Think of the allergens like harmful invaders. The cells gobble up these harmful invaders to keep the body of the dog safe and healthy.
This is a great and quite miraculous response from the body wouldn’t you say? Yet when the dog’s body is subjected regularly to allergens the immune system becomes over run. The harmful invaders are overcoming the immune response because of their sheer numbers. The body then tries another tactic and catches the invaders in the skin, shedding them that way.
So when you ask us how to groom a Shih Tzu with itchy skin, this battle has probably been going on in your dog’s body for some time now.
Itchy Shih Tzu – Treat the Dog on the Inside
Many people try shampoos, ointment and even steroid creams for the itchy Shih Tzu, yet now you know what’s happening inside your dog, you should be able to see how harmful this approach can be.
By stopping the ability to shed away the harmful invaders you can easily push them back into the body, causing a catastrophic result for your little Shih Tzu and his internal organs.
Anything can cause this severe immune response but more often than not it’s the allergens that are regularly used in commercial dog food, these include grains, fillers, poor quality meats and animal derivatives. Poor dog food has a two pronged effect on Shih Tzu health, it causes allergic reactions then provides poor nutrition, leaving the dog’s body unable to cope.
Therefore, if your Shih Tzu is itching it’s vitally important that you leave behind the quest for how to groom a Shih Tzu with itchy skin and begin to search for ways to enhance and improve the immune system of your beloved dog.
