Our Belgian Malinois, Josie, has had itchy ears—or rather, an itchy ear—since she was about six months old. For over three years, we’ve been locked in an ongoing battle, switching foods five times in an attempt to find relief. I’ve tried every dry kibble labeled “food-sensitive” and “skin-sensitive” on the market—most of which come with a hefty price tag—but nothing worked long-term. The itch would subside temporarily, only to return in full force, leading to relentless head shaking and scratching.
As a dog mom, I felt helpless watching her suffer. Multiple vet visits over the years resulted in the same diagnosis: “She’s allergic to something in her food.” But after our most recent vet visit, the diagnosis took an unexpected turn. Turns out, Josie isn’t allergic to food at all—she has poor gut health. Wait, what?!
Much like humans, dogs can suffer from imbalanced gut microbiomes, which can lead to digestive issues, itchy skin, and even weakened immune systems. Who knew?
The Gut Health Connection
I’m a big believer in probiotics for myself, so I should have connected the dots sooner. Bad dog mom moment—sorry, Josie!
As I dove into researching gut health in dogs, I stumbled upon some eye-opening symptoms of an imbalanced microbiome:
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Vomiting
- Itchy skin
- Hair loss
- Inflamed, red skin
- Rashes or hives
- Gum disease
- Obesity
- Anxiety
Holy moly! I think every single one of my eight dogs has exhibited at least one of these symptoms. Yikes!
The Big Question: Whole Food Diet?
So now I’m at a crossroads. Do I switch all eight of my dogs to a whole-food diet (and take out a second mortgage to afford it), or do I make my own food and supplement with vitamins and minerals to maintain balance?
Option 1: Prepackaged Whole Food Diet
The thought of simply dumping a pre-portioned bag of wholesome food into their bowls morning and night sounds pretty appealing. It has to smell better than their current dry kibble and, dare I say, probably tastes better (though I won’t be conducting a firsthand taste test). Some popular options include Raised Right, Just Food for Dogs, and The Farmer’s Dog. They all have science-backed claims and loyal supporters.
But, of course, there are drawbacks:
- Refrigeration Required: My fridge is always full (usually with an embarrassing number of leftovers I forget to throw out until I need space). Storing multiple bags of food? Not ideal.
- Dental Health Concerns: I’ve always believed dry kibble helps keep teeth cleaner, much like chewing on bones does. Wet food can contribute to more frequent dental cleanings, especially in smaller dogs.
- The Elephant in the Room – Cost: When I calculated the price for Josie alone, it came out to $175 every two weeks. I shudder to think of the cost for my entire pack.
Option 2: DIY Whole Food Diet
So, what’s a dog mom to do? After extensive research, I’ve decided to make my own balanced dog food. Let’s call it “Semi-Homemade-Whole-Food.” I mix 1/2 cup of The Honest Kitchen Chicken Dehydrated food with ¾ cup of warm water as a topper to her white fish kibble. Josie loves it, and it is more cost-effective than anything else I’ve found. At first glance, the 10-pound box seems pricey until you realize that 10 pounds of dehydrated actually makes 40 pounds of prepared food. The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Chicken can be found at Chewy and Amazon, both have auto-ship programs. Here is my Amazon link
I’ll be supplementing the semi-homemade meals with:
- A good probiotic—I chose this one, and so far, it’s working wonders. It’s available on Amazon or Chewy. Here is my Amazon link.
- Salmon oil—Josie isn’t a fan of the taste on its own, but when mixed with her food, she eats it without hesitation. It is available on Amazon or Chewy. Here is my Amazon link.
I am an Amazon Associate so I may earn a commission on any Amazon orders. Sadly, I am not a Chewy affiliate, but I love Chewy too!
Measuring Success: How Will I Know It’s Working?
First and foremost, I hope to see Josie’s ear itching and head shaking disappear. But to get real, measurable data, I opted for a microbiome test at the vet. This simple test (just a small poop sample) analyzes gut bacteria, identifying imbalances and harmful bacteria. The test wasn’t cheap at $176, but after years of vet visits and treatments, it seemed worth it. My plan is to transition Josie to the semi-homemade diet and supplements, then retest in six months to see if her gut health has improved. I’m guessing her ears will tell me before her poop!
I’ll keep you posted on our journey! If you’ve had experience with whole food diets or have any go-to dog food recipes, drop a comment below—I’d love to hear from you!
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