Itchy dry skin

[harmony]

My poor Hayley has dry skin and is shedding like crazy.
I think I could knit a new dog from the hair she is losing.
She is a German Sheppard x boarder collie.
Her coat is thick and glossy.
Well last week she was smelling like a dog, so I gave her a shower.
I used her regular shampoo and didn't over soap her I thought but now she is itching and licking her paws like a cat.
I have checked and checked very carefully for any critters that she may have picked up but there is nothing. her skin is healthy and not wounds from the scratching.
But there are a few flakes or dry skin . Not many but a few.
I don't know if I should give her a cool shower and a gentle vinegar rinse to see if that helps.
She is eating and drinking and eliminating normally, so I am not concerned about a illness, but the poor girl is irritated.
Any suggestions?

[shelley]

When a dog licks their paws, it's because they're suffering an allergic reaction. That could be to a food or other substance. Tough to tell. Co-creative science allows us to ask Nature what the dog is allergic to.

I use a spray for "hot spots" that helps a lot. It has all natural, mostly herbal ingredients like rosemary, taht soothe the skin. One of my dogs is prone to breakouts - he tends to be yeasty because his foster parents gave him tons of antibiotics after he had teeth pulled, poor guy! I give him kefir but it hasn't won the battle yet.

[harmony]

AH HA
I was incorporating a new choice in 'health food" for her.
I have that great healthy pet store near me that I enjoy.

I started at 1/4 mixed into her old brand and have bumped up to 3/4 new stuff to 1/4 old brand.
This is most likely the culprit.
I know she wasn't enjoying it as much. I thought perhaps just a time of adjustment.
I hadn't considered that as the culprit because her poops have still been healthy.
But since she seems overall fine and has no other symtoms, this change in diet just hit me with your post.
Thanks Shelley!
and Hayley sends thanks as well.

[shelley]

Ah, you gotta watch out for those health foods for dogs I've discovered. Most of them contain flax seed oil, and I don't know about the rest of the canine population, but it drives my dogs insane! It is after all practically a weed...