Starting from the inside, a sensitive digestion will cause your pet discomfort and anxiety. Symptoms of a sensitive stomach include diarrhoea, vomiting and wind. Others may include dry-heaving, discomfort of the stomach, side biting (pet seemingly trying to nip itself in the side), loss of appetite, grass eating, bloating and decreased energy. Even parasites can be a symptom of a sensitive stomach. If you have even the slightest concern that all is not well with your pet’s insides, then you should see your vet as it could, of course, be something more serious that needs attention.

There are no breeds of dog which are predisposed to having food allergies or being sensitive to certain food groups. Many people get confused between what is a food allergy and what is a food intolerance; they are two distinct conditions. Food allergies will appear as itching and other skin problems. Food intolerances are often manifested by an upset stomach or diarrhea as a result of eating food which does not agree with the dog’s stomach.

Most basic food ingredients included in standard dog and cat foods have the potential to induce an unwanted response, although most reactions are caused by proteins. In particular, dogs and cats can become sensitive to cow's milk, beef, fish or cereal.

If your pet’s sensitivity is due to food allergies or intolerances, then you will have to take professional advice on improvements to diet. If it is suspected that your pet has food allergies or intolerances, you and your vet will have to work out what is causing the problems. This is done by elimination. After it is established what the problem is, the solution may well be a simpleone. Manymanufacturersproduce dog or cat foods for pets with sensitive tums, and these exclude the ingredients that typically cause our pets problems. If your dog or cat’s allergy or intolerance is fairly common, then a ready-made food should do the trick. Food manufacturers have websites offering a wealth of information so take the time to read them all and take advantage of the free advice they offer – some offer helplines, as well. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You will know that your dog or cat is responding to the improved diet, as the obvious diarrhoea or vomiting will improve / cease plus the coat will be shiny and healthy, and your dog’s weight will be at a good level. Plus your pet won’t have constant wind or be itching!

If you find a food that your pet does well on, don’t be tempted to constantly switch to experiment or to try other things. Changing your sensitive pet’s diet overnight may well cause the old problems so always take advice and let your pet enjoy the routine of a happy digestive system. Never be tempted to try your dog on cat food or vice versa, as they are constructed different as each species has different nutritional requirements.

Don’t be tempted to overfeed a pet with a sensitive tummy to compensate for their condition – it won’t help. Nor should you be tempted to increase treats. Looking at the outside of your pet, identifying sensitive skin can be a little easier. The skin of dogs is actually more sensitive than ours, which makes sympathising with them easier as we know what it is like to get a dry or itchy patch of skin in some hard to reach spot. A dog’s natural habitat of enjoying lying on the earth, rolling in grass or running through fields will also cause irritation in the shape of seed heads, bits of foliage, pesky insects (including fleas) and some pollen. All of these can irritate your dog’s skin. Even in the process of helping your dog you could be making it worse – the residue of some shampoos can cause irritation. And of course we have already explored in this article the fact that food allergies can manifest themselves in problem skin.

As well as an improvement to diet, brushing your dog most days in summer will help remove pollens etc., plus keep matting under control. You will also be helping to remove moulting hair. (Cats will almost certainly appreciate a groom, and with long- haired breeds this is vital in keeping matted coat at bay.) Keeping your dog clean will help as well, so ensure that your dog visits a groomer regularly or you bathe him yourself – take advise from the vet how regularly this needs to be done as you should take care not to overdo it. If your dog has sensitive skin, you should also consider using a specialist shampoo that does is specially formulated for your dog’s skin.

A good technique for dog bathing is to use your bath or a sink which is large enough so the dog feels safe. Use warm water, never too hot or too cold. Leave it to cool for while if that is easier than adding cold water. After a groom to remove loose hair, pop your dog in the bath and wet thoroughly with water avoiding the eyes and ears. Using your hands (wear rubber gloves if you prefer your dog won’t mind!) smooth a modest amount of shampoo over the dog and gently rub so that it lathers. Rinse thoroughly. If using a spray, make sure the temperature is comfortable. Don’t leave your dog unattended. Take the dog out and towel dry immediately. If you have a small dog, lifting it onto a towel on the floor then towel drying with a towel over the back will cut down the inevitable ‘shake and spray’ which is the ‘reward’ of the dog bather. A treat is nice for a dog that has been patient, and it is not unusual for dogs to be excited post bath and need a run round the garden! Certainly a piddle should be offered. When dry or nearly dry if it is warm, once your dog has had a comfort break and a treat, let him or her have a bit of peace and quiet to rest after all the excitement.

If your dog is prone to itching and scratching, it is vital you keep on top of flea treatments as bites from these pesky things will drive your dog nuts, causing sore or raw patches, loss of hair, and saliva staining on white-haired breeds such as Westies. These treatments are best done after a bath, as often you cannot administer them for a certain amount of days before the treatment.

There are some supplements and foods that are designed for dogs with sensitive skins. These are worth considering, particularly if you have real trouble keeping your dog comfortable. Don’t be afraid to ask the manufacturers for their advice and always ask your vet for their opinion. If your pet has sensitive skin, it is well worth keeping on top of bed cleanliness. Keep pet towels and blankets fresh and consider cutting down on detergent as well. Investing in special pet blankets may seem unnecessary, but if they are easier to keep clean than a wool blanket or they tumble dry, it will make the task much easier. Don’t forget blankets etc., which stay in your car for travelling. For fabric beds that take a while to dry, hanging them on the line or giving them a good shake outdoors and of course plastic beds can be scrubbed and rinsed. Keeping pet blankets fresh will also greatly help your home smell fresh as well. If your dog or cat is avoiding their bed, it could be that it is uncomfortable or itchy with things we can’t feel. Pets have a clever way of pointing out what is wrong, if only we didn’t sometimes mistake it for naughtiness!

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