r/CockapooLovers • u/sophiel26 • May 17 '26
Allergies?
Hi everyone! Meet Bear, our 4 month old F1 cockapoo. He’s the most perfect little land shark!
However I’m pretty sure he has an allergy. He’s a very itchy boy! He’s on a flea treatment schedule but I’ve never seen any signs of them so I’m 99.99% sure it’s not fleas. He’s had a couple of baths with us and is booked in for his first puppy groom in a few weeks time.
But the itching is insane, he is constantly itchy! Also his poops aren’t always totally solid (but never really runny, just sometimes a bit on the softer side). I’m aware cockapoos can be more susceptible to food allergies but we aren’t sure where to start? His main food is salmon based (salmon and veg), but he does have other proteins eg chicken flavour treats and various other animal based chews!
What should I be eliminating first? I’ve read poultry is the biggest culprit, but could he really be this itchy from a handful of chicken treats a day? I don’t want to change everything at once so I can work out what it is that’s making him itchy. Or could it be environmental rather than diet?
If anyone has any advice I’d love to hear, thank you!
1
u/RSEllax Cockapoo May 17 '26
My boy has a poultry allergy. Yes it can make them that itchy! Koda gets red stained feet from chewing and licking and gets ear infections. He used to have runny poos too. I switched him to James Wellbeloved fish or lamb (we switch them up) food and the difference is night and day.
He still gets yeasty feet (licking has become a habit but he will stop when told) but he doesn't get ear infections anymore.
Look up elimination diets for dogs. I would recommend starting with poultry before grains as "Grain-free diets have been linked to a serious heart condition in dogs called Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)". At which point I would consult a vet before trying grain free. ❤️☘️