Strength of the Pack

In 2018, after losing my Chihuahua Marius at age thirteen to heart and lung failure, I adopted a small rescue dog from Seattle Humane. The moment I saw her, I knew she was mine. I named her Sofia.

Within months, Sofia began developing recurring skin infections.
Hot spots. Rashes. Inflamed patches that never fully healed.

At one point a veterinarian described bacteria “crawling under her skin.” That comment pushed me to step back and ask a more basic question: not which drug, but what was driving the inflammation in the first place.

I began looking at diet.

Most commercial kibble is highly processed, low-moisture, and heavy in refined carbohydrates and omega-6 fats. These factors are known to alter the gut microbiome and promote systemic inflammation. Skin disease is often a downstream effect of gut dysfunction.

I transitioned Sofia to a fresh, raw, species-appropriate diet: beef, organs, vegetables, and targeted supplements, rotating several recipes.

The change was gradual but unmistakable.

Within months:
• skin lesions resolved
• infections stopped recurring
• a thick undercoat grew in
• itching decreased
• energy increased
• sleep deepened

She looked younger, moved more easily, and stopped needing medications.

Today, I rotate balanced homemade meals and trusted commercial raw options. My goal is simple: whole foods, minimal processing, appropriate protein, and microbiome support.

This is one dog, not a clinical trial. But the mechanism makes sense. When the inflammatory load drops and the gut improves, the skin often follows.

If you are dealing with chronic skin or allergy problems in your dog, diet is worth examining before adding another prescription.