02/25/2026
Hi everyone!! I get a lot of these questions so I thought I'd sum up some of the questions and give my answers for. ..Itchy German Shepherds... Hot Spots.... Red skin... Scratching...Eating their own poo 😳...
I thought I'd share what has worked for me over the years of raising and learning all about Shepherds. This is my opinion only. On the issues mentioned above.
Eating their own poo...
I feel this is ultimately a dog food issue. Dog food is not food. We all grew up believing its real food but in reality dog food to me is like that ...3 course meal chewing gum off of W***y Wonka Movie...
When dogs are only given Dog food I feel it changes their system and causes them to not be able to absorb nutrients properly. This is just my opinion my observation...
I do use Dog food. I also supplement with real foods and oils. Olive oil and salmon oil omega 3s!!
I try to add as much real food as I can. Bone broth. Testicles are very nutritious for them.😉 Make sure their gut bacteria is happy as well. If you give raw meat make sure to also supplement with a digestive enzyme to help their system adapt back to eating that type of food again. Watch for food allergies. Pink itchy skin... Im leaving out a lot of info but not on purpose so...
Do your research first!!... please and thank you.
Hot Spots...
I feel from the info that I have collected over the years and from my own observations .. I believe hot spots originate with dry skin and allergies.
German Shepherds coat is a combination of coats.
Also German Shepherds were breed for a colder climate.
Their coat trapes dirt and germs so now mix 🥵 high temperatures. Their skin gets very dry ...just like our skin. They get itchy. Allergies will also cause itching and chewing on their paws. Fleas or body bugs will also cause them to be itchy. Some have allergies to fleas. ...Its when they scratch breaking the skin and allowing bacteria to set in ... creating Hot Spots.
How I treat Hot Spots... glycerin, olive oil, and tea tree oil.
Whenever I bath my dogs I put vegetable glycerin in all the soap.I will add equal parts glycerin and dog shampoo. I use Dog conditioner to follow.
Glycerin has been around for many many years and according to research its very safe to use for ppl and pets. Glycerin is a softer. It will keep their skin moisturized and protected. This is a thick liquid at first but it changes and is very easy to work with. It will leave your dogs coat sooooo soft as well.
When a hot spot shows up Ill get a towel or paper towels.... get wet with warm to hot water, add a little glycerin and olive oil. Ill drip 4 to 5 drops of tea tree oil directly on the hot spot let set a min or two then use the towel and rub directly into to fur and hot spot. Cleaning all the flakes away out of the hair. I normally only have to do this 1 time and the spot clears up its, but sometimes it takes a little more. It definitely works.
Tea tree oil is absolutely wonderful for getting rid of body bugs and fungal infections.. works great on Fleas, lice, bacteria.. etc. Do be very safe when using tea tree( if you haven't before) it is poisonous to dogs and cats so dont get it close to their face or let them lick it.
Anyways I hopes this helps and good luck!
