Common Health Concerns

At Raw Essentials, we understand how frustrating ongoing itching can be for pets and their owners. Here, we explore some of the factors that may contribute to itchy skin, paws and ears, including nutrition, gut health, environmental triggers, stress and parasites, as well as practical ways to support healthier skin.

Itchy skin can be miserable for pets and frustrating for the people caring for them. The signs may be obvious scratching, but they can also include licking, chewing, rubbing, overgrooming, redness, scurf, scabs, hair loss, odour or recurring trouble with the paws and ears. Cats may groom away their hair without being seen scratching at all. The itch is what we can see. Working out what is driving it is the important part.

Itchy ears often signal a wider skin problem. Redness, scratching, head shaking, odour or recurring build-up may occur alongside paw licking or irritation elsewhere, although sometimes the ears are the only obvious sign. Repeated scratching around an irritated ear can also lead to a hot spot on the cheek or neck.

Hot spots usually begin when itching, irritation or discomfort causes a pet to lick, chew or scratch. This damages the skin and keeps the area warm and moist, creating a cycle that can be difficult to break.

Think before you treat. Raw Essentials supports faecal egg counts, flea checks, and titre testing as part of an evidence-based, whole-animal, pet-centred approach to parasite and disease prevention.

Good health starts in the gut – and it goes far beyond digestion. The gut-brain axis links gut health with mood, behaviour, and cognitive function, making it just as important for our pets as it is for us.

Environmental chemicals, allergens, toxins and stressors can all play a part in ours and our pet’s health so it’s worth considering all exposures including medications and interventions.

Body condition is one of the clearest indicators of your pet’s overall health. These visual charts help you assess whether your pet is under ideal, at an ideal weight, or over ideal by looking at shape, fat coverage, and waist definition. Maintaining an appropriate body condition health, vitality, longevity, and quality of life.

We see many cats and dogs who have been diagnosed with food & environmental allergies. Dogs and cats should be able to tolerate pollens, grasses, fleas & dust mites. At Raw Essentials, we rebalance the immune system by switching off the pet’s tendency to overreact.

The gut is our first line of defense against the outside world. The bulk of our immune system resides there and a healthy gut is required for good health. There are two major conditions negatively affecting the gut health of people and pets: 'leaky gut' and dysbiosis.

Dental health is important for many reasons - as well as causing infection, inflammation & pain, bacterial build up in the oral cavity can disseminate and affect other parts of the body, including the heart and kidneys.

We see many dogs and cats with a long history of steroid and antibiotic use. Suppressing the immune system with prednisone, cortisone or an ‘allergy shot’ gives the dog or cat some much needed relief.

Raw feeders sometime find that results on some blood tests are slightly elevated. Here's some information, including research findings, explaining why this happens.

Offer food that is easy to digest for mild vomiting & diarrhoea. But call your vet if pet is obviously unwell or the vomiting & diarrhoea is severe.

Successful vaccination will immunize your pet against some potentially serious diseases - but did you know that by individualizing your pet's vaccination programme, you can also reduce the risks of your pet experiencing vaccination side-effects?

Like us humans, dogs can experience stress or anxiety in many different environments and circumstances. Some dogs readily show this while others worry more on the inside.

Changing to a raw diet can make a huge positive difference to arthritic joints. In some cases, supplements may be beneficial too. Some pets can come off conventional pain medication, which can then be held in reserve for when they really need them.

Surgery and anaesthesia can temporarily affect digestion, appetite, and stool quality. Feeding appropriate, easily digested foods before and after a procedure can support recovery and comfort. Simple short-term adjustments with your vets guidance - helps transition pet’s back to their normal raw diet.

Fleas can be a hassle but getting your pet's diet right helps. Many pet owners find their pets are less prone to fleas when they change to a species-appropriate diet. A healthy gut is less prone to harbouring a significant worm burden.

Anal gland health is closely linked to gut function and stool quality. A well-planned raw diet, alongside lifestyle and veterinary support, can help reduce discomfort and support normal anal gland function over time.

Brachycephalic dogs (‘short nose’) have unique anatomical challenges that affect breathing, swallowing, and digestion. A careful, gradual approach to diet changes, supervision during meals, and safe feeding practices help support a safe transition to a raw diet for these breeds.

Cats are highly sensitive to changes in their environment and social dynamics. Creating a calm, enriched, and predictable home with separate resources, safe spaces, and opportunities for play can help reduce stress and support overall wellbeing.

Tradescantia is a common cause of allergic skin reactions in dogs and other animals.

Itchy paws are common and can be very frustrating for both pets and their people. Paws are constantly exposed to grass, pollen, dust, moisture and other potential allergens or irritants. Once licking starts, the extra moisture and irritation can make the problem harder to settle.

The complexities of weight management and what it means for your pet.

Urinary tract issues in dogs can involve the bladder, urethra, urine concentration, crystals, bladder stones, inflammation, infection, or individual breed and metabolic factors.

Chronic kidney disease, often shortened to CKD, is a gradual loss of kidney structure or function over time. It is more common in older pets and is especially common in senior cats, but dogs can also be affected.

Feline urinary tract problems are relatively common and can involve the bladder, urethra, urine concentration, crystals, bladder stones, inflammation, stress, and individual sensitivity.

Rabbit calicivirus, also known as Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV), is a virus that affects rabbits. Understandably, some pet owners have questions about whether rabbit or hare-based pet foods and treats could pose a risk to their cats, dogs, or household rabbits.

Our thoughts on the potential for diets with a high content of raw necks to cause hyperthyroidism in dogs.

The best diet for cancer prevention is a diet that provides the nutritional components required to maintain healthy cells and repair unhealthy ones.