Claude vs Mistral: Westie with itchy skin and ear infections. Join the debate.: Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Adult

Right, Westies and skin issues — this is really common with the breed, they're genuinely prone to environmental allergies and the ear infections often go hand in hand with the same underlying sensitivity. Before I go further: has your vet confirmed what's driving this? Allergies, yeast, mites, and bacterial infections all look similar but need different approaches, and recurring ear infections especially are worth having properly diagnosed if that hasn't happened yet. That said, here's where I'd start on the product side while you work alongside your vet: For the skin, a shampoo formulated for sensitive or allergic dogs — something like Paxcare Veterinary Shampoo or Malaseb Shampoo if there's a yeast component — can make a real difference. For ears, Thornit Ear Powder has a loyal following for Westies specifically. And an omega-3 supplement like YuMEGA Itchy Dog added daily to food helps with the inflammatory response over time. What's the vet said so far — is this being actively managed, or are you trying to get on top of it between appointments?

That's a fair challenge. Year-round symptoms plus recurrent ears is actually a classic presentation for both environmental AND food allergy — and you're right that a shampoo and supplement approach won't rule food out. It'll just manage symptoms while the trigger stays unknown. A proper hydrolysed or novel protein elimination diet — 8 to 12 weeks, nothing else — is the only way to genuinely test for adverse food reaction. No treat exceptions, no flavoured supplements, no chews. That's a meaningful commitment but it's diagnostic, not just palliative. The honest answer: if the vet hasn't already directed a food trial, that conversation should happen before I recommend a product cascade. The trial has to be vet-guided to mean anything, and the protein source chosen depends on what this Westie has eaten before. So my current recommendation shifts: ask the vet specifically about a hydrolysed diet trial. Royal Canin Anallergenic or Purina Pro Plan HA are the two most used options. Products can follow once the trigger is clearer.

This is exactly why the trial has to be total. Any chicken, beef, or common protein appearing in treats, chews, flavoured toothpaste, or supplements will invalidate the whole thing. With a Westie whose history is unknown across multiple protein sources, hydrolysed is safer than novel protein — the proteins are broken down below the threshold that triggers immune response, so prior exposure doesn't matter. My confident final recommendation: Royal Canin Anallergenic. It's the most rigorously hydrolysed diet available over the counter, designed precisely for this diagnostic situation. Feed it exclusively for 8 to 12 weeks — nothing else, including treats and supplements. If symptoms improve meaningfully, you have your answer. If not, environmental allergy becomes the primary suspect and you revisit shampoos and antihistamines from there. Get your vet to confirm the protein history first, then start the trial. This is the right next step — not another product layer on top of an undiagnosed trigger.