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If you’ve ever shared life with a dog who can’t stop itching, scratching, or chewing at their paws, you know how upsetting it is to watch. (Imagine how your dog feels). Many pet parents think itchy skin is a surface issue, but the reality is much deeper than that.
Your dog’s skin is their largest organ, and at least 70 percent of their immune system lives in their gastrointestinal tract, or gut. You can imagine then what happens when your dog’s gut or microbiome is out of balance. Symptoms include irritated skin, redness, and persistent scratching or itching.
As a lifelong Cocker Spaniel mom and pet industry pro, I see thousands of products pass my desk every year. When Native Pet created GutWell Itchy Skin, it immediately stood out because it’s designed to support skin health by targeting the gut.
Curious whether this approach could actually help, I tried GutWell Itchy Skin with my own itchy dog, Sir Alvin, for a few weeks. What follows is my Native Pet GutWell Itchy Skin review so you can decide whether it’s worth adding to your dog’s daily regimen.
Product Overview and Target Purpose
Instead of masking symptoms on the outside, Native Pet takes an inside-out approach with a triple-biotic blend to help restore balance where it starts: in your dog’s microbiome. Native Pet is on the cutting edge with their new product because veterinary dermatology is evolving. The gut-skin axis is of significant importance because it examines how your dog’s digestive system and skin health are connected.
Since the immune system connects both areas, inflammation in your dog’s gut can trigger skin inflammation, while skin conditions can influence digestive health. This is where a lightbulb went off for me, as my dog has a sensitive tummy and itchy skin.
Instead of treating skin issues with creams or shampoos and a sensitive tummy with diet changes, vets are now looking deeper, and that’s where Native Pet comes in with their targeted approach, because better skin health starts in the gut.
GutWell Itchy Skin is one of the most unique I’ve encountered. Each 12.07-ounce bag contains 60 scoops of cold-pressed pellets, carefully formulated to be highly palatable. My dog is a fusspot, and he didn’t mind the daily addition to his meals. I appreciate that it is vet-formulated and developed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, free from artificial ingredients and fillers. Its target purpose is three-fold:
- Help reduce itching
- Promote a healthy skin barrier
- Promote skin hydration
Ingredient Breakdown and Mechanism
My dog is fussy about what goes into his mouth, and so am I. I’ve tried other over-the-counter supplements and treatments with varying degrees of success. Whenever I am considering giving my dog a new product, I immediately turn the bag or box around and read through the ingredients. Fortunately, I felt confident allowing Sir Alvin to consume GutWell Itchy Skin as a natural itch relief for dogs.
In each scoop, Native Pet produces a triple-biotic blend of probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics. These days, these terms get tossed around like a ship on a sea of biscuits. Native Pet is purposeful about what goes into each scoop and why. Namely:
- Probiotics for Dogs:(L. rhamnosus, L. plantarum, B. longum): Beneficial bacteria that help balance the gut microbiome and regulate immune responses linked to itchy, inflamed skin.
- Prebiotics for Dogs (FOS, MOS, β-glucans): Fiber compounds that feed good microbes and prime immune cells, supporting a healthier inflammatory balance.
- Postbiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae): Inactivated yeast components that help train the immune system and strengthen gut barrier defenses.
- Vitamin E & Zinc: Antioxidants and repair nutrients that protect skin cells, support elasticity, and maintain the integrity of the skin barrier.
While antihistamines may alleviate mild itching, they don’t always work for dogs and can mask the root of the problem. Steroids may be helpful and fast-acting, but come with their own share of long-term side effects.
By focusing on a science-driven approach from GutWell Itching Skin that supports healthy bacteria and immune system function in the skin, pet parents can move beyond masking symptoms. Instead, we’re giving our dogs a better shot at feeling comfortable in their own skin with less itching and less chewing, and I’m all for that.
Safety, Usage & Suitability
Before anything enters my dog’s body, it’s imperative to understand the dosing, safety, and suitability for his age and size. NativePet claims its GutWell Itchy Skin helps reduce flare-ups over time, rather than masking them.
Ingredients
Each scoop of Native Pet GutWell Itchy Skin combines a triple-biotic blend—probiotics (L. rhamnosus, L. plantarum, L. reuteri, B. longum), prebiotics (FOS, MOS, beta-glucans), and the postbiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae to support gut balance and immune health. Added Vitamin E and Zinc strengthen skin defenses and repair, while pork plasma, pumpkin, and flaxseed oil make the pellets tasty and filler-free.
Dosing and Administration
No worrying about messy powders or annoying liquids, as NativePet’s GutWell Itchy Skin features a straightforward scoopable system of cold-pressed pellets. Follow the chart and dosing instructions in accordance with your dog’s weight.
Native Pet advises starting with the directed “maintenance amount” for seven days, which we did, and then increasing to the advanced support amount until results are achieved. Pet parents can then return to the maintenance amount for ongoing support. By mixing it with your dog’s food, there is no need for pill administration or hiding a supplement in food.
Safety and Care Integration
This product is suitable for dogs of all ages and sizes, but you should always speak with your veterinarian first before adding any new product or supplement to your dog’s diet. If your dog has an immune disorder, takes multiple supplements or medications, especially fiber, be sure to ask your veterinarian about adding this product.
GutWell Itchy Skin is not meant to replace, but rather to complement, any topical or prescription management your dog is presently on. As part of a comprehensive approach, Native Pet provides a long-term product for managing your dog’s dermatological health through the gut.
My Review and Feedback
I am no stranger to Native Pet products and have successfully used several with my dog over the years. I know that their integrative approach focuses on natural, high-quality ingredients and clean-label products that are backed by science. Their products are manufactured in the United States, which is important to me, and they believe in transparency, which we all appreciate.
There was zero prep time, but I did worry that adding too much of a new product too soon might upset my dog’s tummy. I cut the initial dosing in half to be on the safe side, and after a week, I increased to the maintenance amount. Sir Alvin knew something was different in his food because he had been vigorously sniffing his meals for two days before eating the contents.
For 10 days, I monitored Sir Alvin’s bowel movements and poop consistency. His poop was a bit softer at times, but it never turned into diarrhea or anything concerning, which gave me great relief. Since he was already on a probiotic for gut support before starting GutWell Itchy Skin, I chose to stop that supplement so Native Pet’s product could work its magic.
Throughout our nearly three-week trial with the product, Sir Alvin experienced no gassiness, loose stools, or unusual symptoms. It was business as usual, which gave me great relief.
Notably, the product itself has an appealing aroma, rather than a medicinal or unappetizing one, which makes it easy to give, as dogs perceive it more as a treat than an annoyance.
The packaging is just as thoughtful: Native Pet GutWell Itchy Skin comes in a sturdy, resealable pouch that keeps the cold-pressed pellets fresh. The branding is clean, modern, and easy to spot on a shelf, with clear feeding guidelines printed right on the back so you don’t have to hunt down instructions.
Pricing & Availability
Native Pet makes it easy to buy GutWell Itchy Skin through a one-time purchase or with a 15 percent subscription discount for extra savings. It comes out to $29.99 for 60 scoops, which is about a month’s supply of an innovative product to help my dog. Shipping is free, and it comes with a 100 percent customer satisfaction guarantee, so it’s worth trying.
If you are a pet parent who has tried anything and everything to help your dog’s itchy skin, Native Pet’s GutWell Itchy Skin is worth trying for the price point alone. Compared to expensive vet visits, dermatology testing, and specialized diets, spending about a dollar a day for my dog’s overall comfort is well worth it.
Pros and Cons
Like all pet products, there are both advantages and disadvantages. I believe in full transparency, as Native Pet does, so here are the pros and cons of GutWell Itchy Skin:
Pros:
- Affordably priced for everyday use on a long-term basis.
- Simple to administer in a cold pellet format without any additives or fillers.
- Contains a scientifically informed triple-biotic blend to support root causes of skin inflammation.
- Native Pet has been providing helpful health solutions to dogs and cats for years.
- Crafted by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and vet-recommended.
- Conveniently packaged and travels easily for road trips and vacations.
- Includes skin-supportive nutrients like vitamin E and zinc for elasticity, barrier integrity, and antioxidant defense.
- Convenient home delivery means your dog never misses a dose.
Cons:
- This product is relatively new to the market, so there aren’t many reviews available yet.
- This is not a replacement for prescription allergy medications.
- Limited published clinical efficacy.
- This product requires consistent use to see results, and gradual improvement is expected.
- Not widely available in retail chains, only online.
- This product should not be used in conjunction with other GutWell products or high-fiber supplements to prevent potential digestive upset.
Final Verdict: Who Should Consider GutWell Itchy Skin?
In a world full of supplements for dogs, we highly recommend GutWell Itchy Skin from Native Pet. I had doubts at first because my dog tends to experience an upset stomach from new products or dietary additions.
After three weeks of using this product, I’ve already noticed some improvement in my dog’s itchiness. We know from recent dermatologic bloodwork that he’s allergic to specific environmental triggers like grass and pollen, so it’s encouraging to see progress despite those challenges. GutWell Itchy Skin is helping to promote a healthier skin barrier, and I’m optimistic that his itchy flare-ups will continue to ease over time.
I would not recommend this product for dogs that require immediate itch relief, those taking multiple gut supplements, or those with severe skin issues that require a stronger and more targeted solution. Always talk to your dog’s veterinarian or veterinary dermatologist before starting any new supplements.
Native Pet’s GutWell Itchy Skin is a gut-first approach that’s worth trying if you’re looking for long-term relief from itchy skin, especially when combined with other allergy-management tools.
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