Quick Summary
After approximately 10 weeks on a hydrolyzed diet with no improvement in Clifford’s paw licking, I transitioned him back to a raw diet. We have now completed the transition to We Feed Raw, a yeast-free option that aligns well with his allergy testing results. I’ve also been using DOUXO S3 PYO Mousse on his paws nightly for the past 2–3 weeks. I’ve noticed less licking recently, but it’s still too early to know exactly what’s helping.
What Clifford Is Eating
Food
- 6 oz. We Feed Raw – Chicken (frozen)
- 1/3 cup cooked white rice
Treats
- 2 Hills Hypo Treats per day
Daily Calories
401 calories per day
Current Weight
12.4 pounds (up from 10.6 pounds during the hydrolyzed diet trial)
Paw Licking Update
Status: Possibly Improved
Over the past several days, I’ve noticed what appears to be less paw licking, especially in the evenings. However, because multiple changes have been made recently, I can’t confidently attribute any improvement to a single factor.
At this point, I’m cautiously optimistic but continuing to monitor closely before declaring success.
Skin Changes I’ve Noticed
- No new redness or irritation
- Paw condition appears stable
- Skin color is lightning and his skin feels softer, no additional hair growth yet
- Continuing to monitor for any signs of improvement as we spend more time on the new food
What’s Changed Since the Last Update
Food Changes
- Discontinued the hydrolyzed diet after approximately 10 weeks
- Returned to raw feeding
- Transitioned from Primal to We Feed Raw
- Added 1/3 cup cooked white rice to help maintain calories and weight
Care Routine Changes
For the past 2–3 weeks, I’ve been:
- Washing Clifford’s paws after his final potty break each evening
- Drying them thoroughly
- Applying DOUXO S3 PYO Mousse
This new routine may also be contributing to the reduction in licking.
Weight Update
One positive development is that Clifford has regained the weight he lost when we initially switched to raw feeding. He is currently maintaining a healthy weight at 12.4 pounds.
What Happens Next
The plan is to keep everything consistent:
- Continue feeding We Feed Raw
- Continue adding rice daily
- Continue Hills Hypo Treats only
- Continue nightly paw washing and DOUXO S3 PYO Mousse application
- Avoid introducing any new foods, treats, or supplements
My goal is to give this routine several more weeks before evaluating whether we’re seeing a true improvement.
Notes / Considerations
- Clifford’s allergy testing showed sensitivities to brewer’s yeast.
- We Feed Raw does not contain yeast, which is one reason I selected it for this trial.
- Rice tested as a safe ingredient and was added to help meet his calorie requirements.
- Because the food change and paw-care routine change happened around the same time, it’s impossible to know which factor may be influencing his symptoms.
Follow Along on Clifford’s Journey
👉 Read the full journey:
- Week 0: What Clifford Is Eating
- Week 4 Update: Clifford’s Hydrolyzed Diet Trial
- Week 10 Update: Hydrolyzed Diet Results
- Week 16 Update: New Food, New Routine, Cautious Optimism
- Next Update: Coming Soon
This post is part of Clifford’s allergy and diet journey. I’m sharing our real experience in case it helps other dog parents going through something similar. 🐾