The Big Picture Of Home Remedies For Itchy Dogs
We all want our dogs to be happy, and nothing is worse than seeing our pup miserable with a problem we cant solve. If the sound of constant scratching is keeping you up at night, its time to take action to relieve Fidos itch.
Luckily, many of the most effective home remedies itchy dogs love can be found in your home right now. With some simple steps, you can help relieve your dogs itch so he or she can get back to their happy, playful self.
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Why Is My Dog So Itchy
Itchy skin is medically known as pruritis. It is a symptom rather than a medical condition itself, with many possible causes. Here are some of the causes of itchy skin in dogs:
- Immune-mediated disease
Only a veterinarian can diagnose your dogs skin complaint and prescribe appropriate treatment. The good news is that there are things you can do at home too, to help keep your dogs skin and coat healthy.
Chamomile Or Green Tea
Chamomile or Green tea is one of the best dog dry skin home remedy options, and many pet owners have it right in their kitchen cupboards.
Steep the tea bag in about 8 ounces of water and allow it to cool.
You can apply the wet bag directly to the affected area or use a cotton ball to apply the tea to the hot spot.
Apply it 3-4 times per day until the affected area has healed completely.
You can also give your Fido a bath in chamomile or green tea. Steep 6-8 tea bags in a bathtub filled with about 6 inches of warm water.
Bathe your pet following the same instructions I listed in the colloidal oatmeal section above.
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Use Apple Cider Vinegar
Did you know that apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties that are good for your dog’s skin? It’s another natural home remedy that you might try for your dog’s allergies. It can be used as a rinse for your dog’s paws a common hot spot for allergic reactions or it can be applied topically. Some dog owners put diluted apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle in order to make application easier.
Apple cider vinegar can also be included in your pet’s diet, although you’ll want to dilute it with water. Ask your vet before feeding your dog apple cider vinegar in this way to make sure you get the mixture right.
Signs And Symptoms Of Itchy Skin In Dogs
Irrespective of the cause, dogs suffering from an itchy skin exhibit certain signs and symptoms. Some of these signs are:
- Nonstop scratching
- Rubbing against furniture or carpeting to stop the itching
- Development of hot spots and sores
Constant itching and scratching can lead to:
- Severe skin infections
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While the medications above are all sold under commercial names, not all dogs can tolerate these drugs in the form they are sold. Some dogs struggle to swallow pills or require a different strength than the brand name comes in. Other dogs are allergic to specific ingredients in the medication itself. If thats the case with your dog, talk with your vet about compound medication: these are drugs that use the same active ingredients as the brand name, but are specifically prepared by your vet or an online pharmacy to meet your pups unique needs.
Two other points to keep in mind: Never start any medication without the recommendation of your veterinarian and never use your other pets medications on your dog. This may cause secondary side effects, says Dr. Lee.
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Dealing With Environmental Irritants
Your dog might be having some kind of reaction to irritants in their environment from their food to the outdoors. Whatever the cause, you can help ease your dogs uncomfortable itch.
Some signs of environmental irritation include itching, red or swollen skin, sneezing, itchy ears and eyes, intestinal issues, and ear infections.14
- Irritants in your dogs food could cause itchy skin. Some less irritating ingredients include fish and sweet potatoes. In fact, these foods may be able to help calm your dogs skin if theyre feeling uncomfortable.15
- Your dogs skin might become more sensitive to their outdoor environment during the spring and summer. A bath will give short-term relief by washing off irritating pollen and dust. For long-term relief, youll need to talk to your vet.16
- Keep your pup away from the things that cause them irritation. To find what these things are before your dog gets uncomfortable, you can contact your vet to test your dog and find out what kinds of things could cause your dog irritation.17,18
If your pup suffers from environmental irritation, these steps can help them feel better. Aim to soothe your dogs itchy skin while also working with a vet to learn more about the potential root causes for your dogs discomfort.
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Give Him An Oatmeal Bath
Yes, oatmeal.
For dog itchy skin, one of the first things to try is oatmeal.
The reason for that is due to oatmeal being very naturally soothing on the dog’s skin and coat, and it’s also easy to find. Simply prepare a slightly warm bath for your pet using oatmeal.
You can use regular oatmeal from the grocery and grind it up at home, or buy oatmeal specifically designed for bathing.
Either way, pour the oatmeal into the tub and then let your dog soak for a bit. It’ll be an instant relief for your dog’s itchy skin.
If you need more convenience, try using an oatmeal dog shampoo, or even an effective pet conditioner for dogs.
This is also a good choice for dogs with chronic itching problems.
Using oatmeal-based products not only provides your pup with relief, but it also helps you know you aren’t using something they may have a reaction to.
Alternatively, you can also make your own homemade dog shampoo.
It’s pretty simple and many owners choose to do it themselves.
It saves you a little money you also know what type of ingredients you’re putting there, and that they’re safe for your canine.
However, other commercially made dog shampoos that are safe, organic, and natural may be a better option since they also use specific ingredients to treat itchiness and dry skin problems in dogs.
Make sure you know which type of dog shampoo your pet needs.
Apple Cider Vinegar & Water Spray
One of the best, apple cider vinegar pretty much helps heal all. When using on your dogs skin make sure you use a half and half blend of vinegar and water. Vinegar is most helpful for yeast dermatitis and less effective for bacterial skin infections, however, it can help in either situation.
Vinegar is very strong and you might want to use more water depending on how you feel. Spray bottles are a great way to apply the solution as an anti-itch for dogs.
Generously spray on the solution without drenching your dog. Next, gently massage the solution onto the skin. Avoid using this spray on any open cuts or wounds. If your dogs paws need the treatment, be sure to soak them in the solution for at least 5 min to be effective. Apple cider anti-itch spray works well for dry itchy skin or poison oak.
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Home Remedies For Fleas On Dogs
Home remedies are not as effective for fleas as proper flea treatments, so dont skip that first. But you can try some additional remedies to make doubly sure! Rub a little bit of lemon juice on your pets fur and these annoying little insects might have a change of heart and go find another host to bother. Another good home remedy for dog fleas is apple cider vinegar. Mix it with water and apply it to your dogs fur. Whether you choose lemon or vinegar, make sure it doesnt get into your dogs eyes and keep it away from any scratches or wounds.
Oils For Flea Prevention
If you are reluctant to use conventional flea prevention products, you might have looked into natural options. There are a lot of recipes out theresome good, some bad, Morgan says. Essential oils can be very effective, she says, but must be diluted so they do not cause harm to the animal.
Morgan likes coconut oil, which you can either give your dog orally or apply externally on his coat. The higher the lauric acid content in the oil, the more effective it will be, she says. Many inferior coconut oils have very low lauric acid content. Coconut oil can also be used as a carrier oil for essential oils.
After using a dog flea comb daily to help remove fleas from a dogs coat, Integrative Veterinarian Dr. Carol Osborne recommends bathing your canine companion with a natural pet flea shampoo. Start, for example, with a pint of organic oatmeal shampoo, and then add two tablespoons of either neem or tea tree oil, shake well and begin bathing. Pets may be bathed weekly or as needed. Keep in mind that improper dilutions of tea tree oil and other essential oils can be toxic for pets, so consult with your veterinarian first. And while natural options like these may help repel fleas, they are unlikely to solve a full-blown infestation on their own.
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Home Remedies For Dogs Should Never Replace A Visit To The Vet
If your dog is poorly, you should call your vet straight away. Even mild symptoms can hide big problems, so its better to rule out any serious concerns as soon as possible. Many teas, oils and tinctures have built a reputation over the years as being beneficial to our furry friends, but its always best to check with the vet before using them.
They could prove to be the solution youve been looking for or they could do more harm than good. Your vet will be able to point you in the right direction.
Why Is My Puppy So Itchy
If the dog experiencing severe itchiness is still a puppy and you have already ruled out any potential causes like diet and environment, you should visit a licensed veterinary dermatologist as soon as possible.
A veterinary dermatologist can run tests that general practitioners do not have the ability or equipment to handle in-house. Additionally, you have a better chance of getting to the bottom of your dog’s itchiness faster with a specialist who can quickly recognize the root of the problem, whether it be food allergies, air quality, other environmental causes, or even psychological or behavioral issues.
The itchy dog home remedies noted above are safe for most dogs and skin issues. However, you should always consult your veterinarian before using any of these treatments on your pet. A proper diagnosis is key to providing the most effective treatment for your dogs itchy skin.
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The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes only and should not serve as a substitute for the professional medical advice of a licensed veterinarian. Always consult your vet with any questions about your pets health before initiating any treatment regimes.
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Chamomile Tea & Herbal Tea Soaks
Chamomile tea & Herbal Tea soaks are a natural anti-inflammatory for dogs skin, and when chilled in the refrigerator, can alleviate any minor skin irritations when sprayed on sensitive, itchy spots. The chilled tea kills yeast and bacteria on the skin and relieves inflammation. When my itchy dog starts gnawing on her paws, I like to either spray them with the chamomile or just have her soak her paws in a small tub of the cold tea. Warm chamomile tea bags can soothe itchy, irritated eyes for both you and your dog.
You can also try green tea and calendula. Read more about preparing foot baths
My Dog Has Itchy Skin: Closing Words
In conclusion, we have to recognize that dog itchy skin is common all dogs scratch at some point, it’s part of being a pup.
But if your pet is excessively itching and biting his skin and fur, it may be time to find some effective solutions to deal with this.
The above mentioned methods are likely to help 99% of dogs to relieve itchiness and feel more like their usual self.
If none of the above solutions worked, or if your pet’s condition worsens, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
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Tick And Flea Medication
ExpressVet
Available as topical or oral medications, these combination drugs work by killing adult ticks and fleas and preventing eggs from hatching. Your dog and every pet in the household should be on year-round flea and tick medication, says Dr. Lee. Options include NexGard , Simparica and Credelio , among others. Talk with your vet about whats right for your dog.
When Does An Itch Need More Attention
Its normal behavior for dogs to scratch, rub their bodies against objects, or shake their head from time to time. However, if this becomes excessive, it could signify a skin condition caused by fleas or other parasites, bacterial or yeast infections, or even an allergy.
If your dogs itching is disturbing his normal routine, or you notice one of the following symptoms, then you should seek veterinary advice.
- Regular licking, chewing, biting, or scratching the same part of the body
- Regular scooting
- Patches of red skin, darker skin, sores, or scabs
- Hair loss, bald spots, or thinning of the fur due to scratching
- Poor sleep or less interaction/playing due to itching
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Diy Home Remedies For Dry Itchy Skin
May 05, 20213 min read
Dry, itchy skin can leave your dog feeling miserable and you going crazy over your dogs incessant scratching. All this scratching can be unbearable to watch and give you the itches.
To remedy the situation, try these easy, safe and natural remedies to soothe dry, itchy skin and give your dog some relief.
1. Vinegar & Water
Vinegar and water is a great option for DIY itchy skin relief. Calm the itch by mixing a solution of half vinegar and half cold water in a spray bottle. Then, spray the affected areas as needed. This works well on dry, itchy skin or poison ivy but do NOT use on open cuts or raw skin. Vinegar has antifungal properties and is effective in killing bacteria and microbes.
2. Oatmeal
Another home remedy for an itchy dog is to put a half cup of oatmeal in a quart of water, bring to a boil, strain, and let it cool to room temperature. Pat the mixture on the itchy spots and let dry.
Alternatively, you can draw a warm bath and sprinkle in raw oats. Let your pet sit in the water for ten to fifteen minutes.
3. Olive Oil & Lavender
Oils can be used as a home remedy for dry, itchy skin. Mix ½ cup of olive oil with ½ teaspoon of lavender essential oil. Dip a cotton ball in the oil mixture and rub on the itchy areas.
You can also add a little bit of olive oil to your dogs food. One tablespoon of olive oil a few times a week should help your dogs skin and coat. Omega-3 fatty acids are great for getting rid of dry skin.
4. Fish Oil
Directly Apply Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a home remedy cure-all. In the case of herbal remedies, apple cider vinegar works in multiple ways. It can soothe your dogs skin as well as fight against any bacteria that could be causing the itch.
Required Ingredients:
- Mix 50/50 of the water and the apple cider vinegar into the spray bottle.
- Shake gently to combine and spray directly onto the affected areas of your dog.
- Repeat twice per day until your dog is no longer itchy.
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Why Is Your Dog Itchy
Scratching can lead to inflammation and skin wounding, resulting in infections. But before you can provide itch relief for your dogs, you should learn the reasons behind the issue.
Dog allergies are more common than we think. At least 20% of doggies have an allergy from pollen to food, shampoo, and even anti-flea meds. They require special treatment or might need a good limited ingredient dog food.
But what else can cause itching in dogs? Here are the main culprits:
- Nuts and dairy products
What Causes Pruritus In Dogs
The most common cause of pruritic allergic skin disease in dogs is canine atopic dermatitis . Approximately 10% of dogs in developed countries suffer from this condition in their lifetime, with the most notable allergens in cAD thought to be house dust mites, storage mites, pollen, and mold spores . Keeping this in mind, cAD is often seasonal, with occurrence and severity caused by an interplay of genetic and environmental factors . Breeds most likely to develop cAD include Labrador and Golden Retrievers, English Springer Spaniels, Hungarian Vizslas, Basset hounds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Boxers, Chinese Shar-Pei, West Highland White Terriers, Bull Terriers, French Bulldogs, Bichon Frises, and Tibetan Terriers . Parasitic dermatitis may occur as a result of the bite, infestation, or saliva of mites, fleas, ticks, or lice . It is important to note that chronic, year-round presentations of pruritus may suggest an environmental allergy and/or food allergy .
For any dog parent, identifying symptoms of pruritus is useful and can help your veterinarian identify the cause of your dogs itching. Symptoms include:
-
Excessive licking
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