Dog Itching Remedies: Final Thoughts
Although a vet visit should be scheduled to rule out any major problems, skin irritation in your dog can be common due to a variety of reasons. If your pup suffers from seasonal allergies, dry skin, or regular itchiness, use one of these natural home remedies to provide them some relief and soothing comfort. You can try each of these out to find the most effective method, or you can combine a few of these anti-itch remedies for the best results.
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Home Remedies To Deal With Itchy Skin In Dogs
If you find your furry friend scratching constantly, it is not a good sign! In fact, itchy skin, medically known as pruritus, is one of the most common reasons dogs are taken to the vet.
People generally assume that nonstop scratching is a sign that their pet has fleas. Although this is often the case, there are several other reasons that may cause constant itching in dogs.
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How To Treat Dry Skin On Dogs
The home remedies listed above can provide quick relief for mild cases of itchy or dry skin. But it’s important to consult with your veterinarian if the problem persists or symptoms worsen. There are many potential causes of dry skin in dogs, and only a veterinarian can correctly diagnose the problem and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
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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
Signs Your Dog Has A Rash
Dog rashes on the belly are most common, where there’s not much hair and the skin is sensitive. Though a dog rash can show up in other places as well, such as the groin, armpits, ears, neck, and back. Rashes can appear suddenly and sometimes disappear just as quickly.
The typical signs of a rash in dogs include:
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Home Remedies For Dogs Skin Allergies
On a brighter note, most dog allergies arent life-threatening. Theyll often cause itching and rashes, but theres more than one dog irritated skin home remedy you can use to help your pet.
Dealing With Irritants
If your pup suddenly gets itchy, its best to investigate any recent changes in its life. Maybe you washed its bed with a new laundry detergent. Did the groomer use anew shampoo?Are you trying out a different dry dog food?
The possibilities are endless, so its best to think about your specific situation. Meanwhile, you might be wondering what can I put on my dog to relieve itching? Lets see.
Baking Soda for Itchy Dog
Baking soda is a chemical compound that can relieve your pups itchiness due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Just mix soda with water in equal amounts to form a thick paste. Then, spread it on your pups rash. Leave it for 20 minutes, and wash it away with lukewarm water.
But be careful. Your pooch shouldnt eat the paste, as itcan betoxic for dogs when ingested.
Coconut Oil
One of the many natural remedies for a dogs itchy skin is coconut oil. It can penetrate the skin to hydrate, improve elasticity, and soothe the itch. Also, the oil is anti-inflammatory, so the rash will likely heal faster.
Spread some coconut oil over your puppys inflamed patch two times a day for a few days, and your pet should be fine.
Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs Skin
Dont use apple cider vinegar on open wounds. It stings and will irritate the skin even more.
Administer An Epsom Salt Soak
Epsom salt will help to soothe your dogs itchy skin, as well as reduce the swelling caused by sores and any inflammation. Epsom salt will also help increase the recovery time of your dogs itchy skin, especially when it is combined with other home remedies.
Required Ingredients:
Process:
- Give your pup a warm bath and add one heaping cup of Epsom Salt.
- Make sure you place your dog in the bath and allow them to soak for at least five minutes before rinsing. This will help remove any dirt or residue that may be on their coat, giving it a nice shine!
- Repeat daily until your dog is no longer itchy.
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Steroid Spray Gels & Creams
Over-the-counter steroid preparations contain lower percentages of active ingredients than prescription steroids and may help reduce the itchiness of insect bites and allergic reactions. However, you should use steroid medication with caution as it may delay healing wounds and skin infections. Seek veterinary advice before using any steroid medication as it may interact with other medicines your dog may be taking or worsen his symptoms.
Home Remedies For Dogs In Pain
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Knowing that your dog is in pain is one of the worst feelings as a pet parent. Just like us, dogs can experience pain for a number of reasons. These include chronic conditions, illnesses, injuries, and infections.
While your veterinarian may provide prescription pain relievers, there are many ways you can manage your dogs pain at home. In this article, well explain how to identify pain in dogs and share eight home remedies to ease your pups discomfort.
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Administer Evening Primrose Oil
This essential oil is known for its anti-inflammatory and its anti-itch properties. You can apply evening primrose oil directly or give it to your dog orally. If you decide to give it to your dog orally, just a few drops mixed in with their food will do the trick. Otherwise, follow the steps below.
Required Ingredients:
- Apply a few drops of the evening primrose oil directly to your dogs skin.
- Repeat each day until their itching is gone.
Notes: Ingesting the evening primrose oil will also give your dog an immune boost.
Dog Itching: An Overview
Your dog may be itching because of a number of different conditions. The main reason, according to Dr. Amber Karwacki, partner doctor at Heart + Paw, is from an underlying allergy.
Dogs can be allergic to the environment, food, or fleas, she says. Secondary effects of these allergies including hot spots, yeast infections, and bacterial infections can make your dogs itching even worse.
Dogs may also experience itching due to mange, lice, or mites. Some itching can be behavioral and triggered by stress and anxiety, according to Dr. Karwacki.
Uncontrolled itching and scratching can cause redness, hair loss, flaking, bumps, and skin wounds, among other symptoms. To figure out what is causing your dog discomfort, its best to take him to the veterinarian.
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Is Your Dog Itching And Scratching
Its here!
The season of itchiness.
You know when your dog starts scratching, licking and chewing because its most likely keeping you up at night.
You hear that lick, lick, lick or scratch, lick, scratch, and its driving you both nuts!
There are many causes for excessive licking, chewing, and scratching, so we always recommend getting checked out by your veterinarian.
However, we are going to cover 5 ways you can safely provide your pet with more comfort.
Skin Issues Caused By Hormonal Disorders
Older dogs are more prone to some hormonal disorders, such as hypothyroidism and Cushings disease. These hormonal disorders can cause skin problems as well.
For example, dogs with hypothyroidism tend to have dry skin, recurring skin infections and hair loss. The skin infections can occur in multiple locations
Dogs with Cushings disease also tend to suffer from hair thinning or loss, skin thickening and discoloration.
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Topical Home Remedies For Dogs Itchy Skin
One of the quickest ways to reduce inflammation of the skin and itchiness is by use of herbal astringents.
Astringents work their magic by quickly tightening skin and subcutaneous tissue, and thereby reducing inflammation and redness. A classic example of such an astringent is witch hazel extract, which can be purchased in a clear liquid, distilled form at any drugstore. A dab or two of witch hazel applied by cotton ball can bring instant relief to angry flea or mosquito bites.
It is important to know that most commercial witch hazel extracts are made with isopropyl alcohol, a substance that is toxic if ingested in large enough amounts. This type of witch hazel should be reserved for uses where only a few dabs are needed . Better yet, look for witch hazel that is made with ethanol or vegetable glycerin, an edible coconut oil derivative that is used in natural soaps and cosmetics for its emollient, skin-soothing qualities.
Several choices of natural topical remedies are available at the pet supply store, too. For hot spots, irritations caused from a bandage or a rubbing collar, sunburned ears, or insect bites that are limited to just a few points on the body, you might try a spritz or two of Animal Apawthecarys FidoDerm Herbal Spray at the affected areas. FidoDerm contains aloe vera and calendula to help promote healing, along with a nontoxic assortment of antibacterial and antifungal essential oils.
Natural Remedies For Your Dogs Itchy Skin & Skin Allergies
Many natural remedies for skin issues are healthy and safe for dogs, and they can provide significant relief from skin irritation. However, be careful before using natural remedies. You might find some suggestions online like essential oils that can be dangerous for your dog if you do them without the guidance of your vet. Always check with your vet to get their recommendations for treating your dogs itchy skin, and make sure you treat underlying medical conditions if you need to. If there is no need for medical treatment, here are some home remedies that are completely safe and can help with itch relief.
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When To Call The Vet
If an established bacterial infection is evident , you need to call your veterinarian. If she happens to be holistic, she might consider the following regimen, which is used to boost immune system response to the infection while adding direct antibacterial intervention:
- Twice-daily internal doses of echinacea tincture, to boost the immune system, along with a twice-daily dose of Oregon grape tincture, to strengthen liver function and the bodys elimination of systemic waste materials and bacterial die-off.
- Twice-daily external applications of echinacea and Oregon grape .
As you see, symptomatic relief for your dogs itching may be at arms reach. Just keep in mind that chronic skin ailments are seldom skin-deep, and treating symptoms such as dry, itchy skin or hot spots with topical remedies alone will not amount to a curative therapy for deeper health issues. Most chronic skin issues are related to allergies, diet, or both. To find a lasting solution for your companion, talk to a holistic veterinarian who is familiar with issues of nutrition, allergies, and natural approaches to skin care.
Greg Tilford is a well-known expert in the field of veterinary herbalism. An international lecturer and teacher of veterinarians and pet owners alike, Greg has written four books on herbs, including All You Ever Wanted to Know About Herbs for Pets , which he coauthored with his wife, Mary.
Poison Ivy Poison Oak Or Exposure To Another Plant
Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac contain urushiol, an itch-inducing oily sap. Just a light brush against one of these plants can deposit the sap on a dog’s skin, most commonly on the belly, and cause a rash. Your individual dog may be allergic to certain plants as well, so it’s handy to know what’s growing where you most frequently go on walks or hikes so you can describe them to your vet.
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Simple Remedies For Your Dogs Skin Problems
Posted on by Burt’s – Medicine
Constant itching. Painful red patches. Dry skin. We often forget about our pups skin health, but it is very important. If these conditions sound familiar, try these 11 remedies for your dogs skin problems.
Despite having soft coats, dogs suffer from dry skin and skin-related issues nearly as commonly as humans suffer from them. In fact, the causes of dry skin are often the same across mankind and dogkind, too including weather changes, allergies, and even fungal infections.
Understanding healthy skin is essential to caring for your pup.
Prepare Your Dog For The Bath
Brush your dog out before you start the bath. Be sure to remove any tangles or mats as these are harder to deal with once your dog is wet. Then apply a strip of artificial tears ointment or a few drops of mineral oil to each eye. This will help protect the eyes from shampoo.
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Hydrogen Peroxide Baking Soda And Dishwashing Liquid For Deodorizing
Aside from the redness, swelling, sneezing, and other symptoms a skunk encounter can create for your dog, is the offensive smell. A de-skunking remedy Khuly suggests is a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dishwashing liquid, which she says works on skunked fur and everything the skunked fur has contact with. Mix four cups of hydrogen peroxide with one-third cup baking soda and a small squirt of dishwashing liquid, and apply it liberally to your pets coat, she says. Rinse well after about five minutes and repeat if necessary.
While its not the most glamorous topic, this solution also works well for stinky , Khuly says.
Ten Home Remedies For Treating Dogs Itchy Skin
Some itching may be remedied at home while others may require a thorough examination by a veterinarian. You should visit a veterinarian if the itching persists and if your canine friend has much trouble. A vet visit is a must if he develops wounds as a result of itching.
Your veterinarian will determine the major cause of the itching and prescribe you bathing products, over-the-counter medications, or prescriptions. However, if the itching is less severe, seasonal, or intermittent, you may be able to use a home remedy to give your canine friend some natural relief.
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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.
Addressing Anxiety Or Boredom
If youre concerned your dog is obsessively chewing or licking due to a behavioral concern, try to monitor when hes displaying this behavior. Is it when hes left alone at certain points in the day or when his environment is busy or unpredictable? To reduce the likelihood of boredom or anxiety, ensure that your dog receives enough exercise and attention. Also, is it possible to distract your dog from this behavior by interacting, playing training games, or providing a safe toy to chew on?
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