Final Thoughts On Dry Skin
Dry skin is a severe condition that can result in a serious infection if left untreated. Instead of assuming that it is harmless, why dont you take care of this problem with the above safe home remedies?
These natural treatments to fight dry skin can have your pup running around happily in no time. But make sure you turn your humidifier on whenever the humidity drops outside.
Cynthia Garcia is the editor and content creator at Pet Fashion Week. Shes a passionate pet rescue supporter and always looking for ways to help the community in her free time.
How To Choose The Best Dog Wash For Dry Skin
In best dog wash for dry skin, prior understanding of the product is always important. Other performance-related factors may be included in these findings. For this reason, we recommend that you evaluate the product’s price to its value before making a decision.
Only you can avoid wasting your important time by performing thorough research and comparisons. To help you save time, we’ve already done the research and comparisons. With the best dog wash for dry skin, you can get the performance you want in the quickest amount of time feasible, without sacrificing anything.
Chamomile And Green Tea Soaks
Chamomile and green teas are well-known for their soothing, anti-inflammatory effects in humansâbut they work just as well for dogs, too. If your dog is dealing with hot, itchy patches of skin, try giving it a soothing soak in a chamomile or green tea bath.
Here’s how to do it: Fill your bathtub or sink with lukewarm water and let several green-tea bags steep for three to five minutes. Then, remove the tea bags and let your dog soak in the mixture for at least five minutes. If you want to spot treat your dog’s skin, steep a tea bag and let it cool completely before applying the tea directly to affected areas.
Also Check: Can Roundup Cause Skin Cancer
What Are Some Home Remedies For Dry Skin On Dogs
There are many home remedies that can help relieve dry skin on dogs. Coconut oil, for example, is a natural moisturizer that can help soothe and protect your dog’s skin. You can apply coconut oil to your dog’s skin using a cotton ball or your hands.
Oatmeal is another natural remedy that can help relieve dry skin on dogs. Oatmeal contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe your dog’s skin. You can make an oatmeal bath for your dog by adding one cup of oatmeal to a tub of warm water. Let your dog soak in the tub for 15-20 minutes, then rinse them off with warm water.
If you are looking for a commercial product to help relieve dry skin on dogs, you may want to try a hypoallergenic dog shampoo. These shampoos are designed to be gentle on your dog’s skin and can help to moisturize and protect their skin.
What Are Some Causes Of Dry Skin In Dogs
The main cause of dog dry skin is a lack of skin moisture. Dog dry skin and low skin moisture can be the result of:
- Age. Dogs with age-related health problems such as kidney disease and diabetes tend to have more dry skin problems than younger dogs because their bodies dont produce as much oil to keep their skin healthy.
- Weather. Dry weather conditions also contribute to dry skin in dogs because they make it harder to sweat toxins from their bodies via paws and pants. This causes an increase in bacteria growth in exposed areas where the fur isnt present anymore , which can lead to skin infections.
- Environmental Factors. Extreme temperatures and low humidity can dry your dogs skin and make it appear flaky or scaly. Exposure to the sun or wind can dehydrate your dogs skin and make it appear scaly and cracked.
- Health Problems. Some of the most health issues causing dog dry skin are allergies , bacterial infections, fungal infections , hormonal imbalance %20is%20a,and%20can%20be%20life%2Dthreatening.” rel=”nofollow”> Cushings disease andhypothyroidism), and parasitic infestations .
Recommended Reading: Best Face Wash For Acne And Dry Skin
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.
Bacterial Or Fungal Infections
Skin infections, like ringworm or yeast overgrowth, can cause a ton of skin issues, including dry skin.
To diagnose your pup for bacterial or fungal infections, your vet might take skin scrapings for cytology . It sounds like it hurts, but this process will cause your dog only some discomfort at worst.
Some of these infections can be contagious to humans, so its super important to get your pup checked out by a vet ASAP to potentially prevent it from spreading to you or your family.
You May Like: Best Liquid Foundation For Combination Skin
Aafco Labeled Dog Food Brands
If you choose to continue feeding your dog cheap commercial dog food, your dog will probably continue to have dry skin. The AAFCO-approved diets labeled sensitive skin and healthy skin are probably better than the other supermarket diets, but then again, they might not help. AAFCO is a voluntary organization and cannot fully identify 100% of the ingredients. According to the AVMA, about 40% of foods tested contain proteins from animals that are not even listed on the label.
Give your dog a bath with a shampoo that will help moisturize the skin and relieve itching.
Treatment Of Dry Skin On Dogs
Once the cause of the dry skin is determined, you can begin a treatment plan for your dog. If the dry skin is because of an environmental reason, moisturizing shampoos and sprays, an increase in environmental humidity, a higher quality food and flea prevention may be necessary alongside supplements designed to improve skin moisture and health. Omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil, ceramides, and regular brushing may be recommended if no specific medication is needed. If your veterinarian finds an underlying disease or infection causing dry skin, medications, dietary changes, and other treatments may be recommended.
Don’t Miss: Patches Of Red Itchy Skin
How Can I Tell If My Itchy Dog Is Due To Dry Skin
Dry skin can often be itchy, so be on the lookout for your dog scratching and chewing at themselves more than usual. Dry skin will often flake, made worse by scratching, meaning that if you part your dogs coat you could see flakes of skin or dandruff. The skin may be covered in what looks like a rash of little pimples or, especially if the dog has been scratching at the spot for a while, scabs.
How To Make Colloidal Oatmeal
To make colloidal oatmeal, simply place some oats in a coffee grinder or high-speed blender and blend them until they become the finest powder possible.
Take a small amount of purified water and add the oatmeal powder, one pinch at a time, until the water becomes milky, but does not thicken.
Dab this water onto the dogs skin in areas where its irritated to help soothe the skin.
This is an excellent treatment for human skin, as well, and is found in many soothing skincare products that contain oatmeal.
Don’t Miss: How To Prevent Skin Cancer Naturally
Dogs With Dry Skin: Symptoms And Causes
Dry skin is itchy and uncomfortable, and can result in skin problems and potential infection when left untreated. If your dog has dry skin, you may notice one or more of the following symptoms emerge.
- Scratching, licking, and biting at the skin
- Rubbing body and/or head on floor and furniture
Skin conditions may seem like a small issue, but it can signal bigger health problems. Dry skin is hard to accurately diagnose without help because of the myriad causes that can contribute to this uncomfortable issue. Causes of skin dryness in canines include:
How Often Should I Bathe My Dog
Generally speaking, a healthy dog with a short, smooth coat and no skin problems doesnt need to be bathed often. In most cases, dog baths are more for the benefit of their pet parents than for the dogs themselves. Even so, its a good idea to bathe your pooch at least once every two to three months.
Recommended Reading: How Does Skin Cancer Spread
Keep An Eye Out For The Weather
This is both inside and outside for your pet. Dry skin can be made worse with low humidity. When the weather gets cold this winter it is not a bad idea to keep the dog inside as much is possible. The indoor weather can be just as dry, however. That is why investing in a humidifier is going to help your pet avoid problems with dry skin.
Final Thoughts What Can I Put On My Dog For Dry Skin
Dry skin may be an issue for some dogs, but that doesnt mean it cant be managed. With preventative care and nourishing home remedies like CBD dog shampoo, every pooch can feel like a million bucks.
Before making any major changes to your pets diet, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. They can determine whether your dog has any underlying conditions, breed quirks, or other complications.
Add coconut oil to your dogs food, make some oatmeal à la pooch, or try a little bit of each remedy until your furry friends dry skin is a thing of the past! Or if youre curious about more home remedies for dogs look here.
Recommended Reading: Best Vitamins For Hair And Skin
What Are The Symptoms Of Dry Skin In Dogs
The symptoms of dog dry skin are:
- Scaling, crusting or flaking on your dogs coat surface especially behind the ears or around his nose, mouth, and eyes
- Redness or irritation in affected areas
- Chewing their toes
- Dry patches that may bleed when scratched or picked at by your pet
- Flaky dandruff-like particles in the fur around your dogs neck, shoulders, armpits, and tail area
- Itchy skin may be more noticeable during certain seasons, such as summer.
Finn Allergy & Itch Supplement For Dogs
Image courtesy Finn
If your dog is struggling with allergies or itchiness, you want a solution that will ease their discomfort and help them heal. Finn’s Allergy & Itch Supplement for Dogs contains three clinically-researched ingredients colostrum, quercetin, and bee propolis that have been shown to be effective in alleviating allergies and itchiness in dogs. And because it’s natural, there are no harmful side effects associated with long-term use.
Recommended Reading: Why Does The Sun Cause Skin Cancer
Do Dogs Get Dog Dry Skin In Winter
Dog skin is very similar to human skin. Because of this, it can be difficult to keep moisturized in winter. This is largely a water bowl due to the fact that winter brings a more arid, cold, and dry wind which can lead to chapping on the skin underneath the immune system of your furry friends coat daily.
This can be made worse if they already struggle with food diet limitations or allergens, or if they spend an excessive amount of time outside.
Dry skin in the dry winter skin can affect dogs of a variety of dog breeds and sizes. While dry skin isnt inherently life-threatening, it can make your pup very uncomfortable – and lead to itching, inflammation, and even infection.
Causes Of Dry Skin In Dogs
Dry skin in dogs can be caused by:
- Allergies, sensitivities, or contact dermatitis
- Drying soaps or shampoos
- Failing to adequately rinse out soaps or shampoo
- Baths that are too frequent or too hot
- Dry weather or low humidity
- External parasites like fleas or mites
- Autoimmune disorders
- Underlying illnesses like Cushings disease or hypothyroidism
If the following remedies for your dogs dry skin fail to bring her relief, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to make sure there is not an underlying health issue contributing to the problem.
Don’t Miss: Face Moisturizer Best Moisturizer For Dry Skin
Natural Home Remedies For Itchy Dogs
Ditch the itch with these natural skin soothers
Jillian Dara is a fact checker for The Spruce Pets, reviewing articles about pet care and pet products for factual accuracy and consistency. She has more than five years of experience in lifestyle editing and media and has been published in a variety of prestigious outlets.
The Spruce / Ellen Lindner
Think of how miserable it is to have a persistent itch, whether from dry skin, a bug bite, or a rash. It’s hard to focus on anything other than the itch, and while scratching might provide momentary relief, it can ultimately make the itch even worse. Your dog feels just as miserable when an itch just won’t quit. Luckily, there are several home remedies to relieve your dog’s itchy skin.
Not every cause of itchiness requires a prescription medication or treatment. Colloidal oatmeal baths, fish oil, and baking soda are among the items you can use for home remedies. But though you can offer some relief and lessen the urge to scratch, it’s important that you eventually treat the underlying cause of a persistent or chronic itch, whether it’s an allergy, flea bites, or an autoimmune disorder.
Home Remedies For Dry Skin In Dogs
As long as your dog doesn’t have other signs of illness or discomfort, there are some remedies you can try at home to alleviate his dry skin without necessarily scheduling a vet visit.
-
Use a humidifier to resolve dry air in your home. Bonus: this will make your own dry skin feel better, too!
-
Start your dog on an omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplement to boost his skin and coat health. Supplements are not subject to the same level of regulation as medications, so not all supplements are equal. For the best results choose a product that has the National Animal Supplement Council Quality Seal or is recommended by your veterinarian.
-
Give him a bath with an oatmeal-based shampoo and rinse thoroughly. Oatmeal works as a colloid and is soothing to the skin.
-
Some people have also had success rubbing coconut oil onto their dogs’ coat and skin to help with dry skin.
If you find yourself needing to repeat any of these remedies frequently or if they don’t help, make an appointment with your veterinarian to make sure that something else isn’t going on with your dog’s skin.
Don’t Miss: Nature’s Bounty Advanced Hair Skin And Nails
Can I Put Olive Oil On My Dogs Fur
You can use olive oil to help condition your dogs fur by incorporating it into your its diet with a daily serving. It adds a sheen to any type of fur or coat and helps alleviate dry and itchy skin. Using olive oil is also can also be effective as a moisturizer, by applying it directly to your pets skin.
Give Your Dog Probiotics To Soothe Itchy Skin
You may be surprised to learn that your dogs skin problems may start in his gut. Those with celiac disease know very well how something in the gut can cause severe eczema.
The same can happen to your dog.
If your dog is struggling with a bacterial imbalance in the GI tract, probiotics may help to heal the gut and soothe skin inflammation over time.
Look for a refrigerated dog probiotic and give it according to the label directions.
Some probiotics are pills that need to be given in a pill pocket , and some are sprinkle-on or a paste that is mixed with food.
It can take several months to see improvement from the inside out, but if your dog is suffering from other signs of GI distress like diarrhea, constipation, or frequent vomiting, then a probiotic may be in order.
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Dry Skin Face
What Are The Symptoms Of Dry Skin On Dogs
Because there are several different causes of dry skin on dogs, there are also a range of symptoms. The first step is to be able to identify dry skin, says Wag! advisory board member and veterinarian Dr. Ann Eliopulos. Typically, these dogs will have a lackluster coat and flakes, which are dead skin cells that are sloughing off. A certain amount of flaking is normal, but excessive amounts and/or chronic flaking is not.
Other symptoms are more serious and often require a visit to the vet, says Dr. Gary Richter, a veterinarian with Rover.com. These symptoms include redness, which can indicate inflammation in the skin from an allergic or infectious cause crusting, which may indicate a fungal, bacterial, or parasitic infection itchiness, which could indicate parasites, allergies, bacterial, or fungal infections hair loss, which could indicate endocrine changes, autoimmune disorders that attack the skin and fur, parasites, or fungal infections or an odor, which is usually indicative of a yeast infection that is a common secondary infection with bacterial or other infections. In many of these cases, your vet will recommend effective prescription medications as a next step.