Is There A Lotion For Dogs Dry Skin
Dogs suffer from dry skin just like people do. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of lotion specifically made for dogs with dry skin. However, many commercial dog soaps and shampoos are formulated to help with this ailment. Some of the best remedies for dry skin in dogs include using a moisturizer or cream before baths, using a pet-safe sunblock, and providing plenty of fresh water and exercise.
Improve Nutrition And Bathing Routines
Dietary and shampoo changes may be necessary if the dry skin is a result of poor nutrition or drying shampoos. Excessive bathing should also be stopped to allow skin to retain its natural moisture if your attempts to keep your dog clean are a little overzealous. Simply improving nutrition and practicing better bathing routines can make a huge difference in increasing skin health.
Increase Vitamin E Intake
Vitamin E supplementation can also help improve skin health, which will allow the retention of moisture, explains Dr. Michelle Burch DVM from Safe Hounds Pet Insurance, who recommends speaking with your veterinarian on appropriate dosing for your dog. âToo high dosing can lead to an upset stomach in the short term and with possible damage to the red blood cells and liver in the long term,â warns Dr. Burch.
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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.
How To Treat Dry Skin On Dogs
Alycia Washington is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with nearly a decade of experience as a small animal emergency veterinarian. She currently works as a relief veterinarian for various emergency and specialty hospitals. Dr. Washington recognizes the importance of education and also works as a freelance veterinary writer.
Getty Images/Natee127
Just as their human owners often do, dogs struggle with dry skin. Dogs can develop dry skin due to a number of causes. Some of these causes are more serious than others but regardless of why dogs’ skin is dry, it’s never a comfortable feeling. Knowing why your dog has dry skin and how it is treated can help you get your dog the relief it wants and needs while also ensuring any serious causes are properly addressed.
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Ways To Treat Dry Skin In Dogs
Dogs are great to have around, but sometimes they get under the weather. It doesnt always have to be a major illness, but a condition that is irritating and annoying. That is the case with dry skin. Your four-legged amigo may develop a case of it and that can drive your pet half crazy. You need not sit and watch, but can do something about it. Here are a couple of ways to take care of the dry skin your dog may have.
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
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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 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 .
What Is Dry Skin
Dog skin is made up of layers and the outermost layer that we see is called the epidermis. This layer is responsible for holding in moisture, creating new skin cells, providing pigmentation to the skin, and other important functions. When the epidermis is inflamed or is not adequately holding in moisture, the skin becomes dry, cracked, and flaky.
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Pet Wellbeing Itch Support Gold
Image courtesy Pet Wellbeing
If your dog has itchy skin, you’re not aloneskin allergies are a common condition in canines. Itch Support Gold is a blend of nine herbal ingredients that can help relieve symptoms when dogs come into contact with an allergen. For some dogs, skin allergies are a constant condition, while for others they may be seasonal or occasional. If your dog is experiencing itchiness due to allergies, talk to your veterinarian about whether Itch Support Gold could be right for them.
Itch Support Gold is a drug-free solution that alleviates the physical sources of itchiness on the skin, including redness and discomfort. Drawing from traditional Chinese principles of medicine, Itch support targets imbalances to promote health rather than simply masking symptoms like many prescription drugs do. And because it’s natural, there are no harmful side effects associated with long-term use.
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:
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Use A Natural Skin Ointment
If your dog is suffering from severely dry skin, youll need something to help promote healing, provide deep moisture and protect the skin from getting worse. Using an organic, natural skin ointment will give your dog some much-needed relief from the discomfort and pain associated with dry skin. It will help reduce irritation, and redness and lessen your dogs urge to scratch, so the skin has a chance to heal. A skin ointment is great in the dry, winter months when your dog’s skin is more prone to cracking.
Some great soothing ingredients to look for in a skin ointment include organic olive oil, organic evening primrose oil, organic shea butter, organic sea buckthorn seed oil, and organic marigold oil. Adding a natural skin ointment to your dog’s skincare routine will always be beneficial and your pooch will definitely thank you for it!
Massage in an organic moisturizing skin ointment to your dog’s dry skin.
Dry Skin On Dogs: What Causes It And How To Treat It
Just like us, dogs can get dry and flaky skin. While sometimes the cause is a change in weather and low humidity, other times its a sign of a larger problem, like parasites.
An easy way to see if your dog is suffering from dry skin is to part his hair and look at the skin. Is it cracked, flaky, and does the slightest touch cause Fido to itch like crazy? If so, your dog has dry skin. The next step is to figure out the cause
Dry skin is a common cause of itching in dogs, but figuring out what is causing the dry skin can be a bit trickier. If your dog is suffering from dry and itchy skin, read on to see what could be causing it, symptoms, and how to treat it.
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Use A Flea And Tick Preventative
Fleas, ticks, and other parasites are a common cause of dry skin on your dog, so its essential to use a flea and tick preventative. Many flea and tick preventives can be toxic for your pet, such as flea collars, so always choose a safe and effective option.
Ideally, the best option is to minimize your dog’s contact with fleas and ticks, such as ensuring your yard is well maintained. If you do go walking in the bush a lot then always do a tick check each time you get home to try to catch them before they cause real damage.
Of course, natural prevention only goes so far, and sometimes you might need to use something stronger to ensure your dog doesn’t end up with an infestation. Always opt for natural preventatives, and when choosing sprays or oils look for the ones with the fewest ingredients to limit your dog’s exposure to anything toxic.
Ensure your dog is fed a balanced diet full of healthy fats and proteins.
Signs Of Dry Skin On Dogs
- Itching or scratching
- Increased oiliness
Just like when a person has dry skin, itching or scratching, and dandruff or flaky skin are commonly seen symptoms in dogs with dry skin. Scratching and licking dry skin may also lead to redness and hair loss from damage to the follicles. If the skin is irritated enough, scabs can form, an odor may develop, pimples may pop up, and the skin may become extra oily.
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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.
Use A Homemade Moisturizer
The problem with treating dry skin with cream is that dogs often lick it off. Pure coconut oil is the best option because it will still improve your dog’s coat quality even if he licks it off. If you want to try something else, oatmeal paste is an alternative moisturizer that will not affect your dog’s gastrointestinal system. Like oatmeal shampoo, the paste contains saponins that will clean the skin down to the pores. Here’s how to use oatmeal paste:
- Combine half oatmeal and half water
- Mix it up until it is thick
- Apply it and sit with your dog for about 15 minutes
- Remove it with clean tap water
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Home Remedies For Dry Skin On Dogs
If your dogs dry skin persists and nothing seems to work, it might be time to give natural remedies a chance. You most likely already have these holistic and all-natural solutions in your home waiting to be used on your dog. Unlike common over-the-counter solutions that might do more harm than good, these home remedies for your dog can be the difference between dry skin and healthy skin.
Here are some all-natural home remedies you can use for your dogs dry skin.
Buddy Wash Lavender Dog Shampoo
Image courtesy Chewy
Buddy Wash is a dog shampoo that is perfect for dogs with dry skin. This product contains lavender, which is known for its soothing properties. Buddy Wash also contains jojoba oil and aloe vera, both of which are great for moisturizing the skin.
To use Buddy Wash, wet your dog’s fur and massage the shampoo into their coat. Rinse thoroughly and repeat as necessary. You can use Buddy Wash as often as you need to, but we recommend using it at least once a week.
Buddy Wash is safe for dogs of all ages and breeds. It is also pH-balanced and hypoallergenic. This product is made in the USA and it is cruelty-free.
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Treating Dry Skin On Dogs
Treatment of your dogs dry skin depends on the cause, so the first step is a diagnosis. While the Internet is full of valuable resources about canine health, consulting your veterinarian is the best way to determine the cause of your dogs skin problems.
In some cases, dry skin might be a symptom of a larger cause, in which case your vet will treat both the dry skin and the condition. Demadex mange is often associated with Cushings disease, which means your vet will need to treat both the mange and Cushings. Treatments and testing for these diseases vary, but most can be controlled with medication.
Treating allergies that cause dry skin on dogs can get tricky. For canine food allergies, your veterinarian might prescribe an elimination diet, as there is no reliable diagnostic test for diagnosing food allergens. The most common ingredients that cause food allergies in dogs are beef, soy, corn, wheat, dairy, chicken, and eggs.
Environmental allergies can be tested for, but there is no cure. The three common treatment options for allergies are:
- avoidance of the allergen
- immunotherapy options, such as allergy shots
Usually, veterinarians use a combination of these treatment options to control canine allergies.
Choosing The Right Food For A Healthy Puppy Skin
The kind of food you feed your puppy can impact the health of their coat and skin. If youre looking for a complete dog food thats clinically proven to support healthy skin, consider PURINA® PRO PLAN® Dog Puppy Sensitive Skin with OPTIDERMA®. This diet has been specifically created to help puppies with skin issues.
Each bowl helps reduce possible skin discomfort associated with food sensitivity thanks to selected source of protein and the inclusion of skin-targeting nutrients such as zinc, essential fatty acids and vitamins A, E, and B.
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Caring And Future Preventative Maintenance
CBD shampoo, like the one we have for sale in our Holistapet shop, is a great way to give your dog CBD during their regular care. Not only will your doggy feel fresh and clean, but theyll also benefit from CBDs many wellness properties. In addition to CBD shampoo, there are several other ways you can give your dog CBD, which well get into later.