Natural Treatments & Management Of Your Dogs Itchy Skin
Some reasons behind your dogs skin itching with irritation can be more severe than others. In these cases, youll want to try everything you can to keep your dog from scratching. The vet might recommend medication, which can be very effective in many cases. However, there are many owners who do not want to use traditional medications. So what can you give your dog for itchy skin as a natural home remedy?
Luckily for us, there are many natural remedies that can help provide relief to your dogs skin condition. If your dog is not on any medications then we suggest that when beginning any of these remedies to start out by applying a minuscule amount to confirm there are no negative reactions. Once you are positive there are no adverse reactions you can increase the dosage size properly.
If a dog is taking an everyday prescription for itchiness their body may get used to it. It may become less effective. Instead of solely relying on prescription medications, you can try at-home remedies. They can help speed up your companions recovery.
All of these treatments are organic and safe to use. However, if your dog is on a medication, check with your vet to see if its okay to use any of these natural remedies simultaneously.
Administer A Eucalyptus Conditioner
Eucalyptus is a wonderful moisturizer and skin soother. Eucalyptus will help to calm the itchy and irritated skin and promote the growth of healthier skin and hair. In addition, Eucalyptus will also kill and repel fleas.
Required Ingredients:
- Bring the water to a boil and add the Eucalyptus.
- Boil, covered, for ten minutes before removing from the heat and allowing to cool.
- Once cooled, place your dog in a bath and pour the Eucalyptus water all over your dog as their final bath rinse.
- Gently rub into your dogs skin and fur.
- Remove your dog from the bath and gently dry your dog, leaving the Eucalyptus conditioner on their skin and fur.
- Repeat every other day until your dog is no longer itchy.
My Dog Is Itching Should I Be Worried
You should be proactive.
Give your dog a good check over. You might be able to see the cause of the itch, and best-case scenario: Its a quick and easy home-remedy fix.
You should monitor your dog closely and do your research. The more you know about the potential causes for your dogs itchiness, the better the chances that you will know when you need to be proactive and take them to the vet.
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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.
Contents
Symptoms Of Dog Allergies
Before you set about treating your dog’s allergies at home, you need to know what those allergies might look like. It’s possible that your dog’s issue is caused by a skin condition like eczema or a yeast infection, rather than an allergy, so you’ll want to be aware of allergy symptoms and get a definitive diagnosis before trying any home remedies.
While allergy symptoms can vary depending on the allergen and the dog, there are some common signs. They include:
- Itchy skin and associated scratching
- Dry skin or scaly skin
- Scabbing on the skin
If you see symptoms like these, the best course of action is to call your veterinarian. They can run tests and examine your pet to confirm an allergy. From there, you can work together to come up with a treatment or management plan.
Some dogs have severe allergies that can only be managed with medication, such as an antihistamine like benadryl. For others, DIY home remedies can make a big difference.
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How Long Does It Take For Pet Skin Allergies To Go Away
In most cases, there is no cure for allergies, but treatments can help to manage the condition over time. Immunotherapy is a great option for long-term conditions, but it can take approximately 6-8 months to begin seeing the effects.
Most allergy-related conditions will clear up with the identification of the cause of the allergy, and prescription of appropriate treatment.
Itchy Dogs And Their Allergies
An itchy skin can be caused by a long list of allergens. The process of finding the allergen triggering your dogs skin allergies can be a tedious one. Especially if you are not willing or able to fork out the money for allergy testing.
One of the best ways to find the trigger is by removing as many potential allergens as possible. Then slowly add them back one by one, until you find the culprit.
Atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis are the banes of many a dogs existence. They start with a small itch but have dogs scratching themselves raw and bloody over time. Your vet should be able to talk you through these skin allergies though!
These are some of the more common triggers:
- Perfumes or other sprays
- Cleaning products
Food allergies are also a common cause of an itchy skin. Your dog could be allergic to any number of ingredients in his food, so ask your vet for advice on diets for dogs who are sensitive to food.
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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
When To Go To The Vet
Sometimes you cant treat dog allergies at home, which is when you should take your pet to the vet. It can happen if the reaction is severe and/or persistent. If your dog is starting to choke and has difficulty breathing call your vet immediately.
Other symptoms that might require your vets attention include:
- Yeast infections These are characterized by a repulsive, foughty smell.
- Wounds If your pets scratched itself and created a wound, its best if your vet gives you a prescription topical to avoid infections.
- Scratching for more than a week If none of the dog itching remedies is helping and the scratching continues, that might be a sign of a more severe condition like an autoimmune disease.
- Hairfall It might be a sign of an immune system problem.
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Help Combat Your Dogs Allergies & Itching With The Honest Kitchens Human
If you want to relieve your dog’s itching and diet changes are on your radar, The Honest Kitchen can help. The Honest Kitchen has human-grade food that is free from fillers and unsafe ingredients that could lead to allergic reactions for many dogs. Use this food in conjunction with other natural treatments for your dogs skin issues to give your dog some relief from uncomfortable itching. Shop our line of natural dog food today to find a flavor combination your dog is sure to love.
Why Is My Dog Lethargic
Unfortunately, lethargy is very common, especially in older dogs. It can be caused by something as simple as old age, or it could indicate a more serious medical condition. The cause may not be immediately obvious, especially if this is the first time your dog is exhibiting lethargy.If your dog is lethargic, monitor them, and if they start to deteriorate or show worsening symptoms, make an appointment with your vet. They’ll likely ask about your dog’s recent diet, behavior, and health. Take note of your dog’s appetite and activity levels the days leading up to and the day of the appointment.
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Directly Apply Baking Soda
Baking soda will help instantly soothe your dogs itchiness. It can be applied directly, as noted below, or you can add one heaping cup of it to your dogs bath should your dog be itchy all over.
Required Ingredients:
Process:
- Combine 50/50 of the baking soda and the water to create a paste. It should be thick, so add more baking soda or water as needed.
- Directly apply the paste to your dogs affected areas and gently rub it in.
- Allow the paste to remain on your dogs skin for 20 minutes before rinsing.
- Repeat each day until your dog is no longer itchy.
When Should You Go To The Vet
Since your dog’s paws will come in direct contact with walking surfaces daily, it’s normal for them to experience dryness or some cracking, especially as they get older, and their paws get more mileage on them. If you notice that one or more of their paws has started bleeding or is causing pain, you should have your vet take a look to make sure it is nothing more serious or the result of an injury. In some cases, dry and cracked paws can also be a skin condition known as Hyperkeratosis. A situation when the skin is thickened on each of the pads, making them prone to cracking. Unlike dry paws we’ve been talking about, this condition can be from immune or metabolic diseases, parasitic, or fungus. When it’s severe, you will need to see your vet and have the excess dry skin trimmed off.Because dogs can’t verbally tell us exactly what’s wrong, we can only work with the symptoms we see. If you’ve tried home remedies and you’re still concerned, or you think it might be something serious, it’s always best to go the safe route and talk to your vet about your dog’s dry paws.
We hope this information helps your pet family live a more natural life. We believe in great content and word of mouth, not intrusive ads and popups. If you feel the same way, you can find our products here.
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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.
Natural Remedies To Help Your Itchy Dog
Pet Health and Safety Maggie Dean Mar 02, 2022
You know the sounds–theyve kept you up at night. The scratching, the licking, the chewing. Your dog is itching like crazy and its driving you both up the walls! Chronic or severe itching and scratching in dogs can have many causes. Whether you’ve been asking yourself, “Why is my dog so itchy?” for a few days or for a few weeks, it’s time to get some answers. That’s why we created this list of natural remedies for itchy dogs!
Before you check out the list, keep in mind that some dogs may require a checkup by a licensed veterinarian for severe itching issues. If the itching your dog is experiencing has been ongoing or if your dog is developing self-inflicted wounds due to itching, it’s time to visit the vet!
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Coconut Oil For Itchy Dogs
If you have been asking yourself, “What can I give my dog for itchy skin if nothing else is working?” then coconut oil may just be the perfect remedy for your pup. Its high viscosity immediately soothes, while its other components help to calm the skin right away.
- The best oils for dogs are those that offer the kind of viscous protection needed to create a natural barrier between angry skin and the environment. For this reason, coconut oil is among the best oils for canine skin, which is why so many products for pups use it as a key ingredient.
- Many natural beauty products now contain coconut oil because of its antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is also an excellent moisturizer for canines, as the oils can penetrate fur for direct contact with the skin. Dogs who are suffering from eczema, allergies, yeast infections, and even insect bites and stings can all benefit from direct application of coconut oil.
- Put coconut oil in the fridge or a cool, dry place so it turns completely solid. For quick relief to dry skin, massage the oil into the coat and on the skin of your dog. Over time, you’ll notice your dogs coat improving, along with relief from constant itching!
Why Your Dog Is So Itchy: Allergies
Another common cause of itchy skin is allergies, which may make your dogâs skin dry, greasy, or slightly dry and oily it may be accompanied by frequent scratching, paw licking, or chewing. We are seeing significantly more cases of allergic dogs than we have in the past, and many veterinarians believe that we are experiencing an âallergy epidemic.â The reason is unclear, but some theories are the aggressive vaccination protocols that many dogs have been subjected to, poor breeding practices, and the feeding of processed pet foods.
Whatever the cause, allergies are difficult to address. In the worst cases, afflicted dogs require strong pharmaceuticals just to get some relief. Though allergies are rarely cured, early identification and intervention can keep them under control, and in some cases, can substantially diminish them.
Clinical research has shown that one important way to reduce the likelihood that dogs will develop allergies is to give them high-potency cultures of beneficial probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus bifidus when they are very young. Probiotics are relatively inexpensive, absolutely safe to use, and can save both dog and pet parent tons of grief â and visits to the vet â later in life.
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Bathe Your Dog With Ground Oatmeal
An oatmeal bath is often recommended for anyone with itchy and dry skin. The same goes for dogs. Oatmeal is a very gentle way to soothe the itchy and dry skin while at the same time providing much-needed moisture.
Required Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups of unflavored oats
Process:
- Draw a warm bath for your dog and add the oats.
- Place your dog in the bath and allow them to soak in the oatmeal bath for at least five minutes.
- Rinse away the oats from their fur, but do not over-rinse.
- Repeat once daily while your dog has itchy skin.
Best Cbd Products For Your Dogs Itchy Skin
There are many ways you can relieve your dog of excessive itchiness without expensive vet visits and medications. All of the remedies above are organic and natural, many of which you may already have at home. If your dog is having itchy skin or is suffering from skin ailments, these remedies can greatly help. Not to mention, that these natural remedies for dogs with itchy skin can help maintain health now and prevent issues later. Find more info here.
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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.
How To Treat Your Dogs Itchy Skin
When you notice these changes to your dogs skin, it can be tempting to try an over-the-counter treatment or home remedy. However, using an OTC or at-home solution may not relieve your dogs allergic itch. The following treatment options are commonly available and may offer some allergic itch relief but maynot be the best option for your dog.
- Over-the-counter shampoos and oils. Treatments like coconut oil and itch-relief shampoos only provide temporary relief. Signs of allergic itch may come back because the root cause has not been addressed.
- Antihistamines. While studies have shown that antihistamines may relieve allergies in humans well, antihistamines are less helpful in relieving allergic itch in many dogs, according to a 2016 study on the effects of cetirizine in dogs with atopic dermatitis. In fact, it has been shown that antihistamines may have little to no effect in relieving the allergic itch of many dogs, per the guidelines of the International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals .
- Prescription steroids.Steroids prescribed by a veterinarian can be effective in reducing allergic dog itch, but they may cause side effects in your furry friend. Dogs on prescription steroids often experience increased urination, thirst, and weight gain, as explained in Kirks Current Veterinary Therapy XV. They can also experience behavior shifts, such as increased aggression as seen in a 2015 study on dog behavior when taking corticosteroids.
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