How to help your itchy dog? 9 Tips!

Medically reviewed by Dr. Catherine Nicolaou, DVM.

Is your dog suffering from itches?

Any dog irrespective of the breed or size may have itchy woes. Skin conditions are the foremost reason people bring their dogs in for veterinary care.

From bad odor to itchy skin, many of your dog’s hygiene-related issues can be simply solved by – bathing, brushing and a balanced diet.  But then bathing your dog can be quite an arduous task. Isn’t it?

In this blog post, we explore how to help your itchy dog with much-needed healing relief.

Why is your dog itching?

The first thing to remember here is that – Itching is a symptom, not a disease!

There are hundreds of recognized skin disorders in dogs. Your dog may have any of the underlying conditions that are causing him to scratch himself.  Having said that it is always advisable to seek an expert opinion from the vet since it could also be something far from lethal like cancerous skin tumours.

1. Allergy – One of the major causes of itching in dogs can be allergy due to parasites (ticks or fleas), environmental allergens (such as pollens, grasses or plants), chemicals used to cleanse homes) or food allergies caused due to some new foods or treats.

2. Skin infections – Like humans, dogs too can suffer from eczema or Fungal irritants like ringworm.

3. Hot spot – Is your dog constantly trying to lick or scratch his skin? This red inflamed skin lesion or acute moist dermatitis is commonly called a hot spot. Consult your vet for antibiotics or a medical recovery collar to prevent your dog from trying to lick or scratch it.

4. Diet – An unbalanced diet may cause dry flaky patches in your dog’s skin.

5. Climatic changes – A lack of moisture in the air can lead to dry skin and repetitive scratching.

 How to help your itchy dog?

Himalaya Fresh Coat – In case your dog is sick or if you are unable to shampoo your dog regularly, try a no-rinse spray. It not only helps pets look good but also smell great! This hassle-free way of naturally cleaning, deodorizing, conditioning and detangling your pet’s coat also comes in handy if you care for stray dogs and can’t always provide them with a full-fledged bath.

 1. Access to clean drinking water – Whether you are a dog or a human, water helps wash away impurities from the system. Ensure that your pet has access to drinking water all through the day.

2. Coconut oil has some antimicrobial activity in lab tests, but there is little good evidence in dogs that it heals hot spots, abrasions or cracked paws. A thin layer can soften dry skin. Keep it off broken skin and hot spots, and ask your vet first.

3. Bathing – Normally dogs need a bath once every three months. If you bathe your dog too often it could rob his skin of vital natural oils and may cause itching. You may alternatively try Himalaya Fresh coat.

An oatmeal bath can also provide some much-needed relief to your itching dog.

4. Neem oil – Like coconut oil, Neem too has powerful antibacterial properties. You may massage a diluted mixture of neem oil into your dog’s skin irritations to help reduce the itch and keep the fleas and ticks away. You may also use Erina EP shampoo that has the goodness of neem.

See Also: How to keep your dog safe from Mosquitoes? 

5. Vitamin E – Great for the skin, Vitamin E is usually given by mouth, not on the skin. Vet research on itchy skin looks at oral supplements, and vitamin E oil on the skin can irritate, so ask your vet about a dose.

6. Yoghurt – Plain yoghurt can be a small treat for dogs that handle dairy well, but there is no good evidence that it treats or prevents yeast infections. A dog with a yeast infection needs a vet visit.

7. Apple cider vinegar – Often suggested for itchy skin, but there is no good evidence that apple cider vinegar soothes a dog’s skin or clears the cause of the itch, and it can sting inflamed or broken skin. Ask your vet before trying it..

Mix equal parts of water and apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle. Shake gently to combine and spray directly onto your dog’s affected areas.

WARNING

Apple cider vinegar should never be used on open wounds—it can be extremely painful for your dog and may worsen symptoms.

8. Baking Soda –Prepare a thick paste by using a 50/50 mix of baking soda and water. Apply to affected areas of your dog’s skin, leave for 20 minutes, and then rinse off.

9. Brush your dog every day – this helps control and eliminate itchy and irritated skin.

We recommend once again that in case the problem doesn’t clear up in a couple of days or the condition looks intense, please consider seeing a veterinarian.