A dog scratching itself to relieve the occasional itching is a normal occurrence. But long-lasting or severe itches can be damaging to your dog’s skin health and leave you feeling frustrated. Having a plan to treat and prevent itches can help. Consider these tips to give itchy skin the boot and keep your dog feeling their best.
A dog scratching itself to relieve the occasional itching is a normal occurrence. But long-lasting or severe itches can be damaging to your dog’s skin health and leave you feeling frustrated. Having a plan to treat and prevent itches can help. Consider these tips to give itchy skin the boot and keep your dog feeling their best.
How Severe is Your Dog’s Itch?
Vigilance is key in treating itchy dogs. Early detection can go a long way in determining how to utilize home remedy treatments for itchy skin in dogs. If your pup has just started scratching and is only demonstrating mild itching, they may just be dealing with dry skin, seasonal allergies, or other minor ailments. These can often be remedied with common household products to provide immediate relief.
However, severe itching and prolonged scratching can lead to raw, red, inflamed skin, hair loss, or open wounds. At that point, professional-grade intervention may be necessary for effective treatment.
You Can Utilize Oatmeal to Relieve Itching?
Oatmeal can be a helpful aid in relieving your dog’s itchy skin. While we might view it a tasty, nutritious way to start the day, as surprising as it may sound, plain oatmeal has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties. Consider giving your dog a colloidal oatmeal bath to reduce inflammation and address hot spots where your dog has been itching.
Make an Apple Cider Vinegar Spray
Like oatmeal, apple cider vinegar is a common household product that can lend a hand in combatting your dog’s irritated skin. Create a 50/50 solution of apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle and apply to your pup’s itchy paws to calm irritated skin. This is a quick, easy way to develop home remedy treatments itchy skin in dogs using simple items you can find in your kitchen.
Soothing Coconut Oil
As is the case for humans, dry skin can lead to itchy skin for dogs, and coconut oil is a great way to provide relief. Applying coconut oil to dry areas can moisturize your dog’s skin and keep them from excessive scratching. As a bonus, it can also serve as a barrier against environmental irritants that could cause further itching.
Prepare an Epsom Salt Bath
Environmental allergens can contribute to skin inflammation, worsen irritation, and even lead to “frito-feet”, a condition that causes swollen paws that smell like corn chips. If your pup is showing allergy symptoms, then drawing a bath with Epsom salt can help in flushing out the toxins and bacteria that cause itching and inflammation.
Treating More Aggressive Itching
Sometimes, itching can be caused by more than dry patches, skin irritation, or minor allergies. Intense itching can also be a sign of bacterial infections, yeast infections, or Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD). In these cases, you may need to administer a more aggressive treatment to soothe itchy skin.
Our Medicated Dog Shampoo is specially designed to target fungal and bacterial pathogens that simple home remedies cannot treat. Its antiseptic and soothing properties are perfect for reducing skin irritation, fungal infections, and other ailments that can worsen your dog’s itching.
What if a Dog Has a Specific Trouble Spot?
Even proper treatment and the use of home remedy treatments itchy skin in dogs can still leave pups with itches in stubborn spots or skin folds. For these areas, it is best to employ a targeted treatment strategy to give those spots a little extra care. We recommend our Medicated Ketoconazole Spray for Dogs, which is crafted to provide fast-acting relief and combat ear infections, bacterial or yeast infections, and other issues that can cause problematic itching.
In addition, stopping your dog from itching these spots not only stops the “itch-scratch” cycle, but also reduces the risk your dog escalates any of these issues by further agitating them with scratches or gnaws. Keeping your dog from developing these hot spots reduces the risk of additional ailments and will have them feeling better in no time.
When Should You Go to the Vet?
If your dog continues to itch despite utilizing these home remedy treatments, it may be time for a trip to the vet. A professional can provide an accurate diagnosis and advise what medical treatment is best for your pup. Plus, this is a great way for a pet parent to learn about vet-approved home remedies that can be utilized to address future itching issues.
What are Some Itch Risks in the Environment to Watch for?
While it is important for dogs to get exercise and fresh air by playing outside, the outdoors can present a plethora of allergens and itch-inducing irritants. Environmental factors to consider include:
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Grass
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Pollen
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Dust
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Trees
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Mold spores
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Flea bites
When your dog is out in the yard or at the park, these factors and environmental allergies can lead to allergic reactions and irritated skin that can contribute to your dog’s discomfort. It can be a challenge to fully shield your dog from these environmental factors but being aware of them can be a valuable step in developing remedies for itchy dogs.
Whenever your dog spends time outside, take some time to check them for irritated skin, dirt, or pollen that could contribute to itching. Consider giving them a quick bath or a rinse to wash away any allergens and address any trouble spots to keep your dog itch-free.
How Does Your Dog’s Bedding Impact Itching?
Traditional “fluff” dog beds tend to trap itching irritants like dust mites, dander, dirt, and moisture. This can turn a simple dog bed into an incubator for itches, as most dogs spend more time on their beds than any other single space. And when surrounded by itch factors for an extended period of time, dogs develop itchy skin.
You may find that your dog is persistently licking or chewing at their bed as a result of irritated or itchy skin. Try using our All-Natural No Chew Spray for Dogs to stop your pup from damaging their bedding. This water-based formula includes bitter apple for a flavor that will disincentivize chewing without causing any harm or discomfort.
Creating Your Dog’s Itch-Free Sanctuary
Giving your dog a space where they can rest and relax while minimizing exposure to itch irritants can go a long way in creating peace for you and your pet. After all, the best way to utilize home remedy treatments itchy skin in dogs is by preventing them from becoming itchy in the first place.
We typically find that beds with removable, easily washable dog bed covers are an effective method in combatting itching, as routine washes are needed to remove allergens, dust, and shed skin. In addition, the quality of foam used to construct the bed can be a major factor, as low-quality foam can trap heat while a dog rests, exacerbating inflammation and irritation.
Give your dog the comfort they deserve and the peace of mind you will cherish with our Original Bully Bed Orthopedic Dog Bed. It boasts a breathable construction and easy-to-clean cover that makes removing dust and dirt simple and keeps your dog off the floor which may carry itch-inducing dust.
If your dog has a habit of nesting or biting and clawing at their bed when they get itchy, try our Chew Proof Dog Bed (with a 200 Day Guarantee). We specially crafted it with Kevlar-reinforced seams, heavy-duty hook and loop closures, and our unmatched BullyTuf™ cover that is puncture-resistant, making it harder to trap dander and contribute to your dog’s itches.
Develop a Multi-Layered Plan
If you recognize the warning signs of excessive itching in your dog, take a few minutes to evaluate the cause and severity. Start by utilizing simple, natural remedies with items around the home, like a soothing oatmeal soak, apple vinegar solution spray, coconut oil, or an Epsom salt bath.
If these home remedy treatments for itchy skin in dogs are not enough and the itching persists, escalate to more aggressive, medicated solutions, like our Medicated Dog Shampoo. It is antiseptic, soothing to your pup, and treats several skin conditions that can mitigate itching in dogs.
You can also utilize our Shed & Itch Reducer Krillex Chew to address your dog’s itching. Specially designed to prevent fatty acid deficiency, these soft chews promote a soft and shiny coat, reduce shedding, and alleviate itchy skin to keep your dog from scratching.
Is Your Dog Ready for Itch-Free Rest?
Just as important as a clean coat is clean bedding. Employing both home remedies and keeping your dog’s sleep space clean can aid in preventing your dog from harmful itching. Keep your dog’s bed free of dust, dirt, and moisture and keep them from clawing and chewing at the bed to reduce itching factors while they rest.
If you are being proactive in employing home remedy treatments itchy skin in dogs and they continue to scratch, their bedding may be at fault. Upgrade to our Original Bully Bed Orthopedic Dog Bed, which is hypoallergenic, built tough to keep your dog comfortable and is easy to clean and maintain to reduce itch factors.
