Are you sick of hearing your dog’s tags constantly jingling because he’s up all night itching his irritated skin? Itching, redness, irritation, and other skin issues are all too common in dogs and can cause serious discomfort for your pup — and grate on your nerves! But, the good news is, in most cases, there’s a lot you can do at home to support your itchy dog. Here are some ideas to help you support your dog and his incessantly itchy skin!
What Can Cause Dog Itchy Skin?
There are lots of things that could be to blame if your dog is oh-so itchy. Here are a few of the most common culprits:
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Allergies: Your dog could be allergic to an ingredient in his food, seasonal allergens, or something else he’s come into contact with. It’s common for dogs to react to allergens by having itchy, irritated, red, and otherwise inflamed skin.
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Bug Bites: Creepy crawlers could be behind your dog’s itching--especially if you notice any red bumps or bug-bite-looking spots. There are a host of insects and parasites that can affect your pet including fleas, ticks, mosquitos, and more. Just like with us people, when they bite, it can get itchy!
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Dry Skin: Your dog’s itchy, flakey, scaly skin could be because he has dry skin. If your dog is itching incessantly and you see lots of dry skin falling off, this is likely the cause.
- An Underlying Health Issue: If your dog is uncomfortable and has an underlying health issue, it might manifest as itchy skin. This is exactly why it’s important to pay attention when your dog is itching, so you can help him get healthy if a health issue is behind his discomfort.
Of course, there are other reasons that could cause your dog to itch, but these are some that are most common. If your dog is itching, and it’s become a habit, try to get to the bottom of the cause. Where your dog is itchy could also clue you into the cause.
If Fido is focused on itching his ears, it’s a good indicator that he has an ear infection and you should clean his ears out and get him into the Vet. If your pup is itchy in his armpits and belly, a moisture-loving bacteria could be to blame. If your dog is extra itchy on his paws, excessive licking from stress could be the cause.
When To Visit Your Vet
While there is a lot you can do to help your itchy dog get more comfortable at home, if you suspect it’s a serious health issue, get FIdo into the Vet asap. It’s best to err on the side of caution and get a professional’s opinion when it comes to your dog and his health, so always consult your Vet about changes to your dog’s appearance, behavior, or health.
Home Remedies For Itchy Dogs
If you’ve determined that your dog doesn’t have a serious health issue going on, but he’s still itchy, you can whip up some home remedies, add targeted ingredients to his diet nad otherwise support him to help relieve his itchy, sore skin. Here are some ideas to try to help out your itchy dog:
Deep Clean!
Your pup might be reacting to something he’s come into contact with -- whether that’s dander, pollen, or other compounds that are causing a reaction. Even if you don’t know for certain that environmental allergies are the cause behind your dog’s itching. It’s still a good idea to deep clean...everything!
But out the vacuum and go to town on your whole house. Wash all fabrics, especially those that your dog comes into contact with on a daily basis, like the couch slipcover and his dog bed. Get everything fresh and clean to help your itchy pet!
Slather On Some Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is often applauded for its many, many health benefits, and for good reason! It can help with a host of issues, including itchy skin. Use it as a topical salve to soothe your dog’s sore, itchy or dry skin. Or, add some to his dog bowl! Coconut oil also nourishes from within thanks to the plentiful Omega Fatty Acids that are present in this oil.
Try Aloe Vera
If you’ve ever had a bad sunburn, then you know how amazing Aloe Vera can feel on inflamed skin. The same is true for your dog, especially if he’s been itching for a while! Try applying it to his sorest and itchiest spots topically to cool and calm down irritated skin.
Dip Your Dog Into An Oatmeal Bath
Did you know that oatmeal is incredibly good for the skin? It’s featured in so many skincare formulas for people, so it’s no surprise that you can use oatmeal to help your itchy dog. Many pet experts suggest drawing up a bath for your dog and adding in some finely milled oats to crate a soak. Let your dog chill out and soothe his skin in the bath. And, if you want to take things a step further, follow up the soak by making an oat paste and topically apply it to your dog’s itchiest areas. Just keep a close eye on Fido, because he’ll likely be tempted to lick all that tasty oatmeal off and eat it!
Try A Soothing Shampoo
While it’s definitely not a good idea to over-bathe your dog if his skin is itchy and inflamed, you absolutely can support him by trying out a soothing shampoo. Look for active ingredients that have been studied for their skin-soothing effects like Chlorhexidine or Ketoconazole. Be sure you follow the directions on the bottle and check with your Vet before you test out any new products on your dog, since some skin issues might get agitated by active ingredients while others may improve by adding them into your dog’s grooming routine.
Address Your Dog’s Diet
If your dog has itchy skin, it’s a good idea to address his diet and switch to a new food. Your Vet will be able to help you choose a neutral formula that won’t agitate your dog’s skin issues further and recommend a balanced diet you can slowly transition to when your pup is recovering. Look for a complete and balanced formula that’s packed with animal protein and plenty of Omega Fatty Acids to best support your dog and his skin health.
Add Supplemental Help
There are countless supplements designed to help your dog have healthy skin. Some ingredients that are most beneficial if your dog is itchy and agitated are Omega Fatty Acids, antioxidants, hemp, and other proven skin-soothers. Choose a chew, oil, or another form that you know will work for your dog so you can make the skin support supplement a part of Fido’s daily routine.
PetHonesty Products To Help Your Itchy Dog
Ready to support your itchy dog with supplemental help? The good news is that PetHonesty has several formulas designed specifically with your dog’s skin health in mind. Add some Omega SkinHealth chews to your dog’s diet to boost the healthy fat he’s consuming on a daily basis. They’re packed with Omega Fatty Acids that help protect your dog’s skin barrier and promote overall skin health.
Or, if you prefer to mix a supplement into your dog’s daily dish, pump some Anti-Scratch Salmon Oil on top of Fido’s meal. It delivers a potent dose of salmon oil straight to your dog’s dish to help with his itchy skin.
And the next time you’re getting ready to bath your itchy dog, try Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo. It’s designed with two gentle, yet powerful, active ingredients that help address itchy skin so your dog can find some relief.
Sources:
https://www.thesprucepets.com/home-remedies-for-itchy-dogs-4177184
https://www.animalhealthfoundation.org/blog/2017/04/6-natural-remedies-for-your-dogs-itchy-skin/
https://ultimatepetnutrition.com/home-remedies-itchy-dogs/
https://www.greatpetcare.com/wellness/itch-relief-for-dogs/
