Are you worried about your dog’s uncontrolled scratching and biting? Do you find your furry companion inflicting harm on themselves due to this excessive scratching? This behavior reflects that your dog may be suffering from one or the other skin disease. While your four-legged friend is feeling itchy, you may need to provide them temporary relief by the time you get the veterinarian’s appointment. There are a few vet-approved home remedies that can come in handy in soothing your pet. With August being Itchy Pet Awareness Month, it is the perfect time to gather information about these skin-soothing remedies.
This blog lists 9 effective home remedies for managing skin diseases in dogs. Read on to learn everything about these skin treatments.
9 Effective remedies for managing dog skin diseases at home
Dogs suffer from a variety of skin problems, which can lead to intense itching. There are a variety of reasons for this itchiness and different ways to treat it to help your fur friend feel calm & relaxed. Of them, the following at-home solutions are the most common and effective in soothing your pet’s irritated skin:
- Flea, tick & mite treatments
Bites from parasites like fleas, ticks, mites, etc., can be one of the most common reasons your dog feels itchy. The best way to keep these nasty creatures away is to treat these infestations with vet-recommended topical or oral treatments, like Vectra 3D or NexGard for dogs. Your pooch gets relief from skin irritation as the infestation subsides.
- Oatmeal baths
Oatmeal bath is an age-old remedy for soothing scratchy skin in both dogs and humans. Even the skin-soothing shampoos for dogs contain oatmeal as an ingredient. Sprinkle ground oatmeal on warm water in a bathtub and let your pet sit in it for around 15 minutes. Then rinse them off. You can also add a small amount of water to the ground oatmeal to create a paste and apply it directly to the affected area.
- Chamomile & herbal tea soaks
The hot, itchy patches of your fur buddy’s skin need a warm chamomile and herbal tea soak. These natural soothing agents also help reduce skin inflammation. Fill warm water in a tub, steep a few herbal teabags in it, and add a few drops of chamomile to it. Leave them for around three minutes. Remove the tea bags and let your itchy furball soak in this water for several minutes. This will give them relief from itching.
- Fish oil or sugar-free yogurt
Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties and help improve skin health and coat appearance. Adding an omega-3 supplement to your four-legged friend’s diet helps reduce the chances of skin infections in them.
Plain, unsweetened yogurt helps improve the health of your fur baby’s digestive system and provides relief from rashes, hives or allergies. Check with your veterinarian and feed one or two teaspoons of sugar-free yogurt to your dog once every week to help them with good skin health.
- Bathing with medicated shampoos
Your fur friend’s itching and scratching can be a result of a variety of skin conditions, like dry, scaly, or irritated skin or hotspots caused by bacteria, yeast, ringworms, etc. Bathe your dog with a shampoo that has antifungal, antibacterial or antiseptic properties to help soothe their irritated skin. A thorough bath with shampoos and conditioners like Malaseb Dermcare Shampoo and Pyohex Medicated Conditioner can be a helping hand in relieving your fur baby from skin irritation.
- Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is known for its antiseptic and antifungal properties. It helps soothe dry and itchy skin and provides relief from poison ivy. Take a spray bottle and prepare a solution with 50% water and 50% apple cider vinegar. Spray this liquid on the affected area. If your dog has walked through a patch of poison ivy or oak, you can also soak your dog’s paws in this solution for a few minutes to provide them relief from the irritation.
- Vitamin E or coconut oil
Vitamin E oil has moisturizing properties that help soothe irritated or dry skin patches. Apply it to the affected area or use the oil for a massage to relieve your pet. You can also add a few drops of this oil to your dog’s bath water.
Coconut oil has high viscosity and creates a natural barrier between the skin and the environment, thus protecting the skin. Besides, it has antibacterial and antifungal properties that help treat skin infections. It also moisturizes the skin. Refrigerate the coconut oil to turn it into a solid. Then, massage it on your dog’s coat and skin. Regular massage helps reduce itching.
- Regular playtime & exercise
Exercise and playtime help keep dogs occupied and prevent them from scratching unnecessarily. Additionally, regular physical activity also helps improve your furry companion’s overall health and well-being.
- Changes in Diet
Food allergy is one of the most common causes of itching in dogs. Add more high-quality food to your dog’s diet that is free from common allergens like wheat, soy, gluten, etc.
Parting notes
Dogs suffer from a variety of skin problems that can cause itching and irritation. While treatment under the vet’s guidance works the best, the above-mentioned home remedies will help you provide temporary relief to your furry family member and prevent skin infections where possible with routine skin care.
