What food helps dogs dry skin

6 Home Remedies for Dry and Itchy Skin on Dogs: Homemade Lotions and Moisturizers

It's not difficult to spot a dog with dry skin. If the itching, scratching, and biting don't give it away, the flaky skin and dry fur are easy to spot.

Not only will dry skin irritate your pet, it could lead to more serious health troubles if left untreated.

These six dog dry skin home remediesare easy to use, and you probably already have the required supplies.

Itchy skin can be caused by a number of factors, and some of those factors have been researched in scientific studies.

These studies show that the most common cause of itchy skin is dryness.

Dry skin on dogs could be linked to environmental factors, like cold winter air or a nutritional deficiency.

The best way to ensure your dog's skin and coat stay moisturized is to keep him well-hydrated and feed him a balanced diet.

Even if you provide these things, your dog may still suffer from dry skin.

Like humans, some dogs just have dry skin for no particular reason.

In these instances, a dog dry skin home remedy could be just the cure your pooch needs. Just be sure that you're keeping a close watch on the condition to make sure it's not getting worse.

Veterinarians do warn that some of the causes of dog itchy skin may be serious and could lead to health issues if left untreated.

Usually, if your dog's itchiness is severe and doesn't go away, you'll need to do tests at your local vet clinic to rule out any serious health conditions.

6 Dog Dry Skin Home Remedies

1. Colloidal Oatmeal Bath

Most of the over-the-counter products you will find to treat itchy skin contain oatmeal.

Studies have shown that the properties of oats have a positive effect on itchy skin.

You can make your dog an oatmeal bath at home to help heal dry or itchy skin.

Add 3 cups of colloidal oatmeal to a bathtub filled with about 6 inches of warm water.

Put your dog in the bathtub and use a cup to apply the oatmeal water generously to his coat.

Massage the mixture into the skin with your hands.

Try to allow the oatmeal bath to sit on your pup for 20-30 minutes (if he will stay in the tub long enough).

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple ciderhas been shown to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.

DO NOT use it directly on your dog's skin, as the high acidity could actually be harmful to him.

It could irritate the skin and cause a burning sensation in your dog.

Make a 50/50 blend of apple cider vinegar and water in an empty spray bottle.

You can apply the spray to your dog 2-3 times per day until the itching stops.

If your dog has chronic skin itchiness, you can use the apple cider vinegar spray once daily as a treatment remedy.

This spray should not be used if your dog has open wounds on his skin.

It will sting and cause your dog pain.

You should also pay close attention to the itchy areas after applying this itchy dog home remedy.

If you notice any redness or the itchiness seems to get worse, stop using the spray and contact your veterinarian.

3. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has many effects on skin and coat health.

It can help with skin conditions like eczema, contact dermatitis, and itchy skin and generally improve skin health.

It can reduce allergic reactions, especially when it comes to flea allergies.

Skin cuts and wounds can also be treated withcoconut oil.

It can disinfect cuts and promote their healing.

It can also help with the treatment of dry skin, hot spots, bites, and stings.

Coconut oil can be given to dogs orally or applied topically. Including coconut oil in your dogs diet can improve their health in general but for the best results regarding skin and coat health, coconut oil should also be used topically.

Coconut oil can be given to dogs daily with meals, one or two times per day.

The amount of oil in your dogs meals depends on its size.

For example, many vets recommend that you introduce coconut oil slowly to your dogs diet, like 1/4 of a teaspoon for small dogs on a daily basis.

For large breeds, start with one teaspoon with every meal.

Using coconut oil topically is rather simple. It is important to start with small amounts because your dogs fur can get greasy if you apply too much.

Just rub a bit of oil between your hands and put it on your dogs fur, like you are giving him a gentle massage.

Use your fingertips to rub the oil on his skin as well. It is best to apply coconut oil once or twice a week.

Coconut oil isvery healthy for dogs, so you don't have to worry if your pooch licks this dry dog skin home remedy.

SIMILAR: 9 Ways to Improve Your Dog's Skin and Coat Health

4. Chamomile or Green Tea

Chamomile or Green tea is one of the best dog dry skin home remedy options, and many pet owners have it right in their kitchen cupboards.

Steep the tea bag in about 8 ounces of water and allow it to cool.

You can apply the wet bag directly to the affected area or use a cotton ball to apply the tea to the hot spot.

Apply it 3-4 times daily until the affected area has healed completely.

You can also give your Fido a bath in chamomile or green tea.

Steep 6-8 tea bags in a bathtub filled with about 6 inches of warm water.

Bathe your pet following the same instructions I listed in the colloidal oatmeal section above.

5. Baking Soda Paste

Mix 1 part baking soda with 1 part water to create a paste.

Apply the paste to the affected area and allow it to sit for 20 minutes.

Rinse the area thoroughly.

If your dog is experiencing widespread itching, you can also create a baking soda bath by adding 2 cups of baking soda to a bathtub of water.

Bathe your dog using the same instructions as noted above.

6. Vitamin E Oil

You can purchase Vitamin E oil at most pharmacies or natural living stores.

Applying the oil topically to sores on your pet's skin will help them heal faster.

You can also apply the oil to especially dry patches of skin to help moisturize and heal the area.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps to defend against free radicals in the skin.

It is also good for your dog's immune system, heart and liver health, and overall skin and coat health.

Dog Dry Skin Home Remedy: FAQs

What natural oil can I use on my dog's dry skin?

Coconut oil can be a great dog dry skin home remedy.

It is an excellent natural moisturizer with strong antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties.

To hydrate and calm your woofer's skin, warm the oil in your hands before applying it.

What causes dry skin in dogs?

Bacteria are most frequently blamed for dry skin, but parasites, fungal infections, systemic illnesses, immune system issues, or wounds can also be the cause.

Something is wrong if Fido starts scratching a lot or if you see other symptoms like hair loss, dry skin, scabs, irritation, or a bad odor.

It's time to make an appointment to bring your dog in for a checkup at the vet's office.

Can I put baking soda in my dog's bath?

Every time you give your dog a wash, you can add baking soda.

Simply adding it to the bath water can aid in deodorizing and calming the skin.

Pour 3 tablespoons of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of dish soap, and 1 teaspoon of baby oil into a spray bottle for a wet wash.

Your dog should be sprayed, then dried off.

Dog Dry Skin Home Remedy: Before You Go

Dog dry skin can be relieved with various natural remedies, but not all of them will completely fix the issue.

Finding out what is causing your dog's skin disease is the first thing you should do.

To ascertain whether there is an underlying issue, a vet should examine severe cases of dry skin.

If Fido is scratching a lot, a few of the above remedies may provide relief in the meantime.

READ NEXT:

Want to share this?

Dry Skin on Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Treatments

Dry skin on dogs is frustrating for dogs and owners alike. There are many potential causes for dry skin, which can make diagnosing skin conditions in dogs tricky. If dry, itchy, or flaky skin is making your dog uncomfortable, here is what you need to know about the causes, symptoms, and best treatment options for your pet.

What Causes Dry Skin on Dogs?

Dry skin might not seem like a big deal, but it can actually be a sign of a much larger problem in your dog. Dry skin is a symptom associated with a wide range of conditions, from allergies and parasites to serious medical disorders like Cushings disease and hypothyroidism.

Allergies

Dogs get allergies just like people do. Food allergies, and environmental allergies and seasonal allergies, such as pollen, dust, feathers, grass, animal dander, grain, and flea saliva can cause a host of symptoms in dogs that often include dry skin. If left untreated, these allergies can result in a skin condition called atopic dermatitis, which causes dry skin, itching, redness, and inflammation and can also lead to secondary skin infections.

Flea allergy dermatitis, which is an allergic reaction to flea saliva, is the most common skin disorder in American dogs. The best way to avoid flea allergy dermatitis is to keep your dog and home free of fleas and to talk to your veterinarian about treatment options for your dogs allergies.

Parasites

Parasites are another potential cause of dry skin on dogs. Dry, flaky skin can be a sign of parasites that cause mange, such as the Demodex mite, canine scabies, and cheyletiellosis (Walking Dandruff), or it could indicate that your dog has lice.

Diagnosing parasites that cause dry skin on dogs requires a trip to the veterinarian. Your family vet may refer you to a specialist in veterinary dermatology if they feel that your pet requires the attention of a specialist.

Infections

Bacterial and fungal infections can cause a variety of skin-related symptoms in dogs. Veterinarians usually diagnose canine skin infections by taking skin scrapes for cytology. These infections are sometimes secondary to a larger problem, which is why dry skin should always be taken seriously. Some infections, such as the fungal infection Ringworm, are also transmissible to humans.

Systemic Disorders

Sometimes, dry skin is a sign of a much larger problem. The two main metabolic diseases associated with dry skin on dogs are Cushings disease and hypothyroidism. In both cases, dry skin is often accompanied by dry and brittle hair, hair loss, and skin infections, among other symptoms. Auto-immune diseases and cancer can also cause dry skin on dogs.

These conditions are serious. Dry skin shouldnt be taken lightly. Make sure you take your dog in to see your family veterinarian as soon as you notice symptoms of dry skin.

Breed-Specific Skin Conditions

Some breeds are more prone to skin conditions than others, especially when it comes to dry skin. Hairless breeds, such as the Xoloitzcuintli and the Chinese Crested, are prone to a variety of skin conditions. Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, and fast-growing large-breed puppies can get a condition called zinc-responsive dermatosis. Veterinarians can narrow down the possible causes of your dogs dry skin.

Other Causes Of Dry Skin on Dogs

Sometimes dry skin is caused by environmental conditions such as cold weather and dry air, or by excessive bathing, harsh soaps, and poor nutrition. If you suspect that your dogs dry skin is the result of nutritional deficiencies, environmental conditions or bathing habits, its still a good idea to consult your veterinarian in order to rule out more serious conditions.

Symptoms of Dry Skin on Dogs

Dry skin doesnt present in the same way for every dog. Symptoms associated with dry skin include:

• itchiness
• dandruff
• flaking
• pimples
• scaling
• hair loss
• inflammation
• odor
• increased oiliness
• scabs

Some dogs experience only one of these symptoms while others present with several. Keeping an eye on your dogs symptoms can help your veterinarian diagnose the cause of your dogs dry skin.

Treating Dry Skin on Dogs

Treatment of your dogs dry skin depends on the cause, so the first step is a diagnosis. While the internet is full of valuable resources about canine health, consulting your veterinarian is the best way to determine the cause of your dogs skin problems.

In some cases, dry skin might be a symptom of a larger cause. In this case, your vet will treat both the dry skin and the condition. Demadex mange (secondary demodicosis) is often associated with Cushings disease, which means your vet will need to treat both the mange and Cushings. Treatments and testing for these diseases vary, but most can be controlled with medication.

Treating allergies that cause dry skin on dogs can get tricky. For canine food allergies, your veterinarian might prescribe an elimination diet, as there is no reliable diagnostic test for diagnosing food allergens. The most common ingredients that cause food allergies in dogs are beef, soy, corn, wheat, dairy, chicken, and eggs.

Environmental allergies can be tested for, but there is no cure. The three common treatment options for allergies are:

Usually, veterinarians use a combination of these treatment options to control canine allergies.

Some factors, like excessive bathing, are easy to control. Purchasing a humidifier to use when the weather is cold and dry, using a veterinarian-approved shampoo, and reducing the frequency of baths usually resolves dry skin on dogs, as long as those factors are the cause. Some dog owners will use a dog skin moisturizer to help soothe the dry skin. Switching to a high-quality diet provides the necessary nutrients your dog needs for a healthy coat and skin, so talk with your veterinarian about a nutrition plan, along with any supplementsthat they recommend.

Preventing Dry Skin on Dogs

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, the saying goes. This proves true when it comes to skin conditions in dogs. While some breeds are more prone to dry skin than others, there are a few things you can do to prevent dry skin on dogs:

• Feed a high-quality, balanced diet from puppyhood
• Prevent parasites by keeping up-to-date on preventatives
• Groom your dog regularly to prevent the buildup of dirt and debris
• Give supplements when necessary as prescribed by your veterinarian
• Schedule regular veterinary checkups to monitor your dogs overall health
• Keep facial skin folds clean in breeds with folds
• Research your breed to discover what skin conditions theyre predisposed to and how to prevent them

The best way to prevent dry skin in dogs is to ensure that your pet leads a happy, healthy life. Some skin conditions cannot be prevented, but by regularly examining your dogs, you can catch dry skin before it gets out of hand.