How To Deal With Dry and Itchy Skin in Dogs? – A Complete Guide
Although many skin conditions in dogs are more annoying than serious, there are a few itchy skin conditions that really require vet attention, and they need to be treated. Always consult with your veterinarian for his recommendations on treating the dogs itchy skin, and be sure to address any underlying health conditions as necessary.
It is important to address the root causes of a dogs extreme, chronic itching so that open wounds, hot spots, or infections do not develop on his skin. If you leave itchy skin untreated in dogs, this can cause further problems, like hot spots, which are areas of inflamed skin caused by overly biting and licking. Another common cause of itchy skin is allergies, which can leave your dogs skin dry, oily, or a little dry and oily; allergies can be accompanied by frequent scratching, licking, or chewing. Regardless of the symptoms your pooch may show, using a dry itchy dog shampoo is a great way to soothe and heal its skin and reduce discomfort.
Excessive scratching, licking, and itching are all signs your dog may have developed a skin condition called dermatitis. Dogs like to have a good scratch, but overly scratching may be an indication that there is an underlying allergy or skin condition. Dogs whose causes of itching cannot be identified, or in whom treating an underlying medical condition has not eliminated itching, will need to receive veterinary management of pruritus.
Your veterinarian will probably recommend a number of testing options, including skin scrapings and blood tests, to identify the primary cause of itching in your dog. Determining what type of conditions your dog is dealing with requires a veterinarian’s assessment, but implementing some of these home remedies while you are waiting for your appointment could help your pup feel more comfortable in his or her skin. There are ways to stop and prevent itchiness in dogs, some that involve taking them to a veterinarian, and others that can be treated through simple, natural home remedies.
One of the best ways to deal with excessive dryness and itchiness in pups is to use a shampoo and conditioner designed to treat dry skin. Such products contain ingredients known to treat irritation and reduce itching. Another remedy is to give your pet regular cleaning sessions. It may not sound like a solution but frequent bathing and combing will provide some much-needed relief if your dog has allergies. You must use a high-quality dry itchy dog shampoo if you are planning on truly stopping the dogs itch for good, all the while maintaining a healthy coat on the dogs skin.
If your dog has any reddened spots or achy skin, you can give a 50/50 solution of apple cider vinegar and water to your dog. Dogs with itchy skin and dandruff can benefit from a bath or a rinse with apple cider vinegar to help soothe irritation and inflammation. In addition to following the recommendations of your veterinarian for treatment, washing your dog may be helpful, especially if your dog has atopic dermatitis.
Then, there are oatmeal-based shampoos that may be helpful in soothing itchy skin, but, once again, you need to identify the root cause in order to really curb the itch. This ancient remedy is not just some old wives tale: A colloidal oatmeal bath can seriously calm down itchy dogs skin, decreasing inflammation and washing out allergens trapped in their coat.…
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