Home Remedies for Dogs With Infected Scratches

When your dog has an infected scratch, itchiness and pain can drive it crazy. If untreated, your dog's infection can become a serious problem and necessitate a visit to your local veterinarian. Taking advantage of a variety of home remedies can help you fight off the infection before it gets serious.

  1. Cleaning

    • The easiest method of treating your dog's infection is to clean it thoroughly with cold water. Purchase an antibacterial soap that will not aggravate your dog's skin. You can get these from your veterinarian or pet supply store. Do not use soap meant for people because these often contain chemicals that can give your dog itchy skin. Always rinse the area clean with clean water and dab at the area with a towel rather than rubbing at it, which can aggravate the infection.

    Oatmeal

    • If your dog continues to scratch the infected area, the problem can quickly worsen. Treating this symptom can help your dog heal faster. Although pet supplies sell a number of natural ointments, you can also treat the problem with things you have around the house. Mix some oatmeal with water and apply it to the infected area with a towel. Leave the oatmeal on your dog for approximately 10 minutes before removing it. This will help deal with the itchy skin.

    Vinegar

    • Ear infections are one of the most common problems for dogs. You can try treating this problem with white vinegar. Dilute the vinegar in water and fill your dog's ear canal with the mixture, taking care to hold your dog securely in place. Let the solution soak in your dog's ear and massage the canal at the base of your dog's ear with your thumb and forefinger. This will flush your dog's ear clean. Let the solution pour out of your dog's ear and use a cotton swab to wipe the ear clean afterward.

    Vitamin C

    • Although most home remedies for infections deal with the surface area of the infection, you can also treat the problem by changing your dog's diet. Vitamin C contains antioxidants that help heal infections. Check the labels on your dog's food and ask the clerk at your local pet food store to find foods that contain high levels of Vitamin C. If your dog likes to eat small quantities of fruits and vegetables you can also try feeding it berries, tomatoes and leafy green vegetables.