Home Remedies for Dry Skin on Beagles

Beagles are small dogs with long ears and straight tails. A beagle has short hair, typically black, white and shades of tan, but a few are red and white or have silver to blue markings. Beagles shed on a regular basis, so daily grooming is important. Symptoms of dry skin are itching and flaking, most noticeable on the black parts of a beagle's coat. Although a nuisance, home remedies can help.

  1. Long-term Treatment

    • While humans apply lotion to dry skin, fur makes this nearly impossible. Treating a beagle or any dog for dry skin begins internally. A proper diet helps control dry skin flaking, itching and shedding. Start by giving your beagle plenty of drinking water, especially in winter. Less active dogs may not drink enough. Polyunsaturated fats, such as omega-3 and omega-6 may be included in good quality dog foods, but are often destroyed during the cooking process. For this reason, many veterinarians recommend supplements.

    Hot Spots

    • When dealing with hot spots, shave the hair in the immediate area. Make a cup of tea and, while it steeps, dissolve two aspirins in 1 tbsp. of rubbing alcohol. Remove the tea bag from the cup and pour the contents of the tablespoon into the tea and stir. Apply the warm mixture to the hot spot with a cotton ball. Follow this treatment with an anti-itch spray or cream and repeat several times a day.

    Allergies

    • Dry skin in dogs is most often caused by an allergy. Give your beagle a cool bath containing colloidal oatmeal. This relieves immediate itching, but it is important know your dog's allergies. A natural antiseptic known as tea tree oil removes allergens from animal's fur. Spray it on and brush it through the coat daily. Tea tree oil also kills fleas and mites, so you and your beagle get double the benefit.

    Insects

    • Although often unseen, insects do bite or sting dogs as well as humans. For itching and dry skin caused by bug bites, apply a poultice of baking soda and water to the affected area. If you suspect fleas, add a bit of yeast and garlic to your beagle's diet. Check with your veterinarian for proper amounts, according to the size of your dog.