How to Treat a Dog With Dry Itchy Skin & Odor

Your dog may only need a bath. Your dog may also be suffering from allergic (veterinarians call it atopic) dermatitis, sarcoptic mange, general dermatitis, or red (Demodectic) mange. Bathing your dog may not cure these conditions but it does not make any of these specific conditions worse. The ailment usually associated with both odor and ferocious itching is sarcoptic mange, which is caused by an infestation of microscopic mites burrowing into your dog's skin. Sarcoptic mange usually starts around your dog's ears and elbows then spreads to his legs and body.

Things You'll Need

  • Moisturizing shampoo
  • Skin health specific dog food
  • Veterinarian prescribed cortico-steroids or sarcoptic mange medications (in some cases)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wash your dog with moisturizing shampoo. Since dogs pant rather than perspire, their odor is usually caused by dirty fur and not body odor. Wash his collar and bedding.

    • 2

      Feed your dog a skin-health-specific dog food. Many dog food manufacturers sell foods that contain extra amounts of essential fatty acids and certain vitamins.

    • 3

      Take your dog to a veterinarian if his itching and odor persist after bathing and changing his food. Veterinarians usually treat sarcoptic mange with brand name prescription medicines called "Revolution," "Advantage Multi," "Interceptor" or "Sentinel." Vets usually treat other skin irritations with cortico-steroids.