Home Remedies for Irritation & Dryness in Dog Skin

Skin problems are not uncommon and are an indication of your dog's overall health. If your dog has dry, irritated skin and is constantly scratching, her itch can be caused by a variety of different problems. This includes parasites, fleas, allergies, seasonal changes, grooming products, food allergies and poor nutrition, stress, or a combination of these factors. Home remedies are available to treat many of the skin problems.

  1. Herbs

    • A variety of herbs can be used in different ways to soothe itching skin. Herbs used to make a rinse include yellow dock, plantain, green tea, chamomile and calendula. Add a tablespoon of the herbs to 2 cups of boiling water, let cool, strain and massage into the skin. Calendula can be used in tincture form and made into a spritz by adding 10 drops to about 4 oz. of water. Calendula extract has antibacterial properties and a few drops can be applied to infected spots or used to coat the skin and then brushed through.

    Oatmeal

    • A paste made with oatmeal soothes itchy skin.

      Just as with humans, the use of oatmeal is extremely effective in soothing itchy, irritated skin. Cook the oatmeal with enough water to form a paste, let it cool, and apply to affected areas. An oatmeal bath will soothe dry, itching skin. Boil 1 lb. of oats in 2 qts. of water, strain, and add to your dog's bath water.

    Vitamins

    • Use vitamins A and C to strengthen the immune system which, in turn, helps alleviate itching. Vitamin C may be beneficial in relieving itching caused by allergies. Vitamin C also works well with Vitamin E because it enhances the antioxidant ability of Vitamin E. Vitamin E is an anti-inflammatory and has moisturizing properties that soothe dry, itching, flaky skin. Available in gel form, Vitamin E capsules can be broken open and applied directly to the skin.

    Fatty Acids

    • Fatty acids from omega-3 and omega-6 are anti-inflammatory and will help soothe itchy skin. Fatty acids to add to the diet include salmon oil, pumpkin seed oil, flaxseed oil, borage oil, and hemp seed oil. These oils are available in liquid form and are easier for ingestion.

    Tea Tree Oil

    • Tea tree oil has antiseptic properties and can be used to clean allergens off the coat. Brush or spray the tea tree oil directly onto your dog's coat to help alleviate itching.

    Diet

    • A balanced diet, without artificial ingredients and fillers, will help maintain a healthy coat and skin. If your dog is itching and has rashes, consider a hypoallergenic diet. According to the ASPCA website, if your dog does have food allergies he will need to be put on an exclusive prescription diet until your veterinarian determines the cause, and can then recommend specific foods.