How to Care for Rashes & Flaky Skin on a Dog

If your dog is biting at its skin, scratching itself or shows signs of skin irritations, such as rashes or flakiness, your first duty as an owner is to take it to your veterinarian. There are numerous causes for skin disorders in dogs, and getting the correct diagnosis is important for ending your dog's discomfort. Rashes can be caused by allergies, poor nutrition or fungal or parasitic infections, but regardless of the root cause, there are a few things you can do for a dog to ease the rash. These will help care for the dog, but are not a replacement for the advice of a veterinarian.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog shampoo
  • Dog brush and comb
  • Towel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take your dog to the veterinarian. This is the most important thing you can do for a dog with skin issues. Tell the veterinarian when the rash began, how it developed and point to all the spots on the dog where there are symptoms. Come up with a plan for treating your dog and write down all instructions your veterinarian gives you so you can follow them exactly.

    • 2

      Bathe your dog. Take it to a professional groomer, a do-it-yourself dog wash or just wash it in the bathtub at home. Use any special shampoos prescribed or suggested by the veterinarian. If the veterinarian did not suggest any shampoos, then your dog does not need a potent pesticide shampoo or bacterial shampoo, so use something mild and gentle. You also can wash the dog without any shampoo at all, which will still free its coat of dirt and irritants. Wash and brush your dog once or twice per week. Dry the animal thoroughly after bathing.

    • 3

      Buy high-quality dog food. Your veterinarian will help you determine if your dog is allergic to its current food, but even if he is not allergic, good nutrition is important. Look for foods that are meat-based (not by-product-based) and that the first listed ingredient is meat: chicken, lamb, beef or fish. Ask a veterinarian about using such supplements as fish oil to improve the dog's skin.

    • 4

      Keep your dog away from anything that seems to exacerbate its condition. Playing in fields where burs will get stuck in its fur, or taking it swimming in a lake may increase the instances of rashes or flaky skin, even if the dog is not allergic. The irritation from being damp or dirty will increase the likelihood of a rash. If you take your dog to places where it gets wet and dirty, remember to bring a towel to dry the dog and a brush to remove anything stuck in the animal's coat.