Dogs commonly experience dry, itchy skin due to temperature changes, over-bathing, allergies or other issues. Veterinarians usually prescribe topical creams, but these ointments are often expensive. Before turning to medications, consider trying a natural home remedy to give your puppy relief. Calendula extract, vitamin E, fish oil, tea tree oil and oatmeal will all help with your puppy's dry skin.
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Calendula Extract
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The herb calendula is heralded for its medicinal properties and was even used in ancient Greece. Calendula extract is readily available at most health food stores in a liquid form. If your puppy only has a few spots of dry skin, apply the liquid to those areas and massage it into the skin. Otherwise, coat your puppy's skin completely and massage the extract in with your hands or use a brush to distribute it evenly.
Vitamin E
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Vitamin E is an antioxidant known to help moisturize and protect the skin. You can purchase vitamin E gel capsules at most stores. Either hide a capsule in your puppy's food or apply the vitamin E topically. Simply break open some of the gel capsules and apply the liquid directly to your puppy's skin. Focus more on areas that are especially dry and be sure to thoroughly massage the liquid into your puppy's skin for the best results. The vitamin E will help sooth your puppy's dry skin and protect it from irritation.
Fish Oil
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Fish oil contains Omega 3 fatty acids which are known to benefit the skin. You can purchase fish oil in a liquid form or as a gel capsule. Many puppies enjoy the taste of fish oil and won't mind if it is added to their food. To apply the fish oil topically, just massage it directly into your puppy's skin. Fish oil gel capsules are easy to break open to apply topically if you can't find the liquid form. Apply the oil more generously to any areas that are especially dry.
Tea Tree Oil
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Tea tree oil is available in most health food stores. Applied topically, it acts as an antiseptic that helps soothe a puppy's dry, itchy skin and remove any allergens. Because of this, tea tree oil is especially recommended for dry skin due to allergies. Brush the tea tree oil onto your puppy's skin daily to remove any allergens that might be causing the dry skin. You can also spray the tea tree oil onto your dog if it's easier.
Oatmeal
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Combine oatmeal and water until you form a paste, then rub it onto your puppy's skin to provide relief from itchiness and dryness. Leave the oatmeal mixture on your puppy for about 10 minutes, then rinse it off. Because an oatmeal bath is very mild, you can repeat this process daily until your puppy's dry skin goes away.
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