If you notice that your dog constantly scratches, itches and reveals patches of red or irritated flesh, he likely suffers from dry skin. This ailment affects dogs for many reasons, including environment, diet and allergies, but regardless of the specific cause, you will need to begin treating the problem as soon as possible in order to spare your poor pooch from enduring long periods of unnecessary pain and discomfort.
Things You'll Need
- Oatmeal
- Dog brush
- Olive oil
- Dog shampoo
- Dog coat moisturizing product
- Dog food containing fatty acids
Instructions
Feed your dog a commercially-prepared diet that includes Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. You can purchase supplements for these fatty acids from your veterinarian, or you can purchase canned foods and dog treats containing fish oil from your local pet supply store.
Add one tablespoon of olive oil to your dog's food three days a week. This will help to clear up your dog's dry skin, according to Vet Info.
Apply an oatmeal solution to your dog's dry skin every day. While it may seem unorthodox, websites like The Daily Puppy and Small Dogs Paradise recommend the technique, and manufacturers have even developed oatmeal shampoos for this very purpose. Just mix equal parts warm water and oatmeal and apply the solution to your dog's skin. Let it sit for 10 minutes and rinse with warm water.
Bathe your dog with a mild dog shampoo and then apply a dog moisturizer, available at your local pet supply store. If your dog suffers from dry skin, you should bathe him no more than once every three months, and always apply a moisturizer immediately afterward. Bathing too often can exacerbate the problem.
Brush your dog once a day. This will remove the loose hair, dust and pet dander that can worsen or prolong the dry skin problem.
Take your dog to the veterinarian if the problem persists. Ongoing dry skin may indicate a more serious problem, such as a parasite, so do not hesitate to have your dog examined if the issue seems potentially serious.