Dry skin is a common problem in dogs that spend their days in indoor heat with diets that may be lacking in essential oils that help to keep their coats in good condition. Dry, itchy skin can also be a symptom of other canine skin diseases, but if there is no other inflammation or eruption of the skin, you can treat canine dry skin at home with special shampoos and dietary supplements.
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Causes of Dry Skin
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A number of factors can cause dry skin in dogs. One is living in dry, indoor quarters. The same lack of humidity that affects human skin can affect canine skin. Overbathing can also cause dry skin. Veterinarians advise to wash your dog no more than once a month. In between washes, a thorough brushing should be enough to keep coat and skin in good condition unless the dog gets into something messy. Reaction to sunlight can cause dry, itchy skin in some dogs, and you should not allow the animal to stay out in the sun for long periods of time. Infections and pests can also cause dry, irritated, itching skin in dogs. If home treatments do not improve your dog's skin, consult your veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and the correct treatment.
Symptoms of Canine Dry Skin
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Continuous scratching is one of the chief signs of dry skin in dogs. Your dog may also be biting areas of the body. Flaking of the skin may be seen. Dry skin can also cause increased shedding, so you may find more dog hair on floors, carpets and furniture.
Medicated Shampoo
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For serious itching and dry skin problems, a medicated shampoo containing chlorhexidine, which is an antimicrobial agent, or with miconazole, an antifungal agent, may be necessary. Regular shampooing with medicated shampoos can help to reduce the irritation of dry skin and stop the scratching. Sulphur or salicylic acid products will also help soothe the skin. Benzoyl peroxide is another ingredient used for dry and itchy skin conditions in dogs.
Oatmeal Shampoo
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Oatmeal has long been used to soothe dry skin and help reduce itching in humans. Many canine product manufacturers have formulated oatmeal and other moisturizers into dog shampoos that can be very effective against dry skin. You may have to try several different brands to find the product that is best for your dog.
Moisturizing Shampoo
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Shampoos containing aloe vera, tea tree oil, goat's milk and other moisturizing agents are available at pet stores and at the veterinarian's office. They can be very helpful in providing additional oils to the dog's skin to help with simple dryness, flaking and itching.
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