When a dog is itchy, it will use its nails to scratch its skin. It is important to treat the cause of itching and relieve the symptoms by using vegetable oil. If the dog cannot reach the itchy area of its body, it will rub on the couch, chairs, carpet, or other household furniture. When the itching is extreme, the dog will constantly scratch, lick or rub its skin until it is red or raw. Sometimes the dog's fur will fall out until patches of skin are exposed. If you don't see your dog exhibiting any of these symptoms but you see lost fur patches or redness, it may be scratching when you are not looking.
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Medical Causes
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Some causes of itching require treatment while other causes may only require a change or addition to diet. Conditions that cause itching and require medical treatment are fleas, ringworm, infections, hypothyroid disease and mange. If you suspect your dog's itching is caused by a medical condition, you must treat the condition while you relieve the symptoms with vegetable oil.
Other Causes
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Other issues that may cause a dog to have itchy skin are allergies, stress, seasonal changes and dry skin. It is a good idea to have your dog assessed by your veterinarian, even if you feel you know the cause. Allergies can often be solved by finding what your dog is allergic to. If you suspect allergies your veterinarian may suggest trial-and-error by changing your dog's diet or shampoo. Your veterinarian can also confirm if the itching is due to the other sources listed.
Add Oil to Dog Food
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If your dog is itching due to hypothyroid disease, chronic dry skin or seasonal changes, vegetable oil added to its diet will help relieve the symptoms from the inside out. You can add 1 to 2 tbsp. of vegetable oil to dry or wet dog food every day. The oil will add fat to your dog's diet which is essential for healthy skin.
Offer Other Foods with Oil
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Most dogs will not notice or be bothered by the change in the food texture or taste, but if your dog refuses to eat food with oil added, you can offer other types of oil-rich foods. You can add oil to white rice or dog treat recipes. You can also drizzle oil over steamed vegetables or meat.
External Application
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For conditions that require medical treatment such as fleas or certain types of mange, you can apply vegetable oil to the affected areas of skin to provide relief from itching. As long as your veterinarian has confirmed the condition is not contagious to humans, you can use your fingers to rub vegetable oil into the affected area. You will need to apply vegetable oil to the area several times per day. Vegetable oil will soften the skin and add a coating to help prevent further damage to the skin if your dog continues to scratch.
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