Home Remedies for Skin Problems in Dogs

Skin problems in dogs can be caused by a number of disorders. While some are serious and require veterinarian care, others, such as allergies and dry skin, are treatable with a variety of home remedies. If the condition is severe, veterinary professionals should be consulted before starting any treatment.

  1. Home Remedies for Dog Skin Problems

    • Scratching and licking the skin are often the first signs of the skin problems. This may indicate dry skin, which is often caused by a lack of fat in the diet, according to the website petalive.com. Feeding a high-quality commercial dog food, or adding supplements that include essential fatty acids, can improve skin problems caused by nutritional problems. In many cases, this will provide a long-term solution to dry skin but does not provide immediate relief.

      Allergies can also cause skin problems. Allergic reactions can cause painful and itchy lesions of the skin. Limiting exposure to the allergen will ease the problem long term but not provide immediate relief. A cool bath will provide pain relief. Add oatmeal to the bath to provide additional relief.

      Hot spots, areas of acute itching, can be caused by allergies or by a skin infection. A mixture of aspirin, alcohol and water can provide relief. According to petalive.com, dissolve two aspirin in rubbing alcohol and mix with water and tea. The mixture is dabbed on the area of the hot spot as needed for the relief of pain.

      According to the Web site thedailypuppy.com, several herbal treatments can be topically applied to treat skin problems. Many work as a mild antibiotic as well as moisturizing the skin.

      The site recommends calendula extract, fish oil and tea tree oil.

      Calendula extract is classified as an antibacterial agent. It can be applied to hot spots or brushed into the entire coat. Fish oil does not kill bacteria but does soothe discomfort and helps the body build essential oils.

      Tea tree oil serves several purposes. It is thought to have antiseptic properties but will also clean allergens from the fur while providing pain and itch relief.