A dog will scratch for any number of reasons. A scratching dog can indicate the presence of allergies, fleas or the beginnings of hot spots among other conditions. Relieving your dog's itching will remedy her scratching. There are many ways you can help the condition of your dog's skin--and relieve her itching--by using home remedies.
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Bathing
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Bathe your dog in a cold bath with a hydrating shampoo to help stop him stop scratching because of hot, dry itching skin. You can also add colloidal oat flour for further relief. Other bath additives include Epsom salts, sea salt and essential oils such as lavender, tea tree and white thyme oils. Epsom salts and sea salt improve the condition of your dog's skin. The essential oils help rid your dog of parasites and detrimental fungi.
Apple Cider Vinegar
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Use apple cider vinegar in a variety of ways to stop your dog from scratching herself. Spray apple cider vinegar onto itchy skin--dilute it with an equal amount of water if your dog has open wounds because of hot spots or scratching. The apple cider vinegar will help dry up any skin eruptions. Use vinegar diluted with an equal amount of warm water after your dog's bath to help deter scratching caused by different parasites. Sponge the diluted apple cider vinegar onto your dog and allow her to drip dry. To help stop scratching by preventing ear infections, clean your dog's ears with apple cider vinegar once a week.
Dietary Supplements
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Prevent scratching from flea infestation by feeding your dog a small amount of raw, pressed garlic and brewer's yeast daily. Supplementing his diet with essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids will help him to have healthier (and less itchy skin) from the inside out. This may take a couple of weeks to be effective.
Provide your dog with a healthier diet to remedy his scratching. Many dog foods have additives and fillers which are not natural to a dog's diet and can cause skin allergies and itching. Try switching your dog to a dog food with no fillers such as corn, to a home cooked diet, or even to a "raw" diet of meats, bones and fresh vegetables.
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