A dog scratching himself doesn't necessarily mean a serious problem, and it's perfectly normal for dogs to do so. Pay attention if it's overly regular or localized, as this can be a signal that something's not right. Frequent scratching and itchiness can be treated at home with readily available ingredients and a few easy steps.
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General Itching Cures
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Most commonly the culprit for general scratching is fleas or ticks, and medication for these may relieve the itch. Sometimes, however, your dog will itch if his skin dries out. If this is the case, you'll notice dandruff, poor coat condition or dry, rough skin that appears in patches. Supplementing your dog's diet with omega fatty acids will commonly cure the condition. However, this is a long term treatment and supplementing your dog's diet often takes weeks before any improvement will show.
For other scratching, especially if you aren't sure of the cause, you can temporarily soothe the itch with a cool water bath. Using Epsom salt, baking soda or colloidal oatmeal can also be effective. When you dry your dog, be sure to pat him dry and avoid rubbing the skin. If you use a hair dryer, set it on cool.
Persistent Itching Cures
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Persistent scratching that may or may not be localized is often the result of allergies or chemical irritation. It could also be a heavy flea infestation.
Persistent itching is usually accompanied by thinning fur, rashes, the presence of irritants, such as sand, pollen or plant matter, or even an infection. Dogs with thick fur that get wet may not dry entirely, leading to persistent itching that can develop into a hot spot. Again, a cool bath followed by careful drying of the dog often reduces this type of itch.
Antihistamines may be needed if the itching is due to allergens.
Sometimes, chemical reactions with certain ingredients in commercial dog foods will result in persistent itching, and switching to natural foods can help eliminate this.
Chronic Itching Cures
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Chronic itching is usually quite severe and usually the result of mange, hot spots or fungal infections. In the case of chronic itching, medication and antimicrobials are often used.
Hot spots are quite easy to see on your dog. They'll appear warm, inflamed, perhaps even raw and emitting pus and a foul odor. Often, the dog will scratch himself to the point of mutilation, which can lead to infections. Hair loss and dry or scaly skin are often also noted. Treating these requires keeping the area dry, preventing the dog from licking or scratching and possibly trimming the fur to let excess moisture escape. For severe spots with infections, or for fungal infections, keeping the area dry and applying antimicrobials is effective.
Mange can be treated topically with diluted garlic oil. Garlic contains a sulfur compound that fights mites. However, some dogs are sensitive to this, and for those dogs, licorice oil can be used instead. Yarrow, neem and lavender are also excellent for treating hot spots and mange.
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