Your dog is a playful, outgoing creature, but lately, you have noticed something odd. He may be itching, scratching and biting himself more often. He may lick himself endlessly. He may even have strange markings or patches on his body that were not there before.
It is likely your dog is suffering from a skin condition.
If your dog is eating, playful and in no way acting abnormal but appears to be annoyed by skin irritation, there are a number of holistic remedies you can try before turning to medication from your veterinarian. These remedies help to cool and heal affected skin, ease discomfort and, hopefully, prevent the skin condition from coming back.
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Causes of Skin Irritation in Dogs
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The majority of skin conditions in dogs are caused by either allergies or infection in opened skin due to excessive itching or biting. While thyroid problems can also contribute to certain skin conditions, most skin problems arise because of allergies, causing a vicious cycle of irritation and scratching, which gives rise to more irritation.
Skin irritations can take on many forms and have multiple causes. Hair loss, red or discolored patches, bumps and swelling are just some indicators of a problem. Sources of skin irritation in dogs include food allergies; the presence of a bacterial, yeast or fungal organism on the skin; an environmental irritant; parasites; or even your dog's own unexplainable compulsion to lick, itch or bite the same area of his body over and over.
Holistic Treatment for Environmental Irritants
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The first type of holistic treatment involves removing substances from the dog's environment that might be causing the skin irritation. Watch your dog and try to pick up on a pattern. Do you find your dog itching and scratching after an afternoon playing in the woods or rolling around in dirt? Does the dog sleep near a plug-in air freshener? Eliminate suspected activities for a while to see if you notice any difference in your dog's skin and itching frequency.
In addition, pay attention to the weather. Does your dog tend to itch more when he's been out in the rain or during a temperature extreme such as a hot summer day or a cold winter evening? Extreme heat, moisture or dryness may be contributing to your dog's itching.
Holistic Treatment for Food-Related Irritants
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The second holistic treatment involves determining whether your dog's skin irritation might be caused by food allergies. Numerous dogs may be allergic to artificial fillers in dog food, grains and even protein. It may be necessary to strip your dog's diet down to a hypoallergenic diet of food combinations (in either dog food or natural form), such as lamb and potato, egg and rice, venison and potato or fish and potato. If the skin irritation improves or clears up, gradually start the dog back on other food sources that consist of chicken, beef or whole grains to determine which of these foods might be causing the irritation.
Hands-on Holistic Treatments
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If your dog does not appear to be contracting skin irritation from food or the environment, one holistic option is to try a cool bath with colloidal oatmeal. Purchase uncooked, fresh oats--no instant oatmeal--and grind the oats in a blender until fully pulverized. Then, sprinkle into the bath water and allow the dog to either soak or wash in the water for a bit. Do not worry if the oatmeal clumps. Rinse your dog thoroughly to ensure no oatmeal is stuck in his fur.
Another holistic option is to feed your dog anti-inflammatory foods, such as foods or supplements rich in Omega-3s. You may purchase specially made Omega-3 supplements for dogs or feed your dog foods rich in Omega-3s, such as wild-caught salmon. While Omega-3s are known to reduce inflammation, they typically will not instantly stop itching, so it is important to continue monitoring your dog to prevent further lesions caused by itching.
Also, try giving your dog a bit of yogurt at every feeding. Yogurt contains natural flora that help your dog's digestive system achieve the right balance of bacteria, which can, in turn, help ease inflammatory skin reactions. Small dogs up to 15 pounds only need 1 tsp. of yogurt per day, and this can be adjusted according to your dog's weight.
When to Consult the Vet
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Sometimes, your dog's skin conditions may not be able to be treated using holistic means, especially if caused by a bacteria or virus. While the above holistic treatments can all be used in some form based on your dog's needs, they may need to be combined with prescribed interventions to fully eradicate the cause of the irritation.
If your dog continues to itch despite performing the above treatments, if skin irritation doesn't go away or gets worse or if your dog begins to show signs of sickness such as listlessness or not eating or drinking, contact your veterinarian for an appointment immediately.
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