Just like us human, dogs can also feel itchy. You can observe this when your buddy start scratching almost non-stop. They would feel very uncomfortable and would not enjoy their daily activities. The causes can be due to environment, flea or even food allergies.
In case you have not read my previous post on natural remedies to cure itchy dog skin, click here to read (it was written two years but it is still very relevant).
Alright, if you observe that your dog is constantly scratching or biting himself and you are asking yourself what can I put on my dog to relieve itching, you are at the right spot. In this detail blog post, I will attempt to help pet owner to take care of their itching dogs due to allergies.
What is itching?
Itching is also known as pruritus. It is very common in dogs and makes them uncomfortable. Commonly, it is associated with skin allergies and flea allergy dermatitis. Itching appears as red, inflamed areas of skin that may also lead to skin infection called pyoderma. In severe cases, dogs may develop scabs, hair loss and bleeding due to self-trauma. Your dog experiences mild to severe itching. It mostly occurs at the muzzle, paw regions, around the eyes, ankles, wrists and armpits.
Common causes of skin allergies itching
Here are some common skin conditions that can irritate your dog’s skin and causes severe itching:
Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD):
Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is a common cause of allergic reaction in dogs. In this condition, flea’s saliva can trigger the immune reaction. So, the dog’s immune system becomes hyperactive and causes itching in dogs. Other symptoms of flea allergy dermatitis are red, inflamed skin and scabbed.
Seasonal Allergies:
In seasonal allergies, allergy can be developed in certain seasons. Itching and ear infections are common in dogs. Your pet may also experience red, swollen eyes, runny nose and sneezing. For a quick check, you can see the dog’s muzzle, underarms, ankles, wrists and toes because these areas show signs of seasonal allergies.
Food allergies:
Your dog’s itching is due to food allergies. Food allergy occurs when a dog’s immune system reacts to certain foods. The common food by which dogs are allergic include beef, egg, chicken, soy, pork and fish. The symptoms are usually itching, diarrhea (remember to check how to stop dog’s diarrhea naturally here: https://blogthatdog.com/how-to-stop-dog-diarrhea-naturally/) and vomiting. In severe cases, your dog may experience weight loss, aggression and lack of energy. It is also important to distinguish between food allergies and food intolerance. In true food allergies, facial swelling and hives can be seen on a dog’s face.
Contact dermatitis:
In contact dermatitis, dog’s skin may be allergic to substances such as shampoo or soap. Your dog’s skin is irritated, and he scratches the skin a lot due to severe itching. The symptoms can be itching, sore skin, scaling and inflamed patches in the skin.
Home remedies for dog’s skin allergies
Alright, so now that you understand common skin conditions of your dog, let’s focus on remedies to relieve your dog’s itches at home as following.
Oatmeal bath for itchy skin:
Oatmeal bath is very effective and can soothe your dog’s itchy skin. It also reduces inflammation and removes the allergens that are attached with dog’s fur. Oatmeal contains chemicals including avenanthramides and phenols that have anti-inflammatory properties. It is an old remedy to treat dry, itchy skin of the dogs. Oatmeal can fight against irritation. It only takes 10 to 15 minutes to cool down red, allergic skin.
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You can grind the plain oatmeal into powder. Now add water into this powder and make a paste. Now, apply it on your dog’s skin. It is nontoxic, so there is no danger if your dog licks it during bath. You can also directly apply oatmeal paste only on those areas that are affected by allergies.
Coconut oil:
Many natural beauty products contain coconut oil because it has antifungal and antibacterial properties. It is an excellent moisturizer for dogs and it penetrates the dog’s skin. Dogs who are suffering from allergies, eczema and yeast infections can get benefits from coconut oil. You can also directly apply coconut oil on your dog’s skin. Place coconut oil into the refrigerator, so it becomes solid.
For quick relief, you can massage with the coconut oil on your dog’s skin that is affected with it. You can also mix a small scoop of coconut oil into our dog’s food. You will notice improvement in your dog’s coat and also relief the itching.
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Apple cider vinegar:
Apple cider vinegar is a tasty ingredient but it also has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It provides relief from dry, itchy skin. Apple cider vinegar is also used as an antisepticthat treats skin infections naturally. So, it is effective to reduce inflammation and skin irritations. For this, you can simply combine 50 percent apple cider vinegar and 50 percent water in a bottle. Now, spray the targeted areas with this solution. If your dog’s paws are affected by an allergy, you can soak your dog’s paws in the solution for 5 minutes.
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It is important to not apply apple cider solution on a dog’s wound or raw skin. It can cause severe pain and worsen the symptoms. Apple cider vinegar has an acidic nature, so avoid getting into your dog’s eyes because it can cause severe irritation.
Aloe vera:
Aloe vera is a powerful healing agent and reduces redness. The gel extracted from the leaves of aloe vera has the anti-bacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties that relieve the itching of the dog’s skin. Aloe vera contains prostaglandin that is helpful to reduce the itchiness, allergic reaction and also increase the wound healing process.
You can apply aloe vera on your dog’s affected spots. It can be extracted from aloe vera plants but many shops also have 100% natural aloe vera. You can buy it and use it on your dog’s skin. The use of aloe vera topically and orally for your dog is safe. Aloe vera gel can help to boost the immune system. Therefore, it can be used on the dog’s skin infection and allergies.
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Baking soda:
Baking soda can help to treat rashes, itchy skin and also reduce redness. Combine baking soda with water and make a thick paste. It is very effective to reduce inflammation of the skin. You have to mix 50 percent baking soda with 50 percent water. Then, apply the paste on the dog’s skin. Leave the paste on the dog’s skin for 20 minutes and then rinse off.
If you want to make a natural moisturizer for your dog. You can add coconut oil in baking soda and apply it on your dog’s skin. If your dog experiences itching in the whole body, you can add baking soda to its bath. It can reduce the alleviating itchiness in your dog’s skin.
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Unsweetened yogurt:
Healthy diet plays an important role in treating these skin allergies. Unsweetened, plain yogurt can be very beneficial to treat your dog. Some allergies are exacerbated from your dog’s digestive system. So, the probiotics present in the yogurt help to improve gut health. This natural remedy is good for those dogs who are suffering from rashes, allergies and hives.
If you feed your small dog one teaspoon of yogurt and a large dog two teaspoons of yogurt once a week, it improves your dog’s gut health. Most of the dogs like the taste of the yogurt but you can also mix yogurt with other foods to help digestion. Moreover, you can also give probiotic supplements to your dogs.
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Chamomile and Herbal tea:
Chamomile and herbal tea have the properties to cool down the irritated skin. These are best for dogs who have hot, itchy patches of the skin. Chamomile can reduce minor rashes and irritations of the skin. If your dog experiences itching, fill up your dog’s tub with warm water and steep some of the tea bags for three minutes into the water. Now, you can remove the tea bags and let your dog soak into the tub for at least five minutes.
For smaller patches, you can steep one or two tea bags into the cup of warm water. Once the water is cooled down, you can pour it on your dog’s skin. It quickly fixes the problem. Don’t rinse the dog’s skin and let it dry.
Epsom salt:
Licking the paws is commonly due to itching and allergies. In this condition, magnesium rich Epsom salt can be effective to relieve itching. Epsom has anti-inflammatory properties, so it is beneficial to use for soaking, and cleaning the wounds. They salts can reduce the pressure of the wounds and allow them to heal.
To create the soak for your dog, you can mix Epsom salts with warm water. Then, apply it on your dog for 15 minutes. It is very effective to relieve the inflammation and itchiness.
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Final words
Dog allergies are tough and it makes your dog uncomfortable. Your dog can fight against the allergies when they have a healthy, solid and balanced body. Itching is the sign of many skin diseases. There are many medications available to treat these conditions. But it is important to start with natural home remedies. It is also necessary to provide a proper healthy diet to your dog that makes him or her stronger. The diet should contain omega 3 fatty acids and carbohydrates that can soothe your dog’s skin. Omega 3 fatty acids are effective because they can reduce inflammation, promote healthy skin and also improve digestion. Therefore, you should focus on your dog’s diet to make sure that your dog gets the essential ingredient in his or her diet.
If your dog’s itching is not cured by home remedies, it is the time to take him or her to the veterinarian for proper checkup. Moreover, these home remedies are best to treat the itching due to skin allergies.