Many times, dogs experience a dry skin, which leads to itching. This article lists some dry skin remedies for dogs which will definitely help your dog have a soft and supple skin.
Your dog’s skin might become dry due to several reasons. You can cure it by trying various home remedies. Winter season is the most common time for dry skin on dogs. Moreover, improper diet, poor hygiene, and other medical conditions might be contributory factors. There are many easy dry skin remedies for dogs which you can try at home to improve the health of your dog’s skin.
Remedy # 1
You must see that your dog’s diet is high in protein and that it contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 to help in the proper growth of fur to keep its skin moist and supple. This will also ensure good health. Your dog’s dry and itchy skin might be due to an allergy to grains (fillers) usually found in lower-end dog food. So switching to a meat-based food is a great option.
Remedy # 2
Supplementing the pet’s food with 1-3 tablespoons of flax seed oil every day for about six weeks is another remedy. Once you see improvement, you can reduce the dosage. Most of the high-end dog foods already contain flax seed that can improve your dog’s coat. You can also opt for salmon oil or olive oil, which are cheaper alternatives to flax seed oil.
Remedy # 3
Remember never to over bathe your dog. Though bathing is a necessary part of dog grooming, doing it too often can worsen the problem as it strips the essential oils off the fur. So it is best to bathe dogs as little as possible and use a shampoo containing oatmeal or Vitamin E. Also use a moisturizing rinse or conditioner especially meant for dogs, after shampooing. Never rub your dog with the towel as rubbing can further aggravate this problem; only pat it dry.
Remedy # 4
After you bathe your dog and pat it dry with the towel, apply some baby oil or olive oil over the fur and wrap your dog up in a warm towel. This will help the oil soak in. This is one of the best home remedies for dogs with dry skin. Oatmeal colloidal works best for dogs with eczema.
Remedy # 5
One of the easy natural remedies is mixing oatmeal with water and rubbing it over your dog’s skin and coat. Leave it for ten minutes and then rinse it off with water. If there is a problem in rinsing out the oatmeal from the dog’s coat, then use more water in the mix and strain the oatmeal before you use it.
Remedy # 6
If your dog’s skin is dry and itchy, then use water mixed with baking soda to relieve the itch. If the dog’s feet are itchy, then mix Epsom salts in cool water and dip its feet in the water for 5-10 minutes. Make sure that your dog does not drink it. Sometimes, ear mites in dogs might cause excessive scratching in and around the ears. In this case, soak a cotton ball in mineral oil and swab the ear canal gently. If your dog tends to catch fleas more often, then include yeast and garlic in the diet. However, the amount of garlic to be included must be clarified with the vet before feeding it to your dog.
Remedy # 7
Using fish oil is one of the effective remedies. Fish oil contains essential fatty acids that keep the skin and hair moisturized and soft. It is available in the form of capsules as well. Give your dog a fish oil capsule or add a tablespoon of it to its food a few times a week. You can also apply this oil to the skin topically and then comb through the fur to moisturize the skin and relieve the itching problem.
Always keep your dog’s skin moist. Remember, just as your skin needs constant moisture, so does your dog’s. Applying any oil high in Vitamin E on your dog’s skin regularly is one of the best remedies. Brushing your dog’s coat more often will help remove loose fur and dander that can irritate its skin. Maintaining regular hygiene is the most important element of dog care. Also, keeping the dog clothes, collars, and kennel clean is very essential. Remember, you must always consult your veterinarian for a diagnosis, especially in the case of skin tears, lesions, or hair loss.
