5 Tips on how to relieve itchiness in dogs & why you must

Itching and scratching in dogs – it’s a common concern for many pet parents. Most dogs will experience some kind of skin irritation in their lifetime. In certain cases, it can be severe and cause serious stress to you and your pet (if not serious health issues), so it’s important that all dog parents learn how to relieve itchiness in dogs.

If your dog is experiencing a lot of itchiness on a regular basis, it’s time to take action. In addition to speaking with your veterinarian, we’ve compiled a list of things you can do to help relieve your pet’s itchy discomfort and stop that irritating practice.

Remember that all dogs are different, and the same goes for their skin too. Learning how to relieve itchiness in dogs will involve researching multiple dog itch treatments. What works for one dog may not help another: for some just a simple medicated dog shampoo may suffice, while other cases may require stronger treatment. Having a few tricks up your sleeve means you can soothe your itchy dog and help him feel comfortable again.

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What Causes Itchiness In Dogs?

Itchiness in dogs can be caused by a variety of things. One of the most common causes is dry skin. This can be likely in the more extreme seasons, like the hottest months of summer and coldest months of winter, but there other causes of dog’s dry skin.

If you live in an area with consistently low humidity, you may also notice your dog has dry skin. Dry skin can make your pet extremely uncomfortable, as it can effect a small area or the majority of his body. Make sure your dog is always hydrated in a dry environment.

Veterinarians warn that some of the causes of dog’s dry skin (of which itchiness is one of the symptoms) may be very serious and dangerous to a pet’s health. Usually, if your dog’s itchiness is very severe and doesn’t go away, it’s best to do some tests at your local vet clinic. If you need ideas on what may be wrong, take a look at this list of potential causes.

“Dry skin might not seem like a big deal, but it can actually be a sign of a much larger problem in your dog. Dry skin is a symptom associated with a wide range of conditions, from allergies and parasites to serious medical disorders like Cushing’s disease and hypothyroidism.” – AKC.org

Another common cause of scratching is allergies. Like us, dogs can be allergic to certain environmental allergens. Alternatively, some products can cause an allergic reaction in your dog, either food, treats or even dog toys and chews.

While allergies can cause other symptoms as well, the most common one that tends to show up immediately is itchy skin. Other symptoms of canine allergies can include:

• itchy, red eyes
• runny nose
• sneezing
• itchy ears
• frequent ear infections
• diarrhea

Finally, bug bites and stings can cause scratching. Your pet is exposed to all kinds of pests outside, including mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and bees. If your dog receives a bite or sting from one of these insects, they are likely to experience some swelling and itching along with it. Make sure your pooch is always protected against fleas, ticks and other parasites.

It can be especially bad if your dog is allergic to these bugs. A skin rash could develop due to an allergic reaction to the bite or sting and cause your pet’s entire body to be itchy and uncomfortable. That would be your cue to get to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

READ THIS: How I Keep My Dogs Skin and Coat Healthy

5 Tips on How To Relieve Itchiness In Dogs

1. Baking Soda to Relieve the Itch

A natural itch remedy for pets is baking soda. Baking soda is great because it is versatile and is usually something you already have on hand. It’s an easy option if your pet is suddenly attacked with severe scratching!

People have been using baking soda to relieve itchiness for centuries.

For bug bites or concentrated areas of irritation in your dog, you can make a baking soda paste with water, which is very simple. After that, just put a thick layer of this paste over the irritated areas on your dog’s skin and let it sit for about 20 minutes.

Hang out with your pooch so he doesn’t try to lick the mixture, rendering it ineffective! After waiting, rinse it off with water. Your pet should have relief now.

For all over itching, prepare a slightly warm bath for your pet. Add one cup of baking soda to the tub and mix it into the water. Put your pet in the water and let him soak for a bit. Make sure you pour the water over his entire body for the best benefit.

FULL GUIDE: How To Bathe A Dog 101 – Step-By-Step Instructions

2. Hydrocortisone Cream for Itchiness

If the itching is due to a bug bite or allergic reaction, hydrocortisone cream can be a good solution to bring your dog relief from itchiness. HC should not be used on a regular basis for something like dry skin, as a tolerance can be built up and its effectiveness can be reduced.

Hydrocortisone cream can be purchased over-the-counter, and you can use the same kind as humans do. However, there are certain brands of hydrocortisone cream that are designed specifically for dogs and are available for purchase on sites like Amazon.

All you have to do with the cream is to put a small amount on the affected area on your pup’s skin, and rub it in gently for a few seconds.

Be aware that your pet may decide to lick off the cream, and can still scratch the area. Stay with your dog to keep him from licking off the cream.

When you’re using any type of topical treatments on your dog, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on them and try to encourage them to leave the area alone in order to let the medicine work. It also may be dangerous for pets to consume those products.

ALSO TRY THIS: Eco Dog Care Anti-Itch Dog Shampoo

3. Brushing Your Dog to Help Him

When learning how to relieve itchiness in dogs, there is a simple trick that can be very effective. It’s also possibly the cheapest method of itchiness relief for dogs. If your pet is having trouble with dry skin and dandruff, a great brushing session is in order.

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Knocking out all your dog’s loose fur will let your pet’s skin receive better air flow, reducing scratching. Brushing also removes dander, a common allergen and irritant.

The brushing action will also spread your dog’s natural oils throughout his fur, making it less likely for him to have one specific irritated area. Many owners found this to be the reason for their dog’s skin irritation and itchiness.

Brushing your pet will also stimulate his skin and increase blood flow to the area you are currently grooming. This can help the area clear itself out and heal. Brushing one spot will remove any knots and tangles that have built up, causing irritation and pulling that can lead to itching. Finally, dogs simply love being brushed, especially when they’re itchy.

Remember, when brushing your dog you want to be gentle. Brushing too hard can pull fur, break the hairs, or even scratch the skin, leading to more problems.

4. Try an Oatmeal Bath

For itching skin, one of the first things to try is oatmeal. Oatmeal is naturally soothing and easy to find, too. The best way to use it is to prepare a slightly warm bath with oatmeal.

You can use regular oatmeal from the grocery and grind it up at home, or oatmeal specifically designed for bathing. Either way, pour the oatmeal into the tub and then let your dog soak for a bit. It’ll be instant relief for him.

If you need more convenience, try using an oatmeal dog shampoo and even an effective pet conditioner for dogs. This is also a good choice for dogs with chronic itching problems. Using oatmeal-based products not only provides your pup with relief, it also helps you know you aren’t using something they may have a reaction to.

Alternatively, you can also make your own homemade dog shampoo. It’s pretty simple and many owners choose to do it themselves. It saves you a little money- you also know what type of ingredients you’re putting there, and that they’re safe for your canine.

However, other commercially made dog shampoos that are safe, organic and natural may be a better option since they also use specific ingredients to treat itchiness and dry skin problems in dogs. Make sure you know which type of dog shampoo your pet needs.

5. Antihistamines May Help Too

For more severe itching, over-the-counter antihistamines may be the solution. This is going to be something like Benadryl. Costco’s brand Kirkland sells the most popular and cost-effective antihistamines which many owners use for their dogs’ and cats’ allergies.

Remember: Because Benadryl for dogs is still considered a medication which may affect your pets in different ways, it’s recommended you contact your veterinarian before administering a pill or liquid to your canine. You never know how it may affect them.

Although Benadryl is safe for dogs, you want to make sure you are dosing correctly and don’t have any other concerns about medication interaction. The most common dosage for something like Benadryl is .05-1 mg per pound of body weight, according to PetMD.

This means you may need children’s varieties of the medication, since most human Benadryl tablets are much bigger. You can also break a tablet in half as needed. Only give your dog a dose of Benadryl every 8 hours. This medication is likely to make him a bit sleepy and loopy- keep an eye on him to make sure he is okay and stays safe indoors.

All dogs scratch at some point – it’s part of being a pup! But if your pet is excessively itching and biting his skin and fur, learning how to relieve itchiness in dogs is imperative. They’ll likely help your Fido feel more like his usual self. If none of the above solutions work, or if your pet’s condition worsens, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

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