Are you looking for effective home remedies for dog skin allergies itching? Then you’re in the right place.
We know how often dogs get into bushes that turn out to be bad for them (poison ivy, hello) or how their friendliness toward bees can result in an emergency vet visit. But we can’t blame them. After all, they’re our best friends, and we love them endlessly.
So if your puppy’s itching, whether from an allergy or recklessness, you should know the best homemade remedies to help your pet. Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Why Is Your Dog Itchy?
- What Are the Symptoms of a Dog Allergy?
- Home Remedies for Dog’s Skin Allergies
- When to Take Your Pooch to the Vet
Why Is Your Dog Itchy?
Scratching can lead to inflammation and skin wounding, resulting in infections. But before you can provide itch relief for your dogs, you should learn the reasons behind the issue.
Dog allergies are more common than we think. At least 20% of doggies have an allergy — from pollen to food, shampoo, and even anti-flea meds. They require special treatment or might need a good limited ingredient dog food.
But what else can cause itching in dogs? Here are the main culprits:
- Fleas
- Ticks
- Mites
- Dry skin
- Skin infections
- Autoimmune diseases
- Nuts and dairy products
Dog Allergy Symptoms
To learn how to help an itchy dog suffering from allergies, you should first identify the symptoms. It’s not just the itching. Allergic reactions can sometimes be fatal, so knowing how to diagnose one might save your doggie’s life.
Have you ever wondered why dogs lick their paws? Well, sometimes it’s a sign of an allergy — perhaps the grass outside was recently cut, or your puppy found allergy-triggering plants.
Here are a few more symptoms:
- Coughing or sneezing
- Runny nose
- Eye discharge
- Diarrhea
- Hives
- Itching
- Inflamed skin
- Eyes, face, and lips swelling
- Ear infections
Now, let’s check the most effective home remedies for dog itching.
Home Remedies for Dog’s Skin Allergies
Call your vet first if you suspect your dog’s having an allergic reaction. Depending on its severity, your pet might be in grave danger.
On a brighter note, most dog allergies aren’t life-threatening. They’ll often cause itching and rashes, but there’s more than one dog irritated skin home remedy you can use to help your pet.
Dealing With Irritants
If your pup suddenly gets itchy, it’s best to investigate any recent changes in its life. Maybe you washed its bed with a new laundry detergent. Did the groomer use a new shampoo? Are you trying out a different dry dog food?
The possibilities are endless, so it’s best to think about your specific situation. Meanwhile, you might be wondering — what can I put on my dog to relieve itching? Let’s see.
Baking Soda for Itchy Dog
Baking soda is a chemical compound that can relieve your pup’s itchiness due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Just mix soda with water in equal amounts (50/50) to form a thick paste. Then, spread it on your pup’s rash. Leave it for 20 minutes, and wash it away with lukewarm water.
But be careful. Your pooch shouldn’t eat the paste, as it can be toxic for dogs when ingested.
Coconut Oil
One of the many natural remedies for a dog’s itchy skin is coconut oil. It can penetrate the skin to hydrate, improve elasticity, and soothe the itch. Also, the oil is anti-inflammatory, so the rash will likely heal faster.
Spread some coconut oil over your puppy’s inflamed patch two times a day for a few days, and your pet should be fine.
Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs’ Skin
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is acidic, with antiseptic and antibacterial properties. On top of that, it can promote skin healing. However, dogs’ skin is more sensitive than humans’, so dilute one part vinegar with three parts water to avoid dryness.
ACV is also among the best home remedies for fleas on dogs. You can spray the diluted vinegar on your puppy’s coat, avoiding the eyes. It won’t kill the insects, but the smell will repel them.
Don’t use apple cider vinegar on open wounds. It stings and will irritate the skin even more.
Herbal Tea Soaks
Another one of the many home remedies for dog skin allergies itching is tea. Herbal tea soaks can help your pup feel better as they soothe the itching for a while.
Fill your bathtub with warm water and place a few tea bags inside for a couple of minutes. Wait for the water to cool down a bit, so it doesn’t burn your pup’s skin and bathe your dog. Appropriate teas include:
- Green tea
- Chamomile
- Calendula
Colloidal Oatmeal Baths
Here’s one more soothing bath for an itchy dog. Oats are famous for calming skin irritations and making the hair soft and shiny.
To prepare the bath, take one cup of ground oats or grind them in a food processor. Then, add them to a pot filled with six cups of room-temperature water and stir.
Once you wash your pup with its shampoo and conditioner, pour the oatmeal water over your dog and rub it into its coat. Let it sit for 10–20 minutes and towel dry it. You don’t have to wash it off.
Aloe Vera
While we know many home remedies for dog skin allergies itching, few are as effective as Aloe Vera. It will help your dog’s skin heal and soothe the irritation. You can either extract it from the plant or buy a gel.
An excellent option you can add to your dog’s diet for an upset tummy is Aloe Life’s Digestive Aid and Skin Treatment on Amazon. It’s made specifically for animals and will soften the skin and decrease the itchiness of allergies, flea bites, and skin abrasions.
Plain Unflavored Yogurt
Yogurt is full of protein and probiotics that are good for dogs. Plus, they love the taste. It’s also one of the best home remedies for dog allergies as it improves your pooch’s immune system and gut.
You can feed your pup a spoonful of yogurt once a day, but be careful not to overdo it as some dogs are lactose intolerant.
Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E can’t treat allergic reactions, but it can soothe the rashes and bring temporary comfort due to its moisturizing effects. Putting a few oil drops in your pup’s bath can help overall skin health and speed up rash healing.
You should apply dog itching remedies like Vitamin E oil sparingly and in places where the dog can’t lick it off. Too much Vitamin E in a pup’s diet can lead to blood clotting problems.
Epsom Salts
Epsom salt or bath salt is a chemical compound that can assist in the healing of your dog’s itchy skin. Also, it will improve swelling due to allergies and relieve tender skin.
Dissolve some salt in your dog’s bath to enjoy the benefits.
Licorice Root
One of the best herbal remedies for dog allergies is the licorice root. Ancient Egyptians used it for lung, kidney, and liver disease. Nowadays, it’s been found to help wound healing and soothe dermatitis symptoms like itching and inflammation.
You can apply licorice root topicals to your pup’s skin to calm the burning and itching of allergies or irritants.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel can be an excellent remedy for a dog’s itchy, dry skin. It’s a plant with anti-inflammatory properties that can heal your pup’s itchy patches faster. But excessive use can cause more dryness, so apply with care and never as a long-term solution.
You can find witch hazel in most drug stores. Make sure that it doesn’t contain alcohol, as it can irritate your dog’s skin even more.
Olive Oil
We’ve all heard about the amazing benefits of olive oil for our health. It’s rich in healthy fats, contains many antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties, and is also good for the skin.
So, if you’re wondering how to relieve your dogs’ itchy skin, you can safely turn to good old olive oil. Just rub a few drops onto the inflamed, itchy spot. But don’t overdo it, as too much oil will make your pet’s hair and skin the perfect environment for bacterial growth.
Quercetin
Quercetin is a flavonoid found in plants and foods like onions, apples, buckwheat, and red wine. This compound can soothe inflammation and provide relief, so it’s one of the fantastic natural dog itching remedies.
Quercetin usually comes in the form of pills, and you should give it to your pup on an empty stomach. But like all supplements, contact your vet before starting and ask them for more information.
CBD Topicals and Oils
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound that’s become incredibly popular in recent years for its exceptional health properties for humans and pets. The best CBD oil for dogs can soothe pain, decrease inflammation, battle stress and anxiety, and relieve itchy skin.
It’s also one of the most appropriate dog licking paws remedies since it works on the central nervous system and promotes calmness.
Rub the CBD oil or topical cream onto your pup’s skin a few times a day to help the healing.
What to Feed Dogs With Itchy Skin
If your pup has sensitive skin, it’s best to research and get the best dog food or try making a homemade meal for your pup. It should contain only safe ingredients that don’t trigger reactions. Also, look for those that combine fish oil, coconut oil, and digestive enzymes to fight inflammation.
Other home remedies for dog skin allergies itching that you can add to your pup’s diet include oatmeal, Quercetin, Yucca, sweet potatoes, and salmon. These will take care of your dog’s overall skin health and help with itching and dryness.
When to Go to the Vet
Sometimes you can’t treat dog allergies at home, which is when you should take your pet to the vet. It can happen if the reaction is severe and/or persistent. If your dog is starting to choke and has difficulty breathing — call your vet immediately.
Other symptoms that might require your vet’s attention include:
- Yeast infections — These are characterized by a repulsive, foughty smell.
- Wounds — If your pet’s scratched itself and created a wound, it’s best if your vet gives you a prescription topical to avoid infections.
- Scratching for more than a week — If none of the dog itching remedies is helping and the scratching continues, that might be a sign of a more severe condition like an autoimmune disease.
- Hairfall — It might be a sign of an immune system problem.
Wrap Up
Dog skin irritations often happen since their soft fluffy coats are an excellent environment for bacterial growth. Allergies are also common for around 20% of dogs. Fleas enjoy our pets, too, so any dog parent should know how to deal with itching and scratching.
But how can you treat these irritations and allergic reactions at home? Well, start by identifying the cause — an allergy testing kit can be helpful. Then, you can try baking soda, olive oil, witch hazel, vitamin E oil, and apple cider vinegar. Just don’t forget that you can’t solve all allergic reactions with home remedies for dog skin allergies and itching. So if the scratching persists, take your pooch to the vet.
