How to Make an Oatmeal Bath for a Dog

Just like people, dogs can get itchy skin. Itching can be a sign of dietary allergies, contact allergies, skin diseases such as mange, or itchiness can be a result of dry skin. Your can give your dog an oatmeal bath to reduce its discomfort. Oatmeal nourishes, moisturizes and soothes the skin. An oatmeal bath leaves an invisible protective oatmeal coating on the skin, protecting it from further itching. Note: If the itching is caused by a medical condition, the dog should be seen by a veterinarian for treatment.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 cup plain uncooked oatmeal Blender Bathtub

1. Blend one cup of plain uncooked oatmeal in a blender until it is a fine powder. Powdering the oatmeal makes the oatmeal dissolve in the water easily. Any type of oatmeal is suitable, as long as it is plain oatmeal. Do not use oatmeal that contains flavorings or sugar.

2. Fill up a bathtub with lukewarm water to a level that will reach the middle of your dog's chest. Test the temperature of the water on the inside of your wrist. The water should feel comfortably warm. If the water feels cold or hot, adjust the temperature accordingly.

3. Add the cup of powdered oatmeal to the bath water. Use your hand to swish the oatmeal powder around in the water to dissolve the powder. Make sure to mix the oatmeal powder thoroughly so that it does not clump at the bottom of the bathtub. The bath water will turn a milky white color as the oatmeal dissolves.

4. Recheck the temperature of the bath water with the inside of your wrist to make sure that it is still at a comfortable temperature for your dog and adjust it if necessary.

5. Place your dog in the bath water to soak. With your hands, gently scoop some of the oatmeal bath water onto to your dog's back. Continue to do this every few minutes. Allow your dog to soak in the oatmeal bath for 10 to 15 minutes. Talk to your dog, scoop water on its back and pet it while it soaks.

6. Remove your dog from the oatmeal bath without rinsing the mixture off and gently pat it dry with a clean towel. The oatmeal mixture will leave an invisible protective and nourishing coating on your dog's skin that will help stop further itching.

Tips & Warnings

• You can give your dog an oatmeal bath once a day for up to three days. And once a month thereafter. More frequent baths can irritate your dog's skin. For extra skin soothing, apply pure aloe vera gel to your dog's skin after the oatmeal bath. Check your dog to rule out fleas as a cause of skin irritation. Some dogs are allergic to flea bites and will exhibit extreme itching when even a few fleas are present. A natural herbal flea product or a flea comb can be used to remove fleas from dogs with sensitive skin. If your dog has chronic itching problems, speak with a veterinarian about possible food allergies. Some dogs with food allergies experience chronic skin itching.
• Take your dog to a veterinarian for treatment if the itching is not relieved after three days. If your dog has any open sores, take it to the veterinarian.

Resources

• Flea Comb
• Natural Flea Control Methods
• Natural Balance Allergy Diet Dog Food