How to Soothe Your Dog's Itchy Skin
The outdoors can be difficult for dogs suffering from allergies. The arrival of warmer weather raises airborne allergen levels. Tree pollens, flower pollens and spores in full bloom are carried by the wind; they either land on your dog or on the grass --- which he then rolls around on. An itchy dog will scratch incessantly, often until he loses hair or causes sores or other wounds. You should work with your veterinarian to determine the exact cause of the itching, but there are a few things you can do to give your dog immediate relief.
Instructions
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Get a spray bottle and fill it with equal parts apple cider vinegar and water. Spray it all over your dog, being careful not to get any in his eyes. This will balance your dog's skin pH to stop the itching. Apple cider vinegar can be added to your dog's food, but more than likely your dog will not like the smell.
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Administer an over-the-counter antihistamine like Benadryl. Talk to your veterinarian to find out the correct dosage for your dog's weight.
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Keep your house clean and use an air purifier. This will give your dog an allergy-free area in which to rest. During seasonal allergy flare-ups, you may want to limit your dog's exposure to the outdoors, especially to areas where there is a lot of pollen-shedding foliage. If you don't want to keep your dog indoors, be sure to hose him down after he's been rolling around in the grass or running through fields or forested areas.
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Give your dog an oatmeal bath. Buy an oatmeal shampoo made for pets or an over-the-counter oatmeal bath like Aveeno --- make sure it doesn't contain perfumes, dyes or other irritating chemicals. Or simply pour 1/2 cup of oatmeal into a porous material like an old sock. Tie off the material and place the sachet in the bathwater. Give the sachet a few squeezes if necessary; the water should be milky before you put your pet in the tub. Have your dog soak in the oatmeal bath for 10 minutes, then rinse off the oatmeal with cool water.
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Ask your veterinarian to do an allergy skin test to find out which individual allergens are causing your dog's problems. Then your veterinarian can provide specific treatment, which in the long run will be more effective than other measures.
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Tips & Warnings
Wash your dog daily
Use cool or lukewarm water when rinsing off an itchy dog --- hot water can further irritate sensitive skin.
If your dog has a skin infection with noticeable sores, bumps or scaly areas, consult a vet. Treatment might include medicated shampoos or antibiotics, which you can't get over the counter.
