How to Treat Dry Skin on Dogs Itching Skin

Dogs suffer from itchy skin for many of the same reasons that we do, such as food and environmental allergies and changes in weather. Unfortunately, it's often difficult to isolate the cause of a dog's dry, itchy skin. It's crucial to treat symptoms as they arise, though, because many dogs will often scratch their skin incessantly, sometimes to the point of drawing blood. To treat dry skin on an itchy dog, there are both daily and monthly steps that can help.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dog brush
• Dog shampoo, formulated for sensitive skin
• Olive oil

1. Brush your dog with long, gentle strokes for 5 minutes each day. This will rid his skin of dead cells and loosen fur that might exacerbate dry skin.

2. Coat your hands in a thin film of olive oil and massage it into your dog's skin, focusing on the driest sections. Keep your dog calm and relaxed by using soothing praise or by rubbing him for at least 10 minutes to allow the oil time to penetrate his skin.

3. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to your dog's dinner to help his skin from the inside out.

4. Bathe your dog once a month with a dog shampoo specially formulated for dry, sensitive skin. Unless absolutely necessary, do not bathe your dog more than once a month, because you can inadvertently strip his skin of natural oils.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider using a cortisone cream to alleviate the pain in the itchiest spots on your dog. However, be sure to keep a close watch on him after you apply the ointment; you want to make sure he doesn't lick it off.
• Dry skin is often a symptom of a food allergy. Try testing out a different dog food or consult your vet to make sure you're not treating the symptoms of a more severe allergic reaction.

References

• Flaky, Oily, or Dry Skin in Dogs
• Dry Skin
• Maintaining Your Dog's Skin pH

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