Home Remedy for a Dog's Itching Skin

Dogs can scratch itchy skin, causing painful sores.

Dogs can get itchy skin for a variety of reasons, including allergic reactions to their food or simply dry skin from being indoors too long. Trips to the veterinarian's office can become expensive, and there are home remedies you can try that can clear up your dog's itchy skin without the expense of prescription medications. These simple methods will make your dog's coat shinier, and his skin more moisturized.

Things You'll Need

• Olive oil
• 1 cup oatmeal
• Towel
• Tea tree oil
• Cotton ball

Instructions

1. Add 1 tbsp. of olive oil to your dog's food three times a week. The olive oil will moisturize the dog's skin and make his coat shinier. The increased level of moisture in the skin will decrease dryness, flakiness and itching.

2. Mix 1 cup of oatmeal with 1 cup of water to form a paste. Use your fingers to apply the oatmeal paste to any itchy spots on the dog's skin. Leave the oatmeal on the skin for 10 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water. Dry the dog with the towel. Do not use a hair dryer on the dog's coat because it can dry out the skin and make it itchy again. Repeat once a week until the treatment improves the moisture level of the dog's skin.

3. Dip a cotton ball in tea tree oil so that one side is wet. Work your fingers through your dog's coat to find the flaky patches of dry skin, or observe the areas where your dog frequently scratches. Run the cotton ball over those areas to apply a light layer of tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic that will prevent infections resulting from your dog scratching the skin. Keep an eye on your dog, and don't let him lick the tea tree oil off. Re-apply the tea tree oil after each oatmeal bath.

References

• Fun Times Guide: Dogs
• Vet Info: What is the Best Dog Dry Skin Remedy?