Nothing beats being an owner of multiple breeds of dogs over the course of a long life when it comes to learning how to handle various ailments that affect dogs. And when it comes to the various ailments that can affect dog health, one of the easiest to overlook is the aggravation of itchy skin. Let’s face facts: dogs scratch themselves so often that after awhile, you no longer even notice they are doing it. But every scratch is stimulated by an itch, and you wouldn’t like it if your dog had the power to relieve your itching and did nothing about it. So pay attention and try one of these effective home treatments for relieving itchy skin driving your dog crazy.
- Oatmeal
You almost certainly have heard about how an oatmeal bath provides soothing relief to the itchy skin of humans, right? Well, guess what? Oatmeal has the power to relieve the itchy skin of your dog, too. If you want to stop the scratching of your pet, go with oatmeal. If the idea of buying enough oatmeal to fill your tub so you can wash your Great Dane seems less than enticing, understand that you always have the option of washing with an oatmeal-based shampoo. Colloidal oatmeal mixed into tub water creates a milky substance that may be preferable to regular oatmeal for dogs with itchy skin covered by long hair or a knotted coat. Of course, you just might discover that your itchy dog actually enjoys the feeling of bathing in the thicker solution created with breakfast oatmeal. And the soothing effect on the skin is one aspect of dog health that really should not be ignored.
- Epsom Salt
Just as an oatmeal bath can soothe the itchy skin on you as well as your dog, so can warm bath water mixed with Epsom salt provide relief to the itchy feet of both. One tell-tale sign that your dog’s paws are driving him up with the wall with itching is constant licking. An even better sign is a dog that keep nibbling at his paws as if here trying to eat corn on the cob. If the skin relief your itchy dog needs is located on those pads, just let him soak in tub of warm water into which you have mixed about two cups of Epsom salt. The bigger the paws of the dog, the more Epsom salt you should add. Epsom salt can definitely be called in for service to improve dog health, but using it also comes with a dog health warning: Do whatever it takes to keep your dog from drinking the water since Epsom salt can act as a laxative. And that’s one mess you do not want to have to clean up.
- Antihistamines
You know those pink brand name pills that you take when your skin starts itching? The ones that make most people drowsy? Well, that pink antihistamine pill or any of its way more affordable generic versions are actually recommended by vets for dogs with itchy skin. Two caveats to this relief recommendation, however. One, first contact your own vet to make sure that such a treatment is recommended for your particular dog’s breed. Secondly, make sure you get the right medicine and use the correct dosage.
- Prevention
In addition to these measures, it pays to take preventative steps to keep your dog from suffering. Clear away any prickly plants in the yard where dogs like to play. Vacuum regularly to reduce the effects of fleas, dust mites and pollen on inside dogs. And don’t forget that dogs can develop allergic responses to a variety of things around the house or yard just like humans.
