When you see that your beloved pet scratches excessively, it is natural to start wondering what is wrong. The most common reason behind an itchy dog is dry skin. While there are several other conditions of the coat and skin that could be contributing to irritation and itchiness, you can always start with simple steps to soothe your pup’s skin and reduce the discomfort.
The dirt and oils that accumulate on the dog coat may cause some of the skin problems that you are concerned with. There are a lot of potential causes for dry skin, making diagnosing skin conditions in dogs difficult. Dry skin can hit when the weather changes – or even when conditions change inside the dogs home environment. One of the most effective things you can do is to use a dog-special shampoo to clean your pet followed by a high-quality dog conditioner to moisturize and soothe the dry skin.
There are a number of conditions or problems beyond weather that could cause dry, scratchy dog skin during the winter. Vets really caution that some causes of itchy skin on dogs can be severe, and could cause medical problems if left untreated. In addition to parasites, more serious chronic health conditions including food and environmental allergies, Cushing’s disease, and hypothyroidism may dry your dogs skin as well.
Two major metabolic conditions that may contribute to dogs dry skin are paw licking Cushing’s disease and Hypothyroidism. Your dogs skin needs a certain amount of moisture in order to keep its elasticity and suppleness, and truly dry air may result in them losing this moisture.
Your vet can diagnose and treat conditions that need medical care, but if your dog is otherwise healthy, you can improve his or her dry skin and coat with some simple home remedies. As long as your dog does not show any other signs of disease or discomfort, you have some remedies that you can try at home to ease her dry skin — and without necessarily scheduling a trip to the vet.
A good dog conditioner can help, softening and moisturizing your dogs skin while reducing the irritation and itching. The best cure for your dry skin is to keep up with the moisture-rich shampoos, and do everything you can to get your dog ready for harsh conditions. You should also exercise the right bathing technique to avoid irritating your pup’s skin further. Also, make sure you pick the highest-quality shampoo and conditioner products designed specially for the type of coat your pet has and its skin conditions.
Oatmeal and aloe are proven skin protectants that help form protective barriers, which slows down natural oils being lost from the coat while soothing the itchy, irritated, flaky skin. In addition to olive oil’s ability to heal dry, flaky skin and brighten up your dogs coat, olive oil can also boost their appetite and aid in constipation. Coconut oil is also great for your dogs immune system, heart and liver health, and overall skin and coat health. Following a few simple steps and getting your pet checked regularly for any serious condition will help ensure that it stays healthy and happy.