How can I make my dog stop scratching? Surprising Answer

Apple Cider Vinegar

Sure, apple cider vinegar is a tasty ingredient in homemade salad dressings, but did you know it can be used to treat mild yeast infections on skin as well? Simply combine a mixture of 50-percent apple cider vinegar and 50-percent water in a clean spray bottle, and then spray your dogs itchy spots with the solution. If your dogs paws are irritated, you can use the mixture for a nice, relaxing paw soak for up to five minutes. Dont use apple cider vinegar on broken skin, however, as it can cause further irritation. There is not a lot of published research regarding efficacy or safety with the use of vinegar and dogs, and there is the potential for GI upset and enamel damage to teeth if they are fed vinegar, so feeding or adding vinegar to their water is not recommended.

Apple cider vinegar should never be used on raw skin or open wounds—it can be extremely painful for your dog and worsen symptoms. Undiluted apple cider vinegar should never be applied directly to your dogs skin—always dilute with water.

Fish oil, or omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help improve coat heath and reduce body-wide inflammation. Omega 3 fatty acids are typically dosed via capsules or liquids, have minimal side effects (occasional pets may be more prone to gas or soft stool), and have published data supporting benefits for coat health, joint health, heart, kidney, and brain health.

In contrast to fish oil, while there is some anecdotal evidence for coconut oil use in dogs, there are no research studies backing up the claims of itch relief or improved skin health. Plus, coconut oil and other fatty foods may make some dogs prone to GI upset or pancreatitis if they lick it off their skin, or add unneeded extra calories to their diet.

If youve ever had a sunburn, you know all-natural aloe vera can be a lifesaver. Not only is aloe vera a powerful healing agent, but it can also reduce redness and draw uncomfortable heat away from the skin. You can apply aloe vera gel directly to your dogs affected spots. Most grocery and drugstores sell 100-percent natural aloe vera, or you can harvest it from an aloe vera plant if you have one at home.

Be sure to use an aloe vera gel that doesnt contain alcohol—otherwise, you risk burning your dogs skin and worsening their symptoms.

A pantry staple, baking soda can do much, much more than make your baked goods rise. When combined with water and blended into a thick paste, baking soda can dry out rashes on the skin, alleviate itching, and reduce redness and inflammation. All you have to do is combine 50-percent baking soda with 50-percent water and apply the paste to the itchy areas of your dogs skin. After about 20 minutes, rinse completely. For a more moisturizing blend, add a little bit of high-quality coconut oil to the mixture.

Chamomile and Green Tea Soaks

Chamomile and green teas are well-known for their soothing, anti-inflammatory effects in humans—but they work just as well for dogs, too. If your dog is dealing with hot, itchy patches of skin, try giving them a soothing soak in a chamomile or green tea bath.

Heres how to do it: Fill your bathtub or sink with lukewarm water and let several green-tea bags steep for three to five minutes. Then, remove the tea bags and let your dog soak in the mixture for at least five minutes. If you want to spot treat your dogs skin, steep a tea bag and let it cool completely before applying the tea directly to affected areas.

Possible Causes for Dog’s Itchy Skin

So, what’s behind your dog’s itchy skin? It may be caused by a medical condition called allergic dermatitis (skin allergies). This means your dog’s body overreacts to an allergen in the environment or food, which makes them feel itchy. There are a number of potential culprits:

Fleas. Flea bites can create extremely itchy areas on your dog. They can be found anywhere on the body, but are most common at the hind legs, tail base, and rear end. Just because you don’t see any fleas on your dog does not mean they aren’t there – keep in mind that a bite from a single flea can cause an allergic itch in your dog.

Environmental. Your dog may be allergic to environmental triggers, like pollen, mold spores, or dust mites. Environmental allergens can cause allergic itch during certain seasons, or even year-round. Dogs with environmental allergies will often show signs of allergic itch around their face, belly, and paws. If your dog gets itchy outdoors, invest in an outdoor dog bed to keep them off the ground.

Food. Your dog’s itching might be caused by a food allergy. Some dogs are allergic to common dog food ingredients such as beef, chicken, and dairy products. Food allergies in dogs can lead to signs of allergic itch around the paws, face, armpits, and belly.

Allergic dermatitis can make your dog uncomfortable. It also can lead to secondary health problems if there is a delay in treatment. When a dog licks or scratches an area excessively, it can damage the skin and lead to skin infections and wounds. These can cause changes like hair loss, body odor, and inflammation. Severe skin infections and wounds may even be painful for your dog.

How to Cure Your Dogs Itchy Skin! Tips and Homemade Cures to Stop Your Dog Itching and Scratching!

You know the sounds–they’ve kept you up at night. The scratching, the licking, the chewing. Your dog is itching like crazy and it’s driving you both up the walls! Chronic or severe itching and scratching in dogs can have many causes. Whether youve been asking yourself, “Why is my dog so itchy?” for a few days or for a few weeks, its time to get some answers. Thats why we created this list of natural remedies for itchy dogs!

Before you check out the list, keep in mind that some dogs may require a checkup by a licensed veterinarian for severe itching issues. If the itching your dog is experiencing has been ongoing or if your dog is developing self-inflicted wounds due to itching, its time to visit the vet!