What can I moisturize my dog with? What to Know

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Home Remedies for Dry Skin in Dogs

As long as your dog doesnt have other signs of illness or discomfort, there are some remedies you can try at home to alleviate his dry skin without necessarily scheduling a vet visit.

  • Use a humidifier to resolve dry air in your home. Bonus: this will make your own dry skin feel better, too!
  • Start your dog on an omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplement to boost his skin and coat health. Supplements are not subject to the same level of regulation as medications, so not all supplements are equal. For the best results choose a product that has the National Animal Supplement Council Quality Seal or is recommended by your veterinarian.
  • Give him a bath with an oatmeal-based shampoo and rinse thoroughly. Oatmeal works as a colloid and is soothing to the skin.
  • Some people have also had success rubbing coconut oil onto their dogs coat and skin to help with dry skin.

    • If you find yourself needing to repeat any of these remedies frequently or if they dont help, make an appointment with your veterinarian to make sure that something else isnt going on with your dogs skin.

    IntroductionDry skin in dogs can have a number of causes; medical conditions such as metabolic or hormone imbalances, allergies, and parasitic, bacterial or yeast infections can all cause or contribute to dry skin. Poor grooming, lack of grooming, under bathing, or overbathing with detergents and soaps that dry skin can also be factors, and environmental conditions such as exposure to heat and low humidity can cause dry skin in your dog, much the same as it does in humans.

    Conditioning your dogs dry skin can provide relief, however, addressing underlying causes is also recommended to keep your dogs skin in good shape. Dry skin can become more easily damaged from itching or interference, or subject to infection with bacteria and yeast, so counteracting it is important for your dog’s health. There are a number of things you can do to condition your dogs dry skin.

    Grooming

    One of the best ways to stimulate your dog’s skin follicles to release moisturizing oils is through the simple act of regular brushing. Brushing also removes dead hair and old skin cells that can clog the surface of the skin. It is especially important to groom long-coated and double-coated dogs regularly to prevent painful matting and dry, itchy buildup. Short-haired dogs can also benefit from regular brushing – especially if they are prone to dry skin.

    Dog Care : What to Do if a Dog Has Dry, Itchy Skin

    Itchy skin in dogs is often caused by simple dryness. Lack of moisture is an especially big problem during the winter months when there is virtually no humidity. While we can slather on lotion, the solution isn’t quite so simple for our furry BFF’s.

    In order to keep your dog’s skin healthy year round, pay close attention to these 5 moisturizing tips.