Are your dogs scratching their skin all day? Do they lick their paws and chase their tail all the time? We understand how frustrating it is to see them even more frustrated with their body. Itchy skin can be caused by different diseases and allergies, and there is a specific treatment for each condition. Still, proper grooming is common to all of them.
We’re here to the rescue to give you helpful information about the causes of itching and how a homemade dog conditioner for itchy skin can be more beneficial than a store-bought one!
Causes of Itching on Dogs
This itching discomfort felt by your dog can be caused by different issues such as:
- Ticks and fleas
- Allergy and infections
- Dry skin
- Hormonal imbalance
- Skin diseases like cancer
Ticks and Fleas
Dogs often lick, chew, and scratch their skin because of parasites like ticks, fleas, and mites. Remember that mites are microscopic and ticks can be mistaken for small dirt particles, so you may not instantly notice these blood-dependent pests.
Although they are common especially during summer and can be treated right away, they can cause more serious diseases.
These fleas and ticks can also affect your household. They can infest your whole house and cause you and other family members to itch as well.
Allergy and Infections
Your dog scratches their skin possibly because of an allergic reaction to food, mold, or pollen. These can occur through the following:
inhalation topical exposure ingestion
If you think your dog has an allergy or infection it is important to contact a vet right away to determine what may be causing their allergy.
It is important not to diagnose your own pup and leave it to the experts. This will help to prevent more severe infections like dermatitis and bacterial infections, and your dog will get the right treatment.
Dry Skin
The cold weather and insufficient fatty acid intake can cause dry and itchy skin. However, this can also be a symptom of a skin disease that results in flaky skin and scabs.
Hormonal Imbalance
Like humans, dogs can have symptoms that are physical responses to a psychological upset. Sometimes, their anxiety can be caused by hormonal imbalance, where they don’t produce enough thyroid hormone.
Additionally, too much cortisol can result in skin infections that lead to hair loss and bald spots.
Skin Diseases
Common causes of itchy skin, allergies, and other similar symptoms in dogs can be skin related diseases like:
Ringworms
Ringworms are not actually worms but a fungal infection which can be contagious to animals and humans. This is caused by inadequate fatty acids and protein in your dog’s body.
Yeast Infection
This is commonly found in the ear canal, between the toes, and around the anus of the dog. This can be a result of high humidity, after swimming, or from allergies. They redden and thicken the skin while also shedding the hair and producing an unpleasant smell.
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer has three types:
- Malignant melanoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Mast cell tumor
Although this is highly uncommon, remember that sun damage is one factor that can cause this grave illness. Also, light-colored canines are more prone to skin cancer.
Cushing’s Disease
Cushing’s disease is a disease in the endocrine system where your pooch produces excessive cortisol. It is medically referred to as hyperadrenocorticism or excessive administration of a corticosteroid. Physical exams and lab works will be needed to diagnose this condition.
Alopecia
Hair loss can affect the endocrine system, lymphatic system, and the immune system of your pal. This noticeable disease is characterized by bald circles and inflammation. It can be caused by parasites, a disruption in hair follicles, infection, trauma, or other abnormalities.
How a Homemade Dog Conditioner Can Help
All these causes of itchy skin require various complex treatments, whether it is oral or topical medication or a special diet. There is something you can do at home that will help your dog no matter the cause.
Regular grooming with natural and gentle ingredients is an important step in helping to soothe your dog’s irritation.
Using a homemade dog conditioner for your dog’s itchy skin with sustainable and non-toxic ingredients will be gentle on your furry friend’s skin and is good for the environment.
Making your dog’s conditioner at home is safer and cheaper than using a store-bought one.
Best Natural Ingredients for Your Dog’s Itchy Skin
Here are some natural ingredients that can help to soothe your dog’s itchy skin.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oils are 100% safe and beneficial to use on our pets! This organic product contains antioxidants with anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that are very helpful in treating allergies, rashes, and minor cuts.
Furthermore, it helps in digestive support, providing a healthy coat, and even immune system support for your pup.
Essential Oils
Essential oils can have anti-fungal and healing agents that can also decrease inflammations and cure infections. Although not all essential oils are safe and gentle, here are some that are safe to put in your dog conditioner recipe:
Baking Soda
Baking soda is beneficial for your dog’s dry and flaky skin when caused by too much scratching. Watch how you can use this component to clean and deodorize your dog in this video!
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a great ingredient that relieves dry, itchy skin as well. It is a good choice for making your homemade dog conditioner because it is so fine that it can evenly disperse well throughout your mixture.
Rosemary
Rosemary, a common herb for flavoring your steak, provides multiple supplemental benefits for your four-legged child! With its vitamin C, essential oils, and alkaloids, the natural product can help them have stronger, healthier, and brighter coat without the oil and grease!
Homemade Dog Conditioner for Itchy Skin Recipe
There are many recipes for making your own dog conditioner in curing itchy skin. For instance, in this procedure, you be needing the following:
- 2 tbsp of coconut oil
- ¼ cup of finely ground oatmeal
- 1 tbsp of honey
- ¼ cup of water
- 2-3 drops of essential oils (optional)
Mix all the ingredients together and put inside a jar. When using the product during bath time, let it sit after shampooing for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
This recipe includes various natural products that are great for your dog’s itchy skin. However, you can always go for recipes that focus on fewer ingredients.
A recipe which includes only two ingredients, namely 2 tablespoons of aloe vera and 2 cups of water, can help treat dermatitis in dogs. Just apply the solution to your dog’s hair after shampooing and rinse with water. This conditioner works best for dogs with medium to long hair.
An alternative for aloe vera can be coconut oil, with the same uses and benefits for your furry friend!
You can also try heating some rosemary in olive oil or water. This infusion works best when massaged on damp dog fur! And make sure to remove the leaves before application.
Homemade dog conditioners offer a lot of great benefits for your dog’s itchy skin compared to the mass-produced products available to buy.
While they can help soothe your dog’s condition, it’s still necessary to consult the veterinarian to find out the cause and to get the right treatment so your pup recovers more quickly.
P.S. Help a friend with creating a homemade dog conditioner for itchy skin by pinning this!
