No canine likes to deal with itchy skin. Not only is it irritating and uncomfortable, but even worse problems can develop the longer it's left untreated.
Itchy skin can lead to noticeable hair loss, inflammation, bleeding, and even skin infections.
Skin issues and discomfort can be caused by a number of different things.
Your dog may be allergic to an ingredient in their food or they could be suffering from a bad reaction in a grooming product you're using. The itchy skin could even be caused by tiny mites crawling all over their skin.
It's important that you take action as soon as you notice a sudden influx of scratching.
While you can certainly go the route of chemical antibiotics and medications, you don't have to. There are many great homemade remedies out there that utilize natural ingredients. They're all safe, effective, and affordable.
Many of these methods can tackle the problem regardless of the cause.
Here's a recipe for a DIY anti-itch dog spray and some additional natural remedies you can try to provide some relief for your itchy pooch.
Homemade Anti-Itch Spray Recipe (Vinegar)
One of the easiest solutions for itchy canine skin is a simple vinegar spray. Apple cider vinegar is a versatile ingredient that can do wonders for your dog's overall health.
It has been shown to improve both internal and external health issues in humans and dogs.It's anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. As a result, it can treat all kinds of skin issues.
It's even known to repel fleas, making it a great option for owners that want to stick with natural products for their pup.
There's a reason why apple cider vinegar is often the key ingredient in classic remedies. It simply works!
Ingredients
This DIY itch spray is comprised of only a handful of ingredients. There's no need to be super accurate when it comes to measurements. The spray is quite flexible and can be adapted to increase or decrease strength accordingly.
To make the spray, you will need:
When you're gathering ingredients for the spray, it's best to stick with organic options that aren't heavily processed. This ensures that you're getting the highest quality possible.
Apple cider vinegar with the "mother " included is recommended.
The vinegar may appear cloudy or have bits and pieces floating around. These are simply enzymes, proteins, and healthy bacteria that will work to address the cause of itchiness.
Creating the Spray
First, you'll need to start off by brewing the tea. Steep your green tea in the hot water for several minutes. The longer you leave the tea in the water, the more concentrated your tea will be.
Green tea is known to reduce inflammation, which can put a stop to that persistent itchy feeling your dog is experiencing.
Once the tea has cooled down completely, mix it with the apple cider vinegar. Then, dilute the mixture a bit with the distilled water. If you don't have access to distilled water, you can make your own by simply boiling the water to get rid of impurities.
Let everything cool down to room temperature, transfer it to a spray bottle, and use it on the affected area of your dog's skin.
The DIY anti-itch spray will provide quick relief. If you use it consistently, you may see a significant improvement in your dog's inflammation. Once you're done using the spray, keep it in the refrigerator.
Other Natural Remedies to Relieve Itchy Skin
While the apple cider vinegar dog spray is one of the most effective solutions to tackling itchy skin, it's certainly not the only remedy out there. Here's a selection of some great foods and oils that can be used to treat your dog's itchy skin.
Many of these ingredients can be added to the previous DIY spray recipe as well for some added benefits.
Peppermint and Chamomile Tea
You can easily find peppermint and chamomile tea in your local grocery store. Not only do these teas taste delicious and help you feel calm, but they have healing properties as well.
You can swap out the green tea in the spray recipe for these two alternatives. Or, you can mix them in.
Peppermint has a noticeable cooling effect. Once it's applied to the skin, your dog will feel a sensation that's similar to a menthol rub. Chamomile acts as an anti-inflammatory to reduce redness and swelling.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a renewable plant that's been used to heal a range of ailments throughout history. The unique gel-like substance found within the aloe vera leaf has been known to promote healing after burns and swelling.
You can introduce aloe vera to the spray recipe or apply aloe vera oil directly to your dog's skin.
Simply massage the oil into the skin for maximum penetration. It's important that you utilize an oil instead of raw aloe vera. Pure aloe can be toxic for dogs if its licked. However, processed oil doesn't contain any of the dangerous bits.
Oatmeal
While it may not seem like oatmeal would do anything to help the skin, it's actually a great way to reduce inflammation and itchiness. This is because oats contain natural cleansers. Oats are also an antioxidant that has powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
To utilize oats as an anti-itch remedy, grind them up in a food processor. Alternatively, you can purchase pre-grinded oatmeal at your local supermarket. Then, create a bath of warm water. Add the oats to your tub and let your dog soak for a bit.
They'll enjoy the soothing warmth the bath provides. You can also use the oatmeal to scrub your dog's skin in lieu of a traditional shampoo.
Lemon Tonic
Lemon is another natural ingredient that can improve your dog's skin. It can be used as a toner to keep inflammation at bay. The tonic mixture may also help to repel fleas so that your dog's skin can recover.
To make the toner, bring a pot of water up to a boil.
As its heating up, slice up a whole lemon into very thin pieces. Keep the rind on. Then, place the lemon pieces into the boiling water, turn off the heat, and let the mixture steep overnight.
The next day, remove the lemon pieces and use a cotton ball or sponge to dab the mixture all over the affected area. You can repeat this process daily for the best results.
Conclusion
Natural remedies have been used throughout human history to treat itchy skin and other ailments. Because they're made out of natural ingredients, you'll always know what is being used on your dog's body.
You can use these methods to provide your furry friend with some much-needed relief.
Of course, you should also find the source of the problem so that you can prevent skin issues from occurring in the future.
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