Treating dogs with itchy skin

There are a number of reasons and causes for dogs with itchy skin, including poor diet, flea and environmental allergies.

And, although environmental allergens for pets will vary by region and climate, some of the most common causes of dogs with itchy skin include pollen, moulds, animal dander (that’s the stuff that sheds from their skin), cleaning solutions and medication.

How weather impacts dogs with itchy skin

Seasonal changes can also affect your dog’s coat and skin. In the winter, skin can become dry and flaky due to the cold weather, but also the heating indoors. While in the warmer months they’re exposed to more allergens and the humidity.

Not to mention the dogs, like my two boys, that love to cool down in the river or sea, then roll around in the sand. A perfect breeding ground for bacteria and skin irritations!

Signs and symptoms of an allergy

Of course we don’t to ruin their fun, so it’s important you take care of their coat and skin all year round and look out for any signs of an allergy.

This might include excessive itching and scratching, rashes, skin inflammation, and gnawing on their paws or skin.

It also helps to know what a healthy dog coat should look like, so read more about that HERE.

Treatment

When it comes to treating skin allergies, it’s important to remember that over grooming, or using products with chemicals can make any irritations worse.

So using a gentle, natural shampoo to help remove any bacteria, and also heal and protect the skin is key. Oatmeal for examples is a natural healing wonder.

It’s been used for centuries as a soothing agent to relieve itch and irritation, making the DGG Colloidal Oatmeal Shampoo a great choice for sensitive dogs.

It contains a super high content of Colloidal Oatmeal and Aloe Vera, which helps to not only soothe but also heal aggravated skin.

Australian made with no nasty chemicals, it is pH balanced for dogs, and not tested on animals, which I love.

Other tips to help dogs with itchy skin

Some other tips to help dogs with allergies include:

• switching to an unprocessed or a nutrient rich raw food diet to boost their immune system
• protecting their feet on the grass – baby socks will do the trick
• ensuring flea treatments are up to date
• and, in between shampoos, bathing or treating the area with Epsom salts and finely ground oatmeal so you aren’t over-washing your pooch.

If the irritation and itching does continue though then do see your vet.

Look for the DGG Colloidal Oatmeal Shampoo at your local PETstock store, or visit the DGG website to learn more about this product and their shampoo range.

About the Author: Lara Shannon is a certified dog behaviourist and trainer, pet food nutrition specialist, Executive Producer and Host of Pooches at Play on Channel 10 and editor of Poochesatplay.com. Lara also runs her own dog training business in Melbourne’s Bayside area and is the Author of World of Dogs and Eat, Play, Love Your Dog