Home Remedies for Dry Skin on Dogs

While your puppy or dog may be a playful little companion for you, and you probably believe that having a pet is all fun and games, the truth is even this little one is prone to its own set of problems and illnesses. Among the many problems that afflict dogs is that of dry skin. It may be manageable in the initial stages, but later gets worse when the itching sets in due to skin problems. Dry skin usually indicates a problem with your dog's health, that most probably, it is not getting the nutrients it requires for healthy skin. Another reason that may contribute to dry skin on your dog is that you are over bathing it. The chemicals in the shampoos, etc. that you use to clean your dogs may strip their skin off its natural moisture, thereby, leaving it dry. Fortunately, these conditions can be remedied at home by following some simple steps.

Home Remedies

The following remedies are suitable when the condition is not too serious. If you find that your dog's skin is too dry and is becoming itchy, visit the vet immediately, who will then treat it with appropriate medication.

• Use a special shampoo meant for dry skin on dogs. Just like our skin is prone to drying out in winters, so is the case with dogs. As such, in the winters, don't bathe your dog too often, and use a shampoo that has been specifically made for dogs with dry skin. This will ensure that its skin does not dry out as much.
• Pet your dog often. Petting your dog often will promote the circulation of natural oils in the dog's skin, that will then keep the skin moisturized. Alternately, you may also brush your dog's coat often to ensure this circulation. Brushing will also get rid of the flaky skin and promote the development of healthy new skin.
• Improve your dog's diet. As mentioned earlier, more often than not, dog health problems emerge from a poor diet. Thus, give your pet high-grade dog food that is meant to improve its overall health, and the quality of its skin and coat. It has been found that adding a teaspoon of olive oil or flaxseed oil to your dog's food will treat dry skin on dog's belly and every other body part, and make it healthy. Flaxseed oil consists of omega 3 essential fatty acids that are a good nutrient for healthy skin.
• Try an oatmeal bath. Dog health experts suggest that soaking your dog in colloidal oatmeal while bathing, for about 15 minutes, will relieve the itchy skin that is most often the result of dry skin.
• Tackle the source of dry skin. Sometimes dry skin in dogs is caused due to parasitic infestations. For instance, if you notice dry skin on dog's ears, it is probably ear mites in dogs that are causing the itching and the associated dry skin. Use some mineral oil dipped in a cotton ball on the affected area to get rid of the ear mites and relieve the itching and dry skin temporarily.
• Use olive oil on the affected area. Many a time you will notice dry skin on a localized patch and nowhere else on its body. For instance, a lot of people have noticed dry skin on dog's nose without a trace of any other illness. This can be treated simply by applying a swab of cotton lightly dipped in olive oil on the affected area, as many times as required, to treat it.

If these home remedies do not work, visiting your vet is your best option. In some cases, dry skin may be a symptom of some other health condition your pet may be afflicted with. Further, too much dry skin attracts fleas and other insects that only worsen the condition. As such, treat the condition as soon as you notice these problems, either with the aforementioned home remedies, or by consulting the vet.

Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.