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Written by: Sarah Seward-Langdon
Published on: 10/17/2022
Is your dog excessively licking, scratching, or biting themself? It’s time to get down to the bottom of your dog’s itchiness! If it’s gotten serious enough, your dog’s itch may even be causing you to feel uncomfortable too…
Itching, also known as Pruritus, is the uncomfortable sensation that makes dogs want to scratch. Important: It’s usually a symptom, not a specific disease [1].
Yes, it is normal for your dog to get itchy occasionally—us humans need to scratch if we’re feeling irritation as well! However, if your dog is finding ways to scratch that itch constantly, then it is important to work with your vet to find out the root cause of the itching. After figuring out what is causing your dog’s itchiness, it will be easier to help your dog find relief!
Let’s go over what you could be dealing with when you have an itchy dog and some natural remedies to help the irritation diminish.
Many parasites can cause your dog to excessively scratch, including fleas and mites. When you take your dog into the vet, the first thing that they will look for is whether your dog’s irritation is being caused by parasites [1].
Flea bites can be found anywhere on your dog’s body and can create extremely itchy patches. Most commonly, flea bites can be found at the hind legs, tail base, and rear end, so check those spots carefully. However, sometimes you won’t see flea bites and they can still cause your pet immense discomfort—sometimes an allergic reaction [2]!
Parasites may be very common, but luckily the issues they cause for your dog are very easily treatable. If your vet finds parasites to be the issue, they’ll be able to give you medicine that will help your precious pup. And, if you’re just looking to go the natural root, there are remedies we will mention below that can help soothe their symptoms [3].
Other causes of irritated skin in dogs are environmental ones: pollen, spores, and dust mites for instance [2]. Some studies suggest that dogs are genetically predisposed to being sensitive to allergens in the environment, meaning specific dog breeds are sometimes more likely to have allergies [4]. Environmental allergies in dogs can be seasonal, and signs usually show up around their face, belly, and paws [2].
Although most people think that their dog’s itchy skin is because of a food allergy, it’s actually not as common as you think. And to make things more complicated, food allergies are different from food sensitivities!
That being said, food allergies to common ingredients such as beef, chicken, and dairy products can definitely cause your dog’s skin to become irritated and itchy [2]. An itchy dog who suffers from food allergies can also experience symptoms like digestive issues (diarrhea or vomiting), weight loss, and change of energy (hyperactivity or lack of energy) [11].
Bacterial and fungal infections are common causes of dog itchiness, and other symptoms are often associated with these types of issues. If your dog is itchy in addition to suffering from problems like hair loss, odor, and fluid discharge, then they may be dealing with an infection [1]!
If you’re trying to figure out whether your dog is itching because of a skin infection, be sure to check their feet (remember between their toes!), armits, and groin area. It is also important to note that skin infections are usually secondary to other conditions—ie. Skin infections aren’t the main cause, they are often a symptom of another issue [5].
Do you find your dog to have recurring bacterial or fungal infections? Definitely mention this to your vet so that you can work together to figure out if there’s an underlying cause.
So now that you’ve learned about why your dog may be itchy, you want to look into how to help them! Let’s go over 5 common ingredients that you probably have lying around your house that could help improve your pet’s irritation.
Raw, manuka, and local honey can be very beneficial for dogs in many situations, even above and beyond soothing an itch! Honey is known to be great for healing wounds and burns, as well as helpful in the relief of dandruff, psoriasis, and eczema. This is because of its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties [6].
Not only can you use honey topically, giving your dog a small amount of local honey in their diet can also help alleviate some of their seasonal allergies. By feeding them local honey, you’re exposing them to small amounts of the allergens, helping their body fight it off [7]!
Remember when you got chicken pox as a kid? We remember it all too well, along with the fact that our parents used oatmeal baths to soothe the itch! Well this childhood remedy can also help your dog.
You can use oatmeal in a manufactured product or a DIY solution. There are many high-quality shampoos out there that can help relieve the itch, moisturize the skin and improve your dog’s coat. Make sure you pick up a product that is gentle, hypoallergenic and doesn’t include harsh chemicals [6]!
If you would prefer to use a DIY oatmeal remedy, you can grind plain oatmeal and make it into a paste by combining it with warm water. Lather your dog up with this oatmeal paste, especially focusing on the itchy areas [7]. Talk to your vet about the frequency of bathing your pet in oatmeal solutions, although it should be no more than a couple times a day at most.
Essential fatty acids (EFAs), specifically omega 3s, are important for a number of reasons, including to help reduce inflammation and support overall skin and coat health. High quality omega 3 supplements may help your dog’s allergies and avoid skin issues—sometimes nipping them in the butt before they ever actually plague your dog [6]!
Omega 3 supplements are beneficial for many dogs, not only those suffering from irritated skin. Talk to your vet or pet nutritionist about adding EFA supplements into your dog’s diet; your dog will thank you.
Looking for an omega 3 supplement that will really help your dog? Find out more about Smart Earth Camelina oil!
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
This miracle-working ingredient can often be overlooked. However, you should definitely consider trying out baking soda if your dog is feeling itchy. Baking soda has anti-inflammatory properties and can work as an acid neutralizer, which makes it the perfect soothing solution for irritated skin [8]!
There are a number of ways to use baking soda to help your itchy dog. You can make it into a paste by mixing it with water. Cover your dog’s irritated spots with the paste, leave it on for at least twenty minutes, and then wash it off. If your dog is itchy all over, you can also add a bit of baking soda to their bath [9]! A less common way to use baking soda is to make a spray and use when necessary, shaking before use [8].
Calendula is a herb with a variety of benefits for dogs, including curbing bacteria, anti-inflammatory properties, eliminating fungal infections, and healthy cell growth. To use calendula to help your itchy dog, grab a tincture and mix one part tincture to five to ten parts water. It can even help dogs suffering from hot spots [8]!
Another uncommon itch remedy is witch hazel, and that’s because everyone forgets about this flowering shrub that is common to North America. Because witch hazel is high in tannins, it can help relieve your dog’s itch, reduce swelling and even aid in the repair of broken skin. All this while fighting bacteria as well!
You can easily find witch hazel in liquid form at the drugstore. Apply directly on your dog’s skin, or soak a cotton ball and rub it onto your dog’s itchy spots. You can also fill a plastic bowl full of witch hazel and dunk your puppy's paws in the dish if they are feeling itchy mostly on their paws.
Witch hazel is amazing because it’s 100% natural, smells fresh and also doesn’t leave any stains behind [8].
Flavonoids are compounds found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Quercetin is one of those flavonoids, responsible for giving fruits and veggies their colour! For animals, quercetin has unique benefits like anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties.
You can add quercetin into your dog’s diet through supplementation—this will make sure you can control the dose correctly. Alternatively, add a few all-natural raw vegetables into their meals. However, remember it is important to consult your vet when making changes to your dog’s diet [10].
Congratulations! You’ve learned about so many different ways to try and help your dog through their itchiness. If one remedy isn’t working, try another to at least soothe your dog’s symptoms.
However, the most important thing to remember is that itchiness in your dog is usually just a symptom of another issue they’re suffering from. Although these remedies may alleviate their irritated skin, they won’t address any underlying conditions. To help your dog tackle the root problem, consult your vet and work with them to get to the bottom of it!
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
References
[1] https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/skin-disorders-of-dogs/itching-pruritus-in-dogs
[2] https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/why-is-my-dog-so-itchy/
[3] https://www.applevalleyanimalhospital.com/site/blog/2021/09/30/why-is-my-dog-scratching-and-itching
[5] https://www.kingsdale.com/why-is-my-dog-itchy
[6] https://www.greatpetcare.com/wellness/itch-relief-for-dogs/
[7] https://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/5-natural-remedies-help-itchy-dog
[8] https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/the-itch-fix-heal-your-dog-itching/
[10] https://rootbabes.com/natural-home-remedies-for-dog-skin-allergies/
[11] https://vcacanada.com/know-your-pet/food-allergies-in-dogs
"Sarah is a marketing specialist with a passion for anything creative! Her openness to working across industries and job opportunities has allowed her to gain enormous amounts of experience in graphic design, video production, and written content creation. Animals have a special place in her heart as she grew up with cats and now owns her own Alaskan Malamute. She has spent the last couple of years in Vancouver working with different companies within the pet industry and gained valuable knowledge about the ins and outs of the (alternative) pet food industry, supplementation, and various training methods. When she’s not digitally creating content for pet lovers to consume, she’s out eating great food, dancing at drop-in classes, or exploring the beautiful Canadian scenery with her fur-child Miso."
