If you are a parent of a dog with dry skin, you know how frustrating and concerning it is to see your pooch lick and scratch constantly. It is natural to think what you can do to soothe your beloved pet and minimize its discomfort. While your vet can best diagnose the root cause behind excessive itching in your dog, you can always take some simple measures to alleviate the problem on your end.
One of the best ways to deal with dry skin in pups is to use a conditioner after every shampoo session. A dog conditioner for dry skin generally contains a rich formula with beneficial ingredients that will keep the skin and coat of your dog moisturized. Whether your dog has allergies or dry, matted skin, a conditioner can work wonders for its skin, helping restore moisture and keeping his coat feeling extra soft. Some people also find success by applying coconut oil on dogs coats and skin to aid in dry skin.
The dirt and oils that accumulate on the dog coat may cause some of the skin problems that you are concerned with. There are a lot of potential causes for dry skin, making diagnosing skin conditions in dogs difficult. Dry skin can hit when the weather changes – or even when conditions change inside the dogs home environment.
There are a number of conditions or problems beyond weather that could cause dry, scratchy dog skin during the winter. Vets really caution that some causes of itchy skin on dogs can be severe, and could cause medical problems if left untreated. In addition to parasites, more serious chronic health conditions including food and environmental allergies, Cushing’s disease, and hypothyroidism may dry your dogs skin as well.
Two major metabolic conditions that may contribute to dogs dry skin are paw licking Cushing’s disease and Hypothyroidism. Your dogs skin needs a certain amount of moisture in order to keep its elasticity and suppleness, and truly dry air may result in them losing this moisture.
Your vet can diagnose and treat conditions that need medical care, but if your dog is otherwise healthy, you can improve his or her dry skin and coat with some simple home remedies. As long as your dog does not show any other signs of disease or discomfort, you have some remedies that you can try at home to ease her dry skin — and without necessarily scheduling a trip to the vet.
The right kind of dog conditioner can help, softening and moisturizing your dogs skin. The best cure for your dry skin is to keep up with the moisture-rich shampoos, and do everything you can to get your dog ready for harsh conditions. Frequent cleaning and combing can also help the pup get rid of any irritants and keep its coat and skin healthy and smooth.
Oatmeal and aloe are proven skin protectants that help form protective barriers, which slows down natural oils being lost from the coat while soothing the itchy, itchy, flaky skin. In addition to olive oil’s ability to heal dry, flaky skin and brighten up your dogs coat, olive oil can also boost their appetite and aid in constipation. Coconut oil is also great for your dogs immune system, heart and liver health, and overall skin and coat health.