Treating Dog Dry Skin
Sometimes dog owners think of parasites and fleas as the only causes of itchiness and forget to check for dog dry skin. Dryness of skin is a more common problem in canines than many people realize. Outdoor exposure to pollutants and a sensitive skin can combine to make a dog dry skin prone. So, remember to examine your itching dog fully to assess the exact cause of the problem.
While figuring out the causes and long-term solution to the dog dry skin problem, you can help your pet in the short term by getting a dog was or cream with hydrocortisone. This will help relieve the sense of itchiness that your dog is experiencing. Given that itchiness can prompt a dog to scratch and bite itself and that these can cause damage or injury to the skin, it is important to prioritize itch relief. Remember a skin with deep scratch marks of bites can become open to other infections.
The age-old cure of oatmeal paste for skin trouble works well for dogs also. The oatmeal needs to be made into a thick paste by mixing it with water and then spread on the area where the dog has dry skin. Sit with your dog and make sure that the paste is not licked off or disturbed in any way. Some veterinarians also suggest that a warm towel should be placed over the oatmeal paste to help the soothing action of the oatmeal. This needs to be done for 15-20 minutes a day and there will be a noticeable lessening of the dog dry skin problem.
There are a few different things to consider for dealing with dog dry skin. As an immediate first step, check to see if any of the grooming products you are using on your dog is the cause for the skin condition. Much like in humans, the soap or shampoo that is used may be the reason the dog’s skin has become sensitized. You should change the products to see if there is a change in the condition of the skin. It may be advisable to use an all natural product that is easier on the dog’s skin than a more chemical-based shampoo or soap.
As part of a long-term approach to handling dog dry skin, you should consider the diet of your pet. A diet that is not balanced and offering all the right nutrients can lead to problems such as dry skin. Omege-3 fatty acids need to be part of the diet for skin health and if you are not sure that your dog is getting enough of this you can offer your pet some supplements. Inadequate fatty acids can cause flakiness and dryness and so this has to be an important component of every doggy diet.
Remember the last time you had itchiness is when you brushed against the poison ivy while out for a walk? Well, this can happen to a dog too. So it may be an allergic reaction to some plant of other irritant that you dog encounters while outdoors. And the itching may be leading to a case of dog dry skin that is aggravating the whole skin health situation. If your dog plays in the backyard, examine the area to see if there are some new weeds or plants in the area. If you take your dog for a walk in the woods, keep an eye out to see if there are any toxic plants or unknown climbers that your pet is touching.
As a final step, make sure you maintain high standards of hygiene for your dog. Set up a regular bathing and grooming schedule and do not allow any build-up on the skin that can lead to troubles such as dog dry skin.