Whether they’re circling their hind legs, rolling on their back, or gnawing at themselves, it’s easy to tell if they have skin allergies. As a pet owner, it’s understandable that you want to do everything you can to soothe them. Luckily, there are home remedies designed to help manage canine allergy symptoms. While these aren’t replacements for medical treatment provided by your vet, they can ease the itch and help your dog feel better fast.
Your dog’s skin allergy symptoms may vary from mild to severe. Early treatment is essential to prevent your dog from creating hot spots (Trusted Source) from scratching itchy skin. Hot spots start as patches of dry, itchy skin that develop into painful open sores, which become infected and require a trip to the vet.
Below are 11 ways to help soothe canine itchiness and discomfort from home.
Fish oil has many benefits for dogs—including keeping their skin and coat healthy. It is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids which have anti-inflammatory properties. If your dog has dandruff, adding an omega-3 fatty acid to their diet is one of the best ways to treat it. Just know that it can take up to 4-6 weeks of use to see results.
👉 Always consult your vet before giving your dog any new supplements or medicines. Our team of veterinarians recommends these Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet Soft Gels.
Some over-the-counter antihistamines formulated for humans, such as Benadryl and Zyrtec, are usually safe for dogs in the appropriate dosages and can be helpful for mild allergies. However, you should always ask your vet before giving your dog any medications or supplements. In severe cases, you might opt for a prescription allergy medication made for dogs, such as Apoquel or Cytopoint, both of which are highly safe and effective.
Choose a pet shampoo that contains oatmeal to soothe itchy skin. Our roundup of the best shampoos for dry, itchy skin can help you find the right product for your dog’s allergies and skin type.
To prevent your dog from licking any ingredients, always follow the instructions on the bottle and rinse them well after shampooing. Washing all the residue off can also relieve itchiness.
Alternatively, you can create colloidal oatmeal or finely ground oats and mix them into skin care products like lotions and creams or even add them to bathwater.
👉 Giving your dog weekly baths can actually cause dry skin and itchiness, so try to bathe your dog at least 2 weeks apart, or as directed by your vet.
Dr. Cahn recommends DOUXO, a trusted over-the-counter brand of medicated shampoo and other skin care products. Free from sulfates, parabens, and soaps, these formulas cleanse your pup’s skin without using anything harsh or harmful and can even treat mild skin infections. Ophytrium, the plant-derived active ingredient, is a natural antifungal and antibacterial agent.
If your dog feels excessively itchy, you may have to put them in an e-collar or outfit to prevent them from breaking their skin from scratching. However, this should only be temporary until you get to the root of the issue.
“If itching is severe or your dog has other symptoms such as skin lesions, scabs, pustules (pimples), hair loss, redness, or ear infection, see your vet,” Dr. Cahn cautions. “They can help determine the underlying issue, treat any skin infections, and provide treatments to help manage the itch that is extremely fast, safe, and effective.”
Damp fur can lead to bacteria growth — especially if your dog has a lot of skin folds like a pug. Dry off your dog after bathing, swimming, or running in the rain. While you can safely use a hair dryer (low setting only) on your dog, towel-drying is best to reduce the risk of excessively drying out their fur or skin.
Environmental allergies may cause inflamed, itchy, pink or red rashes or dermatitis between your dog’s toes — especially during the spring and summer when dew and sweat combine with environmental irritants like ragweed, grasses, foxtails, or dust mites. Exposure to ice and snow in the colder months can also leave your pup’s paws dry, cracked, and itchy. Wiping down their paws when they come inside can help remove some common allergens.
If your pup suffers from allergies, check for culprits within the home. You may need to eliminate common irritants like dust, cigarette smoke, certain cleaning products, and chemical fragrances like those found in laundry detergent and scented candles. An air purifier may help cleanse the air. Washing bedding every week can also help reduce dust mites.
Extreme heat or cold triggers allergy symptoms in some pets, so it’s important to maintain the temperature in your home.
Another thing to consider is humidity levels. Arid air causes dry skin, which intensifies the itchiness. So invest in a humidifier if you need one. Plus, this can also benefit the humans in your home. Conversely, too much moisture in the air encourages mold growth, intensifying allergy symptoms. If you live in a hot, humid area, keep the air circulating in your house or invest in a dehumidifier.
Since dogs can be allergic to flea and tick bites, it’s important to prevent your dog from bug bites before they start. Chat with your vet about using monthly flea and tick preventatives, which typically come in topical or oral form.
Make sure you’re feeding your dog a complete and balanced diet that’s formulated for their lifestage. Since food allergies may cause itchy skin, your vet may suggest an elimination trial diet with a novel or hydrolyzed protein to determine any potential allergens.
If your dog struggles with itchy and inflamed skin, it’s normal to turn to Google for help. However, many home remedies recommended online for pet owners are not effective at managing allergy symptoms in dogs — and some of them can actually be harmful. These are the home remedies that we recommend avoiding.
Itchiness in dogs — medically known as pruritus — may be caused by allergies, parasites, skin infections, systemic disease, or contact dermatitis from soaps and perfumes, among other environmental irritants. Here are some of the most common causes of itchy skin in canines:
While these remedies may help your dog feel better, they won’t cure your dog’s skin allergies alone. Your vet may prescribe topical therapy, (Trusted Source) anti-itch medication (Apoquel, Cytopoint, or steroids), or medication to treat a present skin infection. Call your vet or schedule an appointment if you encounter any of the following:
You’ve noticed new symptoms — If you’re seeing new symptoms or your dog is showing signs of skin allergies on other parts of their bodies — such as redness, scabs, sores, hair loss, or signs of an ear infection — it’s a good idea to check in with your vet.
Symptoms are worsening — If you’ve been following the treatment plan you made with your vet and your dog isn’t getting better or is getting noticeably worse, call the vet ASAP. You may need to change the treatment plan.
You want to try something new —If you want to try something new, like some of the suggestions we’ve listed in this guide, make sure to check with your vet first. You can use the opportunity to update your vet on what you’re seeing and ask questions, like whether there could be side effects or how long it will take to see results.
Depending on the severity of your dog’s itchiness, it can take some time to resolve their symptoms. Starting a treatment as soon as you notice symptoms can help shorten the healing process. Be patient and work with your vet to develop a treatment and management plan for skin allergies so your pup can find quick and long-lasting relief.
Depending on the culprits behind your dog’s itchy skin, your vet may recommend specific medications, ointments, balms, or other treatment options. To soothe your pup’s itchiness, consult your vet about home remedies, such as fish or oil supplements.
You can use shampoos and products to help keep your pup’s skin moisturized. An oatmeal bath or other product to help soothe itchy skin can help mild allergy symptoms. You can also try dietary supplements like fish oil for Omega-3s, antihistamines, and remove allergens from your dog’s environment. Remember to check with your vet before using new products on your dog.
Make sure your dog is getting some type of flea and tick preventative medication to ensure they aren’t reacting to bites from these pests. You can also give your dog an omega-3 supplement or antihistamine under the supervision of their vet.
Fish oil or other supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids may help with allergies in dogs. However, always chat with your vet before adding anything new to your dog’s diet.
Benadryl and Zyrtec are 2 safe options, but according to our vet team, they aren’t as effective as prescriptions for dogs like Apoquel and Cytopoint. Ask your vet what they recommend for treating your dog’s allergies.
