So, your dog has an itching problem. Unfortunately, the cause of itching can be shrouded in mystery, and take some serious detective work to uncover. The treatment of itching can be just as complicated, and will depend entirely on the accuracy of your detective skills in figuring out the underlying problem. If you are not treating your dog for the right problem, then you will not be able to correct the problem. In some cases, you could even make the problem worse by administering the wrong treatment for your dog.

With that said, here are some things to do if your dog has itchy skin:

Determine the Source

See your vet if necessary. The right diagnosis will determine the right treatment. Once you determine a course of treatment, follow it through to completion. In many cases, if your dog is prescribed medications such as antibiotics or steroids and you do not treat them for the prescribed length of time, the condition could reappear, and you'd have to start all over.

For some itch relief you can try at home, consider these options:

Give Your Dog Supplements for Itchy Skin

Skin and coat supplements for dogs like vitamin E and fatty acid supplements like flax can be very beneficial to the health of your dog's skin and coat. Check out the best dog supplements for itchy skin on our website. A daily serving of our supplement adds Omega fatty acids to your dog’s bowl to support a healthy skin and coat. You can also rub vitamin E oil directly on your dog's skin, especially in the areas that are dry and prone to itchiness. This can help reduce skin irritation.

Feed Your Dog Yogurt

Make sure it's plain though. A regular intake of yogurt can help keep gut bacteria in balance, and stave off potential yeast infections. A daily dose of plain yogurt in your dog's diet can also help build hiss immune system, and by extension, keep his skin healthy.

Use Epsom Salts

Soak your dog in a warm bath with Epson Salts. Just like with people, Epsom Salts can be soothing and help speed up healing, especially when your dog's skin is cracked or is riddled with sores. Epson Salts are also great for reducing inflammation and swelling.

Spray Him Down

Try an apple cider vinegar spray. You can mix it with equal parts water, and use it to spray your dog’s itchy areas and provide soothing relief. There are also anti-itch sprays that you can purchase and try as well.

Bathe and Groom

Bathe your dog often and groom them every day. Keeping your dog clean can go a long way in keeping your dog's skin healthy and itch-free. Just don't overdo it, as too much bathing can sometimes dry out his skin and making itching worse. Brushing regularly can help your dog too, by stimulating natural oils and helping to control itching and irritation.

Try Coconut Oil

Give your dog a daily dose of coconut oil by simply mixing it with his food. Coconut oil can be a great addition to a healthy diet. Not only does it give your dog energy, but it's wonderful for your dog's coat and skin as well.

Consider Soothing Oatmeal

Try an oatmeal bath. Oatmeal has been used to treat itchy and irritated skin for ages, and in some cases, it can offer almost immediate relief from agitated itching. You can either make your own shampoo, or buy one already mixed in the store. Either way, your furry friend will thank you.

Dietary Tweaks

Sometimes itching can be relieved with simple diet changes. Experiment and see what works for your dog.

Be Proactive

Prevent parasites. In many cases, your dog's itching may be preventable, especially if they are related to parasites. There are medications that can help prevent parasites, and keeping your dog up to date with these methods is important.

Know Your Dog

Some breeds are predisposed to certain skin problems, including conditions that can cause itching. It's important to know this information, and if you have a dog breed such as this, you need to take the steps necessary to treat and/or prevent future health concerns.

Schedule Check Ups

See your vet regularly. It's important to let your vet monitor your dog's health and well-being, and make sure that he is functioning at optimal performance. A healthy dog is a happy dog, and a happy dog? …Is one that doesn't itch. Check out our supplements for dogs with itchy skin today.

*This article is for informational purposes only. Please see a vet if your pet shows any symptoms.

References:

1 http://thebark.com/content/vet-advice-relief-your-dogs-itchy-skin

2 http://www.petmd.com/dog/wellness/evr_dg_home_remedies

3 https://www.rover.com/blog/stop-dog-allergies/