Dealing with a pet’s itchy skin
By Gail Wieder
Board Member
Itchy dogs — any of you have one of those? I do. My little Odie is always scratching or chewing his little feet or rubbing his back on anything that is the right height for him to rub on.
It is not fleas, because I’m the “Flea Fairy”! I can spot them fast, all I have to do is say “here comes the Flea Fairy and he flops on his back as if to say ‘no fleas here.’” Of course, I’m not sure Odie really likes the Flea Fairy doing her flea check. He is groomed on a regular basis and has his own doggie salon that comes right to our door. The culprit is dry skin. His groomer uses oatmeal shampoo which helps and they also cut his coat to a good length. This helps some but there are a few other tips to help the itching.
I got these tips from a book called “The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Cats and Dogs” by the editors of Prevention Magazine health books. It is a great book no four-legged home should be without. I have had this book for years and often find myself going through it for a lot of different reasons.
Some veterinarians will suggest you try an antihistamine like Benadryl. The typical dose is one to three milligrams for every pound of pet, but ask your vet for the precise dosages.
An oatmeal bath or soak with warm to cool water goes a long way in soothing your pet’s itchy skin. Try adding some colloidal oatmeal like Aveeno to the bath water. It will give the water a smooth, silky feel that will help calm the crankiest skin.
Sometimes it is recommended to give your pet fatty acid supplements which may help with the itchy skin. The supplements come in capsules and are available from your veterinarians and some pet stores. Ask your vet which is right for your pet. How do you get your pet to take the capsules? The best way is to take it apart and squeeze it into their food.
Daily brushings helps get the coat in shape also; the fatty acids will give a sheen to the pet’s coat and calms the itching.
Avon Skin So Soft or Alph-Keri Oil is good for a pet’s dry skin. Use 1 tablespoon per gallon of water and use it as an after-bath rinse or spritz your pet’s coat once a week or so.
Remember, while hay fever and allergies rarely cause more than a little itching, some pets will scratch themselves into a frenzy, causing hair loss, skin damage or serious infections. This is when you need to make an appointment to see your pet’s veterinarian.
If you are considering a friend for life, come see us at the Central Aroostook Humane Society or check us out on petfinders.com. We have a lot of great animals just looking for a forever home. Our hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closing for lunch noon to 12:30 p.m.
Please be a responsible pet owner; spay and neuter your pets!
