

Or you could try P15 Skin Relief by Newton Laboratories, Inc., which combines a dozen homeopathic remedies into a base of 15 percent alcohol.ĭo these “shotgun approach” homeopathic combinations work? For an answer to that question I talked with Terri Grow, CEO and founder of PetSage, Inc., a retail catalog company that stocks hundreds of natural pet care products and offers classes on how to properly use them.
#TOPICAL ITCH RELIEF FOR DOGS PLUS#
FidoDerm contains aloe vera and calendula to help promote healing, along with a nontoxic assortment of antibacterial and antifungal essential oils.Īlternatively, you might wish to go the homeopathic route, with a few drops of Animal Aid (available from Biomedrix, Inc.), which is a combination of 11 different homeopathic remedies plus aloe vera. For hot spots, irritations caused from a bandage or a rubbing collar, sunburned ears, or insect bites that are limited to just a few points on the body, you might try a spritz or two of Animal Apawthecary’s FidoDerm Herbal Spray at the affected areas.

Several choices of natural topical remedies are available at the pet supply store, too. Better yet, look for witch hazel that is made with ethanol (grain alcohol, the type contained in consumable liquors) or vegetable glycerin, an edible coconut oil derivative that is used in natural soaps and cosmetics for its emollient, skin-soothing qualities. This type of witch hazel should be reserved for uses where only a few dabs are needed (i.e., don’t rinse your dog with it). It is important to know that most commercial witch hazel extracts are made with isopropyl alcohol, a substance that is toxic if ingested in large enough amounts. A dab or two of witch hazel applied by cotton ball can bring instant relief to angry flea or mosquito bites. A classic example of such an astringent is witch hazel extract, which can be purchased in a clear liquid, distilled form at any drugstore. One of the quickest ways to reduce inflammation of the skin and itchiness is by use of herbal astringents.Īstringents work their magic by quickly tightening skin and subcutaneous tissue, and thereby reducing inflammation and redness. Topical Home Remedies for Dogs’ Itchy Skin Soothing, healing relief can be as close as the kitchen spice cabinet if your companion is bothered by an acute irritation, such as a “told you so” bite inflicted by the dog-harassed, queen feline of the house (my dog Willow insists it’s worth it). And you probably don’t need to travel far to find one. Fleas, ticks, sunburn, mites, cuts, mosquitoes, cat scratches (those are especially fun to get), thorns, poison ivy, and especially allergies are bound to wreak havoc at some time or another, and you should be prepared for it.Īlthough most chronic skin problems like Katie Bell’s are secondary to deeper issues, such as food or flea allergies or perhaps sensitivity to exogenous chemicals in the environment, most skin problems can be temporarily relieved with proper use of topical remedies. If you live in the world of dogs, chances are you will be confronted some day with a dog suffering from some sort itchy-chewy skin ailment. And they wish to avoid, at all cost, the risky option of corticosteroid drugs. They are working toward finding a lasting resolution to Katie Bell’s distress, but need to find symptomatic relief for her in the meantime. Katie Bell’s people know that her chronic condition is likely due to deeper problems – perhaps with diet, allergy, or autoimmune dysfunction.

Her skin there is pink, hot to the touch, and sometimes looks cruddy, even though she is as clean as a rambunctious little dog can be. She is itchy all the time, especially on her tummy and the insides of her haunches. Katie Bell, a 10-year-old Schnauzer, has different problems. Nevertheless, the ticks did get some bites in, leaving red, itchy, oozing bumps that may get infected if not treated. Luckily, his human always carries a fine-toothed flea comb when she walks in brush country with him, and she was able to remove the nasty blood suckers before they could dig in. Busting through underbrush in search of the ever-elusive cottontail, Winston picked up a few ticks. But he is also itchy, and now he is chewing at little inflamed bumps on his chest and hind legs. Winston, a four-year-old yellow Lab, is very happy.
