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Dogs, Healthcare

How to Soothe Your Dog’s Itchy Skin

The Paw Print

Essential Pet Blog

brown short coated dog laying on a navy flannel blanket

Leaves are falling, pumpkin spice abounds, and there is a chill in the air. There’s no denying it; fall is here… and so are the cold-weather issues that come along with it. In addition to paying attention to autumn seasonal hazards, now is also the time to be paying special attention to your pet’s skin.

As temperatures drop, our pets’ skin can become dry and itchy. Here are a few tips for soothing your pet’s itchy skin and keeping its coat beautiful throughout the fall and winter.

How to Soothe Itchy Skin

Add a supplement to your pet’s diet

Adding a supplement with natural omega-3 fatty acids can help combat your pet’s itchy skin. Using a liquid supplement or a soft gel promotes healthy and smooth skin and a shiny coat. As a bonus, most dogs abso-woof-ly love the flavor!

Avoid over-bathing

Shampooing your dog too often can strip their skin of natural oils and lead to dryness. For dogs that already struggle with dry and itchy skin, it’s best to limit their bathing through the fall and winter seasons to no more than every two weeks. If your dog needs a bath more often than that, consider doing a simple rinse with water. If your dog’s skin is already dry and itchy, an oatmeal bath may provide some relief.

Grooming

In addition to removing dead skin and stimulating oil glands in their skin, brushing your dog with a soft-bristled brush can feel pretty doggone good and provide temporary relief from itchiness. Just make sure to be gentle and follow your dog’s lead on this one. If you see any signs of discomfort or irritation, quit.

Environmental considerations

Sometimes making changes to your pet’s environment can make a big difference in their skin. If you’re living in a colder climate and you’re running the heat, your indoor air could be drying your pup’s skin out. Consider using a humidifier to add moisture to the air and alleviate some of the itchiness.

Rule out allergies

Allergies in humans often spike as the seasons change, and it’s no different for canines. If you think your pooch could be suffering from seasonal allergies, a visit with your veterinarian is in order. Your vet can help you determine possible irritants and make suggestions for managing your pup’s comfort during heavy allergy times. Common allergens for dogs are trees, grasses, pollens, mold spores, and dander.

Itchy skin can be a real nuisance, but it can be treated. With a little extra care, you and your pup can enjoy autumn and all of the fun the season has to offer!

To learn about the Essential Pet brand and our trusted products, please visit www.21stessentialpet.com

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