If you have been living with your companion for years, you must have noticed and come to learn that shedding hair in dogs is normal.

1. Dry Spot Dog Nose
2. Dry Spots Around Dogs Eyes

But how much is normal shedding and when is it balding or hair loss that you should worry about? Some symptoms should definitely worry you, including the following:

The first treatment for hot spots is to dry them out and get air to the area. Hair can easily mat over the inflamed area, holding in moisture and also covering up a potentially much more severe and larger problem. In most situations, random dry skin patches don’t indicate anything serious such as a skin disease or condition; instead they are due to using harsh soaps, wearing itchy clothing, taking long and hot showers, or misusing moisturizer. In other cases, however, medications may be to blame for these dry spots.

• Hair loss in patches that sometimes exhibits scabs.
• When the hair falls out in clumps
• When your dog is balding in one spot only, such as the tail, leg, back, belly, face etc.

When you observe these signs, there is definitely something that is likely to be the root cause of the bald spots in dogs.

Identifying dog hair loss (pictures)

Contents

Normal shedding does not involve an itchy skin or inflammatory skin conditions. However, in some circumstances, you will notice the pet losing hair in different ways. Some may be patches or clumps, while in other dogs, the hair begins to thin out and fall gradually.

If his or her hair begins to fall or thin out, it is important to have the pet seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible to identify the cause and start treatment.

What causes bald spots in dogs?

Your pet could be losing hair in one spot. One of the most common causes of single patches of balding is mange. There could be other reasons including seasonal shedding, hot spots, poor nutrition, skin infections such as folliculitis and ringworm, and more.

Let’s have a look at them.

1. Seasonal shedding of hair

Also called blowing coat, seasonal shedding is your dog’s natural way of getting rid of dead hairs on the skin (usually during winter) in order to lighten up for (for warmer temperatures in summer).

The summer coat is then shed off to usher in a heavy protective fur for winter. If your dog vividly exhibits this behavior, it is likely that you have one of the double-coated breeds such as keeshond, shelties, and collies.

Double coated dog breeds have a long protective overcoat and a soft one underneath.

This is why you will likely notice them losing hair in large clumps or chunks during the shedding seasons.

It is absolutely normal for your pooch to lose hair this way. The amount of hair loss depends on the breed you own. Some breeds such as poodles shed very little hair you might not even notice. German shepherds, on the other hand, shed hair all around the year.

It is important to observe your pet and notice this shedding behavior. If at some point you notice prominent bald spots on the dog that are not usual, some skin problems could be the cause. Possible causes include poor nutrition, allergies, and parasites.

2. Poor nutrition

According to the Oxford Academic’s Journal of Nutrition, Volume 128, Issue 12, 1 December 1998:

“Dietary factors have a major role in the maintenance of healthy coat and skin, and are significant in the etiology and therapy of certain skin diseases.” ^[2]

Bald spots on dogs are just one of the signs of poor nutrition and starvation in many pets. Even though shedding is normal, it is not supposed to occur all the time.

If it does, your veterinarian may advise that you feed your pet a special diet to help nurture a healthier, stronger coat.

Dr. Robin Downing, DVM, DAAPM, DACVSMR, CVPP, skin and coat problems in dogs result when the pet is fed a homemade diet over a long period of time.

He goes on to explain that a “nutritional deficiency can also occur when dogs are fed a poor quality commercial dry food, a commercial food that contains nutrient excesses, or if a commercial diet is supplemented inappropriately.” [3]

You should consider nutritional changes if you observe the following symptoms in your dog:

• Split ends
• Accumulation of scales on the skin
• Dry, sparse hair
• Slow growth of hair, especially in areas that were clipped
• Bald spots and patches that don’t seem to go away
• Loss of hair color or vibrancy.

It is important to prevent malnutrition in order to get rid of bald spots on your dog’s skin, legs, tail, belly etc.

For starters, providing your dog with omega-3 fish nutritional supplements can make a significant difference in improving the coat of your dog. Prevent malnutrition and starvation.

Note that preventing malnutrition means preventing nutritional deficiencies as well as excesses or imbalances.

3. Skin infections in dogs

Dog skin infections can be caused by superficial bacteria called folliculitis, fungal infections such as yeast, ringworm, and bacteria that cause impetigo and pyoderma.

Skin parasites are the most common and manifest their symptoms in the form of itchiness, inflammation and hair loss. Allergies and these skin ailments that present with itching and skin rash often lead to scratching.

This leads to superficial folliculitis and eventual hair loss. Below, we have discussed each of these skin infections and how they are likely to be the reason behind the hair loss patches on your dog’s skin.

Ringworm

Ringworm is caused by a fungus called dermatophyte. The most common dermatophyte in pets is Microsporum canis. You will easily identify ringworm affecting your dog due to the following symptoms:

• Skin lesions on the ears, head, legs, and paws
• Patchy or crusted circular bald spots

Depending on the severity, the whitish patches can turn and appear red if the skin is very inflamed. When mild, ringworm is less likely to cause severe spots with no hair. Only a few broken hairs will be observable.

A medicated dog shampoo for ringworm can help treat and get rid of the problem and stop hair loss.

However, if it is severe, your veterinarian may prescribe a miconazole ointment to help kill the fungus faster. An OTC miconazole spray can also do.

Folliculitis

This refers to the inflammation of hair follicles. The infection is caused by bacteria (or sometimes yeast) that enter the follicles.

Since hair follicles are small openings found on the outer layer of the skin from which hair grows, an infection developing here can easily cause hair loss in spots and patches on your dog.

Bacterial pyoderma (bacterial skin infection) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cause of folliculitis in adult dogs.

According to Veterinarian Dr. Erin Mayo, a vet in New Jersey, dog breeds that are susceptible to allergies are at a higher risk of developing this problem.

Treatments for folliculitis vary. Sulfur lime dips and oral milbemycin oxime may be administered by your vet depending on the cause.

Holistic treatment options can also be considered. They include dietary supplements such as probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, green tea, aloe vera and witch hazel. However, it is highly recommended that if your dog is suffering from hair loss spots due to folliculitis, have it seen and treated by a vet.

Hot spots

Hot spots are red, moist, hot and irritated lesions that are typically found on a dog’s head, hip or chest area. They are also called acute moist dermatitis.

These sore patches often lose hair and bald off due to constant licking and chewing.

It is likely that if your pet is suffering from balding spots, the culprit is hot spots. The hair is plucked in the process of licking and chewing on the sore.

How do hot spots occur and cause hair loss?

Any skin condition that causes your pet to scratch, bite or lick himself can start a hotspot. Irritants include parasite infestation, allergies, infections in the ears and skin in general etc.

If your dog is developing bald patches due to hotspot sores, there is a likelihood that he is not being groomed properly. Matted, dirty haircoats are highly prone to forming moist dermatitis symptoms.

Dog breeds with thick coats and long hair are at a higher risk of developing hot spots and losing hair in patches as a result.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection caused by Streptococci and Staphylococcus bacteria. Pets and animals that develop this condition usually have cuts, wounds and tears on the skin.

With cellulitis, wounds don’t heal, and the pet will suffer from hair loss in the spot where the infection is developing.

Symptoms of cellulitis in dogs include the following:

• Balding spots due to deep wounds.
• Pus accumulates under the skin.
• Redness in the affected area. This spot will also become sensitive.
• Formation of an abscess.

If your dog is losing chunks of hair due to cellulitis infections spreading, you should see a veterinarian as soon as possible because not only is he balding but he is also in deep pain.

Antibacterial medications are normally employed when treating such bacterial infections. If there is an abscess, it will be drained using a warm compress. Medical attention should be considered early enough if you suspect your dog is suffering from cellulitis to prevent the wounds from spreading and causing widespread patches of hair loss.

Mange (Mites)

Mange is very similar to scabies. It is a disease caused by tiny microscopic parasites called mites that can cause an extremely itchy, reddened condition of the skin. ^[1]

Due to the itching, your dog will start losing hair in hot spots and end up with balding patches. These could be on the ears, tail, legs, belly etc. You may observe signs such as the following:

• Patchy hair loss
• Redness or inflammation of the skin
• Crusting of the skin
• Occasionally mild to moderate itching

Mange can be serious in puppies because they have not developed a strong immune system yet.

Pups may not just suffer from spotted hair loss but also a bacterial infection accompanying the sign. The skin will, therefore, start to present as crusty, scaling, and highly inflamed.

4. Autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune skin diseases are relatively rare in dogs. When they occur, not all of them will cause hair fall and thinning. However, diseases such as Pemphigus erythematosus present symptoms such as hair loss on the nose, near paws etc.

You may also notice scales, crusting on the skin and redness.

5. Hormonal problems

Hormonal imbalances can also cause hair loss in dogs. The most common disorders include hypothyroidism, adrenal gland deficiency, and pituitary dwarfism. These have been linked to progressive hair loss.

According to Mercola, thyroid disorders are more common in medium to large dogs between the ages of 4 and 10. Breeds that are at a higher risk of this disorder include Boxers, Cocker Spaniels, Irish Setters, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Greyhounds.

6. Allergies

Allergies are a major cause of hair loss in dogs. Just like human beings, dogs can have allergic reactions to different things including food, parasites (e.g. mites, fleas), and pollen among others.

In most dogs, flea bites are the biggest culprit that causes allergies and patchy hair loss.

Your dog will start to bite and lick the irritated areas and cause wounds. Other than discomfort, you may observe redness and itching.

If your pet is losing hair only a few months of the year, mostly on the flank and back sides, he could be suffering from seasonal flank alopecia.

Some dog breeds are more prone to allergic reactions than others, such as golden retrievers, bulldogs and Yorkshire terriers.

7. Cushing’s disease

This disease is characterized by the overproduction of cortisol, a natural body steroid. Too much cortisol weakens the immune system, leaving your dog vulnerable to skin diseases and other infections. ^[5]

Terriers, Dachshunds, poodles, and spitzs are the most affected dogs. Symptoms include hair loss, irritability, increased panting, easy bruising, increased urination, and thirst, etc.

Take your dog to the vet if you notice any of these signs.

8. Pressure sores

Pressure sores are also called bedsores or decubital ulcers. They are very common in older dogs and large breeds such as the Irish Wolfhound, Labrador retriever, Mastiff, Cane Corso etc. The callused areas on the skin are caused by friction, force, and trauma to the tissue.

Malnourished dogs are also at a higher risk of developing bed sores because they lack enough padding around bony areas.

If he maintains contact with hard surfaces for long periods, he is likely to develop these sores and lose hair in patches on the affected areas.

9. Rashes and hives

Rashes and hives on the skin can easily develop due to insect bites, some medications, shampoos, stings, and chemicals. If the rash is caused by an allergen, a rash will develop in a matter of hours or even minutes. The pet will start to itch and lick, causing hair loss in patches.

Your dog will develop hives if he is exposed to nearly every allergen he is hypersensitive to. The symptoms will include swelling around the eyes, muzzle, excessive scratching (which leads to hair fall), swelling around his eyes etc.

Scabs on the skin

Scabbing occurs as a result of broken skin that later forms a wound. This happens especially if the companion is infested with ectoparasites that irritate the skin forcing him to bite and scratch.

Hair loss and scabbing should be worrying because there is a higher risk of infection, both fungal and bacterial.

Overgrooming, allergies, and parasites are the most likely causes of scabbing on dog’s skin. These, unfortunately, can cause bald spots.

How to stop hair loss in dogs

There are various way of treating balding in dogs. The specific cause of alopecia will have to be treated in order to stop the balding.

Simple solutions can easily get rid of the problem.

For example, provide soft bedding for your dog, especially the old and heavy ones. This will prevent the patches of hair loss on elbows and hocks when laying down. Fabric-covered foam pads and mattresses are the best and can help relieve the pressure on the bony parts.

If pressure sores are infected, see a veterinarian to prescribe medication to heal the areas and prevent the infection from spreading.

Treatment options

Here are other treatment options you could consider.

• Antihistamines and steroids: If the cause of the bald spots on your dog is hives and allergens, steroid and anti-histamine medications can help reduce the reaction and effect on the skin.
• Pet hygiene is also very important. Work hard to prevent mites, ticks, fleas and other pets that can cause licking, itching, biting and scratching.
• If the cause of hair loss is folliculitis and cellulitis, consult a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment. Antibiotic medications will help clear the infection and prevent further balding spots.
• If canine alopecia is caused by hormone imbalance, a hormone therapy can help fix the problem. There are dog hair growth supplements that will help your pet regrow lost hair.
• Nutrition mitigation is also important. Consult a veterinarian to help you choose the right foods specifically for your pet

When to see a vet

It is important that you do not diagnose your own pet if you are not sure of what’s causing the symptoms. See a veterinarian if your dog is losing hair that is accompanied by a bad odor, an infected skin, and severe itching.

A major change in behavior is also alarming and should be properly examined by a vet. If your pet is developing lesions, the dog could be seriously infected and should be treated as soon as possible.

For a dog, dry skin is itchy and uncomfortable. Of course its the same for us humans too, but when we suffer from dry skin, we slather on moisturizer and feel a whole lot better. Unfortunately, that's difficult to do with dogs, given all that fur and hair, but there is still plenty we can do to give them relief - including using a doggie moisturizer!

There are many reasons why your dog's skin may be dry but getting to the root cause is the only way to treat it effectively.

On this page, I've listed the most common reasons why a dog's skin becomes dry, along with how you can resolve it naturally.

These are the main factors that contribute to dry skin in dogs:

If you have an itchy, flaky dog, I can help you to assess whether your dog's itching is due to dry skin (or not) and, most importantly, how to treat it.

That's my dog, Hudson, in the picture to the right, he was always scratching, so he's my poster-child!

After years of trying to alleviate Hudson's itching, without much success, I finally found a plan that works wonders for his coat and completely restored his skin.

I took Hudson to the vet countless times, skin tests were done (all negative), tried lots of different foods and shampoos and kept current with flea and tick treatments, but nothing stopped him scratching.

Warning:

Dry skin with a dull, brittle, thin coat may also be a sign of a protein deficiency. If your dog has these symptoms check with your vet.

He seemed to be getting miserable with constantly scratching and so too was I. So I started on a journey of discovery. It was then that I discovered there were more than a couple of reasons why my dog's skin was dry, and I had to address as many as I could to stop the itching.

How To Determine If Your Dog Has Dry Skin

Is your dog constantly scratching? Does he have flaky skin and a dull coat? Now, ask yourself this - How many of the below causes of dry skin apply to your dog?

If you answered yes to two or more, then chances are your dog's itching is due to dry skin.

Although flakiness isn't always a symptom of dry skin, it can just be itching alone. Hudson had dry itchy, flaky, skin and most of the causes applied to us!

To enable you to do the same for your dog, review the common causes of dry skin in dogs and see if you identify with any.

Top Six Causes of Dry Skin in Dogs

1) Nutrient Deficiency in Diet

Without a doubt, this is by far the easiest way to treat dry skin in dogs.

Dogs need fatty acids in their diet for optimal skin and coat health, especially omega-3 typically found in fish oil. A lack of omega-3 fatty acids is a prevalent cause for dry, flaky skin. Simply adding fish oil (fatty acids) to your dog's diet can help combat dry skin.

Unfortunately, many of the processed dog foods are heated to such high temperatures that even if they contain fatty acids, they are no longer active once they reach your dog's bowl.

The heating process virtually renders them useless, so supplementation of omega-3 is a good fix for dry skin. Salmon oil is an excellent source of omega-3 but make sure you buy one that is from fresh, wild caught Alaskan salmon, not farm-raised. Preferably one that is manufactured in a facility that has received the stamp of Good Manufacturing Practices.

An excellent one to try is Pawsome Naturals Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil.

This is an all natural product and has a nice pump bottle that makes adding the oil to your dog's food easy.

Manufactured in the USA in a facility that conforms to the Good Manufacturing Practices so you can be sure that they've made every possible effort to ensure this product gets to you in the purest, most natural condition.

Also available on Amazon Prime with free 2-day shipping!

2) Over or Under Bathing Your Dog

Ensuring your dog is groomed correctly will affect his or her dry skin. That's why I asked the advice of a professional groomer for the next two sections.

Tarah Schwartz is a professional groomer of seven years and has also worked as a veterinary technician and boarding kennel supervisor. Here's what she says about how grooming affects dry skin.

How Grooming Affects Dry Skin - A Groomers Advice

As you can imagine, how often you bathe your dog and what type of shampoo you use can have a significant impact on his dry skin. Depending on your dog’s breed and skin type, most groomers would recommend bathing every four to six weeks. Even if you use an appropriate shampoo, washing your dog too often can strip his skin of its natural oils and cause itching and flaking. Likewise, not bathing your dog often enough allows the coat’s oils and dead skin to build up which can lead to a matted coat and itchy skin.

Look for a shampoo that’s intended for itchy or sensitive skin. Check the ingredients on the back of the bottle, too. The more natural ingredients you see, the gentler the shampoo will be on your dog’s dry skin. Shampoos containing colloidal oatmeal are excellent for dry skin. The oatmeal soothes irritated skin and balances pH levels. Other ingredients that are great for itchy skin are vitamin E, aloe, and baking soda. Never use human shampoo on your dog. The pH of our skin is very different from dogs, and you can cause further irritation and even inflammation.

The way you bathe your dog is as important as the products you use. When shampooing, be sure that you scrub well enough that the product reaches the skin. You may need a rubber brush to achieve this. Once you’ve scrubbed the shampoo down to the skin, be sure to rinse the coat thoroughly. Left over shampoo in the coat can further irritate dry skin, so when you think you’re done rinsing, rinse one more time.

Consider using additional grooming products such as a moisturizing conditioner or rinse after shampooing. Conditioning rinses can soften the coat and moisturize the skin, making the coat easier to comb between baths. There are also a variety of soothing anti-itch sprays on the market that can be used between baths or on particularly itchy areas or hotspots.

Author: Tarah Schwartz - Professional Groomer

Simply click on any one of the images above to purchase from my secure online store. Or click here to go the store's main page where you'll find a variety of natural products.

3) Under-Grooming

How Undergrooming Affects the Coat - A Groomer's Advice

Regular brushing is essential for the health of a dog’s coat. Without frequent brushing, dead skin and hair build up and trap dirt and oil on the surface of your dog’s skin. Depending on your dog’s coat type, you may also find that his coat will become matted more quickly as the dead hair and skin builds up. Regular grooming not only removes dead skin and hair but also distributes the skin’s natural oils more evenly, resulting in a healthier, shinier coat.

As with bathing, it’s important to not only have the right tools but to use them correctly. First, find the right type of comb or brush for your dog’s coat type. If you aren’t sure what works best for your breed, ask your local groomer for advice. Once you have the right tool, you can start brushing. Make sure you brush down to the skin to remove all the dead hair and pore-clogging dander but be careful not to scratch or scrape your dog’s sensitive skin.

Dogs with long, thick, or double coats will need more frequent brushing. Daily brushing is ideal, but two to four times per week will also work well. If your dog sheds seasonally, you may need to brush him more often during periods of heavy shedding. Short haired dogs will need brushing less often, but regular grooming is still vital to the health of the dog’s skin and coat.

Author: Tarah Schwartz - Professional Groomer

4) Dry Climate or Forced Air Heating

Basically, the drier the air, the more likely your dog will have dry skin. If you live in an area with a dry climate, then your dog is more likely to suffer from dry skin. The most common places for this type of weather is southwest United States, northern Mexico, Argentina, North Africa, South Africa and central parts of Australia. If you live in a dry climate, I'm sure you're already aware that's it dry, but here is a list of the driest cities in the United States.

Having said that, you don't have to live in a dry climate for your dog to suffer from dry skin. Many dogs outside these areas have dry skin too, especially if they spend a lot of time indoors or meet all the other criteria above.

Forced air heating is another contributing factor that dries out a dog's skin. As the temperature outdoors drops we typically crank up the heat indoors, which causes the skin to dry out and there you have a perfect recipe for an itchy, scratchy dog.

If your best pal spends most of his time indoors (as mine do), a humidifier will help to stop his skin (and yours) from drying out. Adding a humidifier to your home will mean the air will be more humid which makes it feel warmer at cooler temperatures, so you'll be more comfortable with a lower thermostat setting. The humidity is also much better for skin (dogs and humans) and has the added benefit of reducing your overall heating costs.

You can get humidifiers that add moisture to a specific room or if you want to increase the humidity in the entire house you can opt for a unit that attaches directly to your existing furnace which will pump additional moisture into all rooms.

5) Neutering/Spaying

Dry Spot Dog Nose

Dogs that are neutered or spayed have a much higher risk of suffering from skin and coat problems, unusually dry skin. Removing sex hormones can upset the natural balance of hormones that also regulate oil production in the skin/coat.

I'm not saying you shouldn't neuter or spay your dogs, there are many good arguments for spaying and neutering, and my dog, Hudson, was neutered at 11 months old.

Nevertheless, it is helpful to know that we need to be more aware of potential skin and coat problems, mainly dry skin, if our dogs are neutered/spayed.

6) The impact of Toxins on the Skin

Many skin conditions, including dry skin, are the result of a build-up of toxins in the body. If a dog's body or immune system is unable to eliminate waste effectively, the body tries to push the problem outward towards the skin.

In this case, the skin becomes overburdened as the body attempts to steer the toxins away from the vital organs.

Adding healing herbs that work to eliminate these toxins will help to restore your dog's skin and coat. Herbs that support the liver and blood work particularly well in this case.

Herbs That Treat Dry Skin

Burdock Root - is a valuable herb in many skin conditions unusually dry or scaly skin. Acting as a blood cleanser, it's particularly helpful in removing toxins from the liver and skin. Burdock is a powerful liver tonic which also helps to clean and build the blood.

Yellow Dock - is used extensively for all skin problems and also aids in eliminating toxins from the liver. Yellow Dock is a quick-cleansing herb that stimulates bile products and helps with cleaning the blood. It's particularly useful for treating chronic skin conditions that may be attributed to toxic build-up.

Red Clover - has been used in the treatment as a blood-purifying agent for hundreds of years. Packed full of nutrients and chemical compounds that are effective against many skin disorders. Red Clover has the added benefit of being an anticancer herb.

Below you'll find a simple home remedy using these herbs to treat dry skin.

Other Potential Skin Problems

Finally, and before you treat your dog's dry skin, you need to ensure that it is dry skin you're dealing with and not some other underlying cause.

Suspect a skin infection if you dog has open sores, pimples, or is shaking his head a lot.

Suspect allergies if itching is linked to warmer weather or is all year long.

Suspect dandruff if there are large flakes present or thinning of fur.

There are two different types of dandruff; dogs with oily skin or dogs with dry skin.

Suspect Mange if itching is severe that dog scratches himself raw and is losing fur.

Dry Spots Around Dogs Eyes

If you're still unsure if your dog's itching is due to dry skin, you can also try our 3 simple steps to identify other possible dog skin conditions.

Now, let's get to the treatment!

Treatment for Dogs With Dry Skin

After much trial and error, this is the treatment plan that I found works well for my dog's dry skin.

Every day I supplement Hudson's dinner with salmon oil. Even though he only really suffers from dry skin in the winter I still use salmon oil during the summer.

Reason being, supplements work best when they are given over more extended periods and can take a few months to get into their system to start working to support the skin.

I give him a good brush daily to stimulate his natural oils and to keep his skin in good condition.

Dog Dry Skin Shampoo

On a monthly basis I bathe Hudson with a good quality colloidal oatmeal shampoo and moisturizing rinse. You can use any brand of dog shampoo (not human), but check the ingredients to ensure it contains colloidal oatmeal AND that it doesn't contain a ton of synthetic ingredients.

If you see a whole list of long names that you have no idea what they are, then stay away from that product, it may do more harm than good. Even though it may still contain colloidal oatmeal, the other (synthetic ingredients) will probably outweigh the oatmeal proving it to be less effective in relieving your dog's dry skin.

The best products I found for dry skin is the Nature's Specialties range. They use the best natural ingredients which are nontoxic and biodegradable. I love this range and use it on my dogs all the time. I like colloidal oatmeal shampoo and moisturizing rinse that works well for dry skin in dogs.

Used by many competitive groomers, Nature's Specialties are recognized in the grooming industry as the best premium products available today.

After shampooing, thoroughly rinse with warm water and make double-sure that you rinse all the shampoo out. Next, use a good moisturizing rinse that gets right into the skin. This step is the key to treating your dog's dry skin and stop the scratching.

Tip:

You can also apply Vitamin E as a massaging oil as close to the skin as you can.

I don't use this as it's quite tricky on longer coated dogs (like Hudson's) and I don't find I need to with Nature's Specialties range.

You can buy a doggie moisturizing conditioner rinse, (again, check the ingredients).

I use Nature's Specialties Colloidal Oatmeal Creme Rinse which compliments the shampoo. It's super concentrated so a little goes a long way and works brilliantly.

Finish by washing the moisturizing rinse off leaving your dog's coat silky and soft and his skin re-moisturized.

Anti-Itch Spray to Treat An Itchy Dog

An anti-itch spray stops the itching immediately and can be used after the shampoo and conditioner. It can also be used alone to stop itching and is great for use in-between baths. The spray is a naturally medicated solution that contains antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties that not only work to relieve itching due to dry skin but can be used to relieve itching due to a range of skin irritation such as hot spots, yeast, and dandruff.

Herbal Remedy for Dry Skin in Dogs

Ingredients:

1. Combine equal parts of:
   Burdock Root
   Yellow Dock
   Red Clover
2. Grind ingredients well in spice or coffee grinder
3. Sprinkle on food once per day according to dog's weight (see chart below).

Dog's Weight

• 1- 10 lbs.
• 10 - 20 lbs
• 20 - 50 lbs.
• 50 - 100 lbs.
• Over 100 lbs.

Sprinkle on Dog's Food
(once per day)

• a small pinch
• a bigger pinch
• 2 pinches to 1 teaspoon
• 2 pinches to 2 teaspoons
• up to 1 tablespoon

Medication for Dog Dry Skin

If your dog has severe itching, you can also include an antihistamine, but check with your vet. Start with the baths, moisturizing rinses and spray first, before you add an antihistamine. If you're using a different brand shampoo, it may be worth swapping to Nature's Specialties range before adding an antihistamine.

An excellent antihistamine to try is Diphenhydramine (generic Benadryl). One brand many dog owner's use, is Banophen.

Dosage for Diphenhydramine (25mg)

1mg per pound of body weight 2/3 times per day

e.g. 75lb dog = 3 x 25mg tablets 3 times a day.

WARNING: Do not use any kind of antihistamine that contains decongestants or one that is used to treat multi-symptoms such as cold and flu medicines. These are toxic to dogs.
It should only contain Diphenhydramine as the active ingredient.

Diphenhydramine may causes drowsiness, see here for antihistamine alternatives.

Quick Check List to Treat Your Dog's Dry Skin

• Add essential fatty acid supplements to your dog's diet (wild Alaskan salmon oil)
• Daily brushing
• Regular baths with oatmeal shampoo (once a month)
• Finish bath with a moisturizing rinse and/or anti-itch spray
• Antihistamines (if severe)
• Install humidifiers in living/sleeping areas
  

Remember: If you are not sure your dog's itching is caused by dry skin, review the symptom checker on Dog Skin Conditions.

Other Pages You Might Like.....

Top of Page

Home ›Dog Skin Conditions ›Dry Skin
Home ›Itchy Dog ›Dry Skin