Natural Remedies For Your Dog With Dry Skin
Our dogs love a good scratch. Behind their ears, on their bellies… But if they start to scratch relentlessly, you could be dealing with a dog with dry skin (and that’s not a fun time for anyone). But hang in there, furry friends, we’ve got some natural remedies you’re going to drool over.
Symptoms of Dry Skin on Dogs
There are a few things to look out for to determine whether your little mate is suffering from dry skin. The first, most obvious sign, is excessive itching. If they’re scratching like there’s no tomorrow, take a closer look and see whether they’ve got flaking skin. A small amount of flaking is normal – but white speckles all over their coat isn’t. More serious symptoms include redness and inflammation, and this may be due to an underlying disease (and may warrant a trip to the vet).
But more often than not, dry skin is nothing serious.
What Causes Dry Skin on Dogs?
There are a number of reasons your dog could be starting an itch-fest. It could be something as simple as their diet, or something a little more serious. So, here are 4 common causes…
Poor diet
Just like humans, dogs are what they eat. And beware – there are some substandard food choices on the supermarket shelves. If their food lacks protein, vitamins and essential fatty acids – it could start to cause problems on their insides and outside.
Allergies
Dog’s get allergies, too. It could be seasonal (like pollen and dust) , environmental, topical or food related. If you’re unsure what’s causing your pooch’s allergies, it’s best to visit a vet.
Harsh soaps
We all know what it feels like to use a harsh human soap (ugh!) And it’s the exact same for our furry friends. There are some harsh soaps out there that may irritate their skin and strip it of its natural oils. Thankfully, this ones an easy fix (more on that in a minute).
Underlying disease
While we certainly hope not, your best mate could be suffering from an underlying disease that’s causing them to scratch. Issues like parasites, infection and auto-immune diseases can cause discomfort on their skin.
How to Treat Dry Skin on Dogs (The Natural Way)
If you’re unsure what is causing your furry friends dry skin, it’s a good idea to visit the vet. But if the root of the problem is their diet or dog wash, there are some barking good natural cures for dog itching…
By feeding your dog nutritious, delicious and high-quality food, they can eat their way to better skin. Dog food for dry skin should be high in protein, vitamins and essential fatty acids. An easy way to add nutrients to their diet is through a nourishing hemp oil. Hemp Collective’s Pet Balance Pet Oil is packed with so many goodies, including fibre, protein, calcium, magnesium, potassium and the optimal balance of Omega fatty acids (3, 6 & 9). A few drops a day keeps the vet away (that’s not really a saying, but we think it should be).
And if you think harsh soaps are the problem, make the switch to natural dog wash. Hemp Collective’s Natural Pet Shampoo Bar replenishes the natural moisture balance of their skin and coat. Free from any chemicals, we only use plant-derived ingredients that alleviate allergies and skin irritations. And less scratching makes for a happy pooch