Itching in dogs is an ordinary condition that a dog faces frequently. While the situation is not dangerous, it can lead to significant health conditions if not treated within time. Hence, it is essential to provide your dog with essential raw dog food and learn how you can soothe a dog who is itching a lot. This blog will help you with some tips to soothe your dog in such a condition.
What Is Pruritus?
Pruritus, in layman’s terms, is itching. It is a common symptom of many skin conditions, including allergies, infections, flea bites, etc. You may have heard your dog scratching incessantly at its fur—or maybe even seen it rubbing up against furniture, other dogs, or people—only to find small red bumps all over its backside. These are called “hot spots” and are often caused by allergies or skin irritation.
It is vital to prevent excessive itching because if your dog continues to itch, it will scratch or bite and do damage to himself.
How Do You Know Your Dog Has a Skin Condition?
Your dog’s skin is itchy, and she’s showing signs of discomfort. She is scratching, licking, biting her body, and maybe even rubbing herself against things. Does this sound familiar? If so, these tell-tale signs define that your dog is suffering from a skin condition. However, the itching can signify several diseases, including allergies, infection, and other skin conditions.
If you’ve noticed these signs in your dog but aren’t sure whether they’re due to an abnormal or irritating skin condition, an infection, or both, it is best to soothe your dog first. You might have to take your dog to a vet if the itching persists.
How to Soothe Your Dog Who Is Having Itching Sensation
There are several ways to soothe your dog who is facing pruritus. Some of these ways include:
Use Apoquel for Dogs
Apoquel is a non-sedating antihistamine. It’s the first in the U.S. to have FDA approval for use in dogs with allergies, anxiety, and itching. This drug has been used to treat pruritus or intense itching that can lead to scratching or chewing due to allergies, eczema, food hypersensitivity, Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD), Atopic Dermatitis (AD), scabies, bacterial infections, and other causes of itchy skin.
Hence, the best and easiest way to soothe your dog is to use Apoquel for dogs. You can easily find the medication online or from a pet store. Apoquel targets the nervous system signals that cause the itching sensation. The medicine helps relieve the itching feeling by blocking these signals, thereby soothing your dog.
Bathe Your Dog
Bathing your dog is one of the best ways to address the itching that comes with an allergy or dermatitis. While this can be a stressful experience for you and your pet, it’s important to remember that dogs are naturally clean creatures. They enjoy being bathed because they like being clean!
If your dog has never been bathed before, check with your vet to ensure he/she is healthy enough for a bath. Most dogs don’t mind baths unless they have had a traumatic experience with water. If that’s the case, try acclimating them gradually to the idea of water by bathing them in shallow pools or tubs over time until you feel comfortable giving them their first full-body wash.
The easiest way to bathe your pup at home is by using an adjustable tub or bucket from which you’ll fill up a bucket full of warm water. Use warm water instead of hot so as not to burn your pup. Fill up another bucket with warm water mixed with shampoo and pour it over him/her several times. It would help if you considered a shampoo specifically made for dogs. If you know the underlying cause of itching, it is best to use a shampoo made for that.
Take care not to get your dog’s face wet with shampoo water; it’s only supposed to go on the body. Once done, rinse off all shampoo residue with clear running water until there’s no more foam coming out from behind ears and paws, etc., then towel dry him/her gently.
Aloe Vera Is the Best Natural Option
Aloe Vera is a natural anti-inflammatory and has anti-itch properties. This makes it an effective treatment for pruritus in dogs. Aloe vera can be applied directly to the skin, or you can use it as a shampoo or spray. You can also buy aloe vera gel or ointment from your vet’s office and apply it topically to the affected area of your dog’s body.
Most dogs seem to like how aloe vera feels on their skin, but some may be uncomfortable with having anything applied directly to them at first. If this is the case with your dog, start by massaging the gel into your dog’s fur until he gets used to it being there before applying it directly onto his body.
Skip Shampoo at Bathtime
Shampoos are often too harsh for dogs’ skin; some may even contain perfumes that can trigger an allergic reaction or irritate your dog’s skin. Instead, try using a mild soap and rinse well.
After bathing your dog:
- Avoid using perfume products because they can also be irritating.
- Don’t forget to dry your dog thoroughly after washing them. This will help prevent irritation from moisture that builds up under their fur.
- Use a gentle towel to dry them off, avoiding rough materials like terry cloth towels or old T-shirts.
If you have access to one, use a blow dryer with a low heat setting to help speed up the drying process—but don’t turn it on too high or let it get too close! Finally: no electric shavers! These could cause further irritation by scratching up their skin or breaking the top layer of hair follicles open, which may lead to infections down the line if left untreated.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading my post! Hopefully, these tips will help you soothe your dog’s itching and keep them comfortable. Please feel free to share this blog post with anyone who might find it helpful! While these tips can help soothe your dog, it is best to visit a veterinarian if the symptoms persist.
